Haematological changes and up-regulation of P-selectin expression in circulating platelets of Indian women chronically exposed to emissions from biomass fuels

Blood cell counts and P-selectin expression of the circulating platelets of 37 Indian women that were chronically exposed to smoke from biomass fuel burning during cooking were evaluated. A total of 22 rural women that cook using LPG were simultaneously examined as controls. The biomass fuel users showed a significant reduction (p = < 0.05) in haemoglobin levels and erythrocyte counts and elevation (p = < 0.05) in total leukocytes, neutrophils and platelet counts. P-selectin expressing platelets were 8.6 ± 0.7% in biomass fuel users compared to 1.6 ± 0.2% in the controls. The absolute number of P-selectin expressing platelets was 8.3 times higher in biomass fuel users, and this increase also correlated with the number of years of exposure. The results demonstrated haematological alterations and remarkable activation of platelets in women chronically exposed to emissions from biomass fuel burning.