High Serum Lead Levels Increase the Incidence of Cognitive Impairment of Public Fueling Station Operators

BACKGROUND: Air pollution due to lead contained in motor vehicle fuel is inhaled for a long period causing cognitive impairment. Cognitive disorders in general fuel station operators are found in developing countries as a negative impact of environmental pollution. AIM: This study aims to find out that high levels of lead in the blood increase the risk of cognitive impairment in operators of Public Fuel Filling Stations. METHODS: This was a case-control study design to determine high lead levels in the blood increasing the risk of cognitive impairment in operators of General Fuel Filling Stations. There were 76 study subjects consisting of 38 case groups and 38 control groups. RESULTS: Obtained lead levels of all research subjects in normal criteria (1.1-5.58 µg/dL). We used MoCA-Ina (a validated Indonesian version of MoCA questionnaire) to evaluate the cognitive function. High lead levels in the blood in the case group were 28 subjects (66.7%) and 14 subjects (33.7%) in the control group. Factors that significantly affected the occurrence of cognitive disorders are work periods of more than 3 years, which are 4 times higher risk of experiencing cognitive impairment (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: High lead levels in the blood have a 6 times greater risk of cognitive impairment than subjects with not high blood lead levels and work periods of more than 3 years have a risk of 6 times greater cognitive impairment.