HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF LEBANESE AND SYRIAN REFUGEES LIVING IN PROXIMITY OF DEIR KANOUN RAS EL AIN DUMP IN LEBANON

Authors

Jamilah Borjac, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow
Manal El Joumaa, Master Student, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow
Mohamad Darwiche, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow
Diane Blake, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USAFollow

English Title

Effect of Pollution on Cell Blood Count

Keywords

Complete blood count; Hematological parameters; Anemia; Pollution; Dump

Disciplines

Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Anemia is one of the most common diseases that are associated with pollutants exposure. A complete blood count test (CBC) can determine the presence of abnormal hematological parameters and diagnose many serious preventable disorders including anemia. To assess the associations between exposure to pollutants and hematologic parameters among Lebanese inhabitants and Syrian refugees, who were exposed to toxic fumes emanating from Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain dump, a population-based study involving 679 Lebanese and Syrian Refugees living in the three villages Deir Kanoun, Klayleh and Smaiyeh was carried out. Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes. CBC tests were performed and differences were statistically analyzed between different villages, sexes, nationalities, and age groups. Many blood parameters showed abnormal levels indicating hematological disorders including anemia, infections, allergy, and inflammation. Similar trends of abnormal CBC parameters were observed among the three villages. The highest percentage of abnormal erythrocyte parameters was found in Klayleh, while for leukocyte parameters, the highest was in Smaiyeh. Significant differences were observed between sexes and nationalities that may be associated with low income, environmental pollution and poor hygiene. This paper investigates and highlights the associations of living in a polluted area and the abnormal trends of CBC parameters. They emphasize the damaging effect of Deir Kanoun Dump on all inhabitants of the surrounding region calling for immediate intervention from the Lebanese government to find solutions.

Recommended Citation

Borjac, Jamilah; El Joumaa, Manal; Darwiche, Mohamad; and Blake, Diane (2020) "HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF LEBANESE AND SYRIAN REFUGEES LIVING IN PROXIMITY OF DEIR KANOUN RAS EL AIN DUMP IN LEBANON," BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2789-8288.1049