Table 4. The key findings of this narrative review.

MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin; MCHC: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration.

Key findings of this paper

Dust of cement may have damaging and often irreversible negative impacts on human health

Several transition metals are components of this dust including lead, hexavalent chromium, and cadmium

Such metals promote inflammation, inhibit heme synthesis, compete with iron absorption, and cause the formation of reactive oxygen species

This study observed a reduction in MCH and MCHC in subjects with cement dust contact compared to the control subjects. Moreover, a significant decrease in MCHC was noted with increasing duration of cement dust contact in those occupationally exposed to this dust

Such alterations in MCHC may suggest the impact of inflammatory changes on the hematological system and may be used to detect early changes due to inflammation in the human body

Checking parameters like MCH and MCHC is easy to perform, affordable, and accessible and thus may be included as part of the routine physical examination of the occupational dust of cement-exposed workers

Early detection of inflammation is necessary to prevent irreversible damage to the health of workers, and in addition, awareness needs to be developed among these workers concerning the harmful effects of being in contact with the dust of cement, and they must be encouraged to use personal protective gear while working in this dusty environment