A doctoral dissertation in the Department of Environmental Science at the College of Science, Al-Qadisiyah University, entitled “Assessment of the Environmental and Health Status of Auto Repair Shop Workers in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq,” was discussed. The dissertation was presented by researcher Salah Karim Safi and supervised by Professor Dr. Haider Mashkour Hussein.
The study aimed to assess the levels of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, and zinc) in the soil of auto repair shops, measure the physicochemical properties of the soil, and evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals in the blood, serum, and fingernails of exposed workers. It also investigated the associated health effects by measuring hematological stress indicators, liver and kidney function, and blood lipids. Additionally, the study assessed the level of DNA damage using the Comet Assay and conducted a comprehensive assessment of cancerous and non-cancer health risks.
The results showed severe heavy metal contamination in the workshop soil, exceeding forty times the levels of some metals compared to residential soil, accompanied by a significant increase in concentrations of… Cadmium, chromium, and zinc were found in the blood of workers. The study also revealed significant hematological and lipid abnormalities and clear genomic damage to DNA in those exposed compared to the control group, with marginal cancer risks necessitating urgent regulatory and preventative intervention
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