THE IMPACT OF HEAT AND NOISE EXPOSURE ON SOME ADRENAL STRESS HORMONES IN GLASS INDUSTRY

Abstract

The etfect of heat and noise exposure as physical stress factors was studied in 54 workers in glass manufacturing industry by measunng adrenal stress hormones (serum cortisol, serum dopamine & urinary VMA) before and at mid shift. The workers were divided into 3 groups (glass sheet, manual and automated) with variable exposures to heat and noise. They were compared with a control group not exposed to occupational heat and noise. The levels of hormones were highly significantly increased during work-shift, compared with baseline levels and highly significant differences in comparing the values of each stress hormone within each of the 3 groups of exposed workers.