Application of Clinical Biochemistry in Occupational Health Monitoring at Petroleum Facilities in Delta State

Workers in petroleum production and processing facilities in Delta State face chronic low-level exposure to hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and petrochemical solvents that may produce measurable subclinical biochemical toxicity detectable through structured occupational health monitoring programmes. This study applies clinical biochemistry methods to occupational health monitoring of workers at two petroleum facilities in Warri, Delta State. A cross-sectional occupational health survey enrolled one hundred and forty workers across production, processing, and administrative departments. Blood and urine samples were collected and analysed for a panel of occupational health biomarkers including serum ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP as hepatotoxicity markers; serum creatinine, cystatin C, and urine microalbumin as nephrotoxicity markers; full blood count for haematotoxicity; urinary benzene metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid by HPLC as a specific benzene exposure biomarker; and blood lead by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results show significantly elevated GGT and ALP in production and processing workers compared to administrative workers, suggesting hepatic enzyme induction from hydrocarbon exposure. Urinary trans,trans-muconic acid was detectable in 64 percent of production workers. Blood lead exceeded the reference threshold in 28 percent of production workers. Microalbuminuria was present in 19 percent of processing department workers. Duration of employment in production roles correlated positively with biochemical marker elevations. The study recommends implementation of a standardized annual biochemical occupational health monitoring protocol at Delta State petroleum facilities. Keywords: occupational health, biochemical monitoring, petroleum workers, hepatotoxicity, Delta State.