Effect of Long Term Exposure to Cotton Dust on Blood Pressure in Textile Mill Workers

Background: Industrial pollution is a major occupational problem in developing countries. With rapid industrialization, the cotton dust induced lung diseases are poised to become a global health problem. The cotton dust penetrates the lungs of exposed persons and acts as a pro-inflammatory component which damages the structure of pulmonary endothelium. The endothelial damage results in shedding of angiotensin converting enzyme and as a result, angiotensin II also decreases. Aim: To determine and correlate blood pressure and serum angiotensin II levels with duration of exposure to cotton dust in textile mill workers. Methods: This study was conducted in a textile mill of Faisalabad. Eighty four conveniently selected workers participated in the research study who had been working in cotton industry for last 3-10 years. Data collection was done via questionnaire, blood pressure was measurement manually and serum angiotensin II levels were estimated via ELISA. Results: There was no significant difference of systolic B.P between the three groups, control group, group II and group III. Serum angiotensin II levels were significantly lower in group II and group III as compared to that in control group. Conclusion: Exposure to cotton dust damages the pulmonary endothelium and ultimately decreases the levels of serum angiotensin II in exposed persons.