TITLE:
The Impact of Occupational Exposure to Aromatic Hydrocarbons on the Functional State of the Liver and Hematopoietic System
AUTHORS:
Sanja Brekalo-Lazarević, Senad Brzović, Hana Alihodžić, Emir Horozić, Ivana Lazarević
KEYWORDS:
Organic Solvents, Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Blood Parameters, Liver Enzymes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.15 No.11,
November
10,
2025
ABSTRACT: Workers in coke plants are potentially exposed to emissions from coke ovens, which contain hundreds of chemicals and are primarily composed of aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. Within the framework of this study, the primary objective was to investigate the impact of aromatic hydrocarbon vapors on the functional state of the liver and hematopoietic system, as well as to determine the association between occupational exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic damage to the liver and hematopoietic system. The liver function profile included serum levels of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and total bilirubin. To assess the functional state of the hematopoietic system, basic blood parameters (erythrocytes, leukocytes, hemoglobin, and platelets) were determined. This study was conducted as a retrospective study including 100 workers from the coke industry, who were divided into two groups: the experimental group consisting of 50 coke plant workers employed at workplaces exposed to aromatic hydrocarbon vapors, and the control group consisting of 50 administrative workers and others not exposed to aromatic hydrocarbon vapors. The obtained results indicate that there is a statistically significant difference in AST, ALT, GGT, and total bilirubin levels between the experimental and control groups. AST values were 39% higher in the experimental group compared to the control group, ALT values were higher by 67.7%, GGT values by 91.5%, and total bilirubin values by 14.5%. Statistically significant differences in blood parameters (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, leukocytes, and platelets) between the experimental and control groups were not found. These findings suggest that routine liver function monitoring may serve as an effective early screening measure for workers chronically exposed to aromatic hydrocarbon vapors.