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Cardiac stress in glass bangle workers.
S K Rastogi1, B N Gupta, T Husain
1Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.
Summary
Glass bangle workers experience a significantly higher cardiac cost of work due to heat exposure. Their pulse rates increase substantially compared to unexposed controls, indicating occupational heat stress.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Physiology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Glass bangle industry workers face extreme heat and radiant heat exposure.
- Occupational heat stress can significantly impact cardiovascular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cardiac cost of work and recovery pulse rates in glass bangle workers.
- To compare cardiovascular responses between heat-exposed workers and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Assessed pulse rate changes during work shifts in 38 glass bangle workers and 15 controls.
- Measured basal and post-work pulse rates under occupational heat conditions (46.2°C radiant heat, 38.2°C ambient temperature).
Main Results:
- Exposed workers showed a significantly higher cardiac cost of work (33.2 beats/min) compared to controls (7.8 beats/min) (P < 0.001).
- Pulse rate increased from a basal 80.0 beats/min to 113.2 beats/min in exposed workers.
- Workers performing strenuous tasks like 'belanias' exhibited the highest pulse rate increase (42.0 beats/min).
Conclusions:
- Prolonged occupational heat exposure in the glass bangle industry imposes a substantial cardiac workload.
- Job-specific strenuousness influences the degree of cardiovascular strain experienced by workers.
- Findings highlight the need for heat stress mitigation strategies in this industry.