The Impact of Cortisol Levels on Occupational Stress Among Workers

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to test whether coal mine workers, who are known to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), have higher concentrations of cortisol in their serum. Cortisol is a stress hormone that increases under stress. It is produced from the adrenal cortex, and due to high levels of cortisol, the physiology of the body changes. We found that the level of cortisol increased with stress. The present study evaluated the effects of coal toxicants on biomarkers of stress (cortisol) among occupational coal mine workers.

Methods: Data from two groups of coal mine workers with physically demanding job stress, morning shift workers (N=40) and night shift workers (40), were collected. The workers in the mines were mostly shift workers. Result: Most workers did not use protective measures such as face masks, goggles or gloves. We identified different problems in mine workers. These patients experienced weight loss (42%), body rash (65.4%), body swelling (39.5%), body pain (70%), headache (32%), sputum (71.6%), allergies (46.9%), cough (37%), and fever. (35.8%), eye pain (80.2%), back pain (27.2%), skin diseases (75.3%), vomiting (74.1%), convulsions (80.2%), asthma (59.3%), pneumonia (88.9%), and arrhythmia (51.9%). The levels of cortisol were high among workers who weighed 61–80 kg. The level of cortisol is greater among individuals who are obese. We evaluated the high level of cortisol among workers who had worked for more than 8 hours. The duration of working hours is responsible for increasing stress. We observed low levels of cortisol among workers with low liver fat contents. The levels of cortisol decrease with increasing service duration and age of workers. Therefore, more experienced workers have low levels of cortisol. Conclusion: The results suggest that the level of cortisol is greater among those who have worked for more than 8 hours and remain under more stressful conditions.

Keywords:  Cardiovascular Disease; Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis; Radioimmunoassay; Work Hours