The Environmental Impact of Exposure to Pollutants from the Qayyarah Refinery South of Mosul on Workers’ Health

Section: Articles
Issue
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Rafidain Environment
Pages
27-39

Abstract


   The current study aimed to evaluate the environmental impact of gaseous emissions released from oil production and refining operations at the Qayyarah refinery, located south of Mosul, on the health and functions of certain vital organs of the workers. A total of (100) blood samples were collected from refinery workers and classified into two groups: the fully exposed group and the non-exposed group (control). Furthermore, these samples were divided according to years of service into three groups: the first group (less than 5 years), the second group (5–10 years), and the third group (more than 10 years). In addition, (30) blood samples were collected from healthy, non-smoking individuals for comparison purposes.Hematological analyses were conducted, including the measurement of hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBCs), white blood cell count (WBCs), and platelet count. The results indicated noticeable differences between the exposed workers and the control group. A significant increase was observed in hemoglobin concentration, where the highest value reached (17.56 g/100 ml). A significant rise in PCV levels was also recorded among all studied groups, with the highest value (53.3%). As for RBCs, a non-significant increase was observed in the first group (5.7×10⁹/L), while the second and third groups showed significant increases, with the highest averages recorded at (5.55) and (6.172×10⁹/L), respectively.The results further revealed a significant increase in platelet counts among all groups, with the highest value reaching (241×10⁹/L), along with variations according to years of service (233, 229, and 221×10⁹/L, respectively). Likewise, WBC counts showed a significant increase in the workers’ blood, with the highest value recorded at (11×10⁹/L). Based on years of service, the averages were (7.45), (7.45), (6.89), and (6.79×10⁹/L), respectively, when compared with the control group.

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Authors

Ahmed Essa Wahbi

Shaimaa Khalil Abdullah Al-Hayali

Mahmood Ismail Mohammed Al-Jubouri

Identifiers

DOI: 10.33899/jre.v4i2.64216

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