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Wang S, Luo J, Zhang F, Zhang R, Ju W, Wu N, Zhang J, Liu Y. Association between blood volatile organic aromatic compound concentrations and hearing loss in US adults. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:623. [PMID: 38413886 PMCID: PMC10897984 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, collectively referred to as benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BEX), constitute the main components of volatile organic aromatic compounds (VOACs) and can have adverse effects on human health. The relationship between exposure to BEX and hearing loss (HL) in the adult U.S. population was aimed to be assessed. METHODS Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2003-2004, 2011-2012, and 2015-2016 were analyzed. This dataset included complete demographic characteristics, pure-tone audiometry measurements, and volatile organic compound detection data from the NHANES database. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was employed to investigate the associations between blood BEX concentrations HL, low-frequency hearing loss (SFHL), and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). RESULTS 2174 participants were included, with weighted prevalence rates of HL, SFHL, and HFHL being 46.81%, 25.23%, and 45.86%, respectively. Exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, and cumulative BEX concentrations increased the risk of hearing loss (odds ratios [ORs] were 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.23, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). In the analysis with SFHL as the outcome, ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.26, 1.21, 1.28, 1.20, and 1.25, respectively; all P < 0.05). For HFHL, exposure to ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.22, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our study indicated that a positive correlation between individual or cumulative exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene and the risk of HL, SFHL, and HFHL. Further research is imperative to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which organic compounds, notably BEX, in causing hearing loss and to validate these findings in longitudinal environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senlin Wang
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Luo
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Ruimin Zhang
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wantao Ju
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nianwei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
- Research Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China.
| | - Yanjun Liu
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
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Goodarzi Z, Khavanin A, Karami E, Rashidy-Pour A, Belji Kangarlou M, Kiani M, Razmjouei J. Otoprotective Effects of Quercetin Against Oxidative Damage in the Rat's Cochlea Induced by Noise and Silver Nanoparticles. Neuroscience 2023; 531:99-116. [PMID: 37714258 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the otoprotective effects of Quercetin (Que) against both noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and the ototoxicity of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in rats. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 6): control, SNPs, Que (100 mg/kg) plus SNPs (100 mg/kg), noise (104 dB), Que plus noise, noise plus SNPs, and noise plus Que plus SNPs. In the weight change results, there was no significant difference between the groups exposed to noise plus SNPs and SNPs compared to the control group. However, animals had significant changes in DPOAE amplitude at 1 and 3 days post-exposure when compared to baseline. Additionally, the DPOAE value of rats administered with Que plus SNPs was higher than in all other groups. Que also decreased the levels of TACT, MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and NOX3 in the groups exposed to noise and SNPs and increased the SOD level and expression of myosin heavy chain VII (MYH7) and β-tubulin III (TUBB3) proteins. Furthermore, Que decreased structural changes in the animals' cochlea. Our findings indicate that pretreatment with Que efficiently counteracted the adverse effects of noise and SNPs on inner hair cell, outer hair cell, and nerve cells, which are responsible for high-frequency perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Goodarzi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Khavanin
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Esmaeil Karami
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Marzieh Belji Kangarlou
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrafarin Kiani
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jaleh Razmjouei
- Masters of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran.
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Beaver C, Schneider J. Evaluating the potential impact of ototoxicant exposure on worker health. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2023; 20:520-535. [PMID: 37540204 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2240874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to ototoxicants, substances that can cause hearing loss alone or exacerbate hearing loss when exposure occurs in combination with noise, is a workplace hazard that is poorly understood. A review of existing research indicates that some solvents and heavy metals may be ototoxic, but few studies have attempted to estimate the impact of ototoxicant exposure on the United States worker population. Researchers examined trends in workplace exposure to ototoxicants among workers in the United States by comparing exposure data collected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration against worker hearing loss data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2012-2019. The study found that the noise exposure data was strongly correlated to the hearing loss data using Pearson's correlation (p < .001), confirming that the exposure data collected by OSHA is predictive of the risk of occupational illness as reported by BLS. Chi-square analysis indicates that reported hearing loss was more common among industry subsectors with exposure to ototoxicants than those without exposure to ototoxicants. These findings suggest that workers with coexposure to ototoxicants and noise may be at a higher risk of experiencing hearing loss than those exposed to noise alone, and action should be taken to minimize this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Beaver
- Collaboratory for Resiliency and Recovery, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer Schneider
- Collaboratory for Resiliency and Recovery, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA
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The role of calcium, Akt and ERK signaling in cadmium-induced hair cell death. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 124:103815. [PMID: 36634791 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to heavy metals has been shown to cause damage to a variety of different tissues and cell types including hair cells, the sensory cells of our inner ears responsible for hearing and balance. Elevated levels of one such metal, cadmium, have been associated with hearing loss and shown to cause hair cell death in multiple experimental models. While the mechanisms of cadmium-induced cell death have been extensively studied in other cell types they remain relatively unknown in hair cells. We have found that calcium signaling, which is known to play a role in cadmium-induced cell death in other cell types through calmodulin and CaMKII activation as well as IP3 receptor and mitochondrial calcium uniporter mediated calcium flow, does not appear to play a significant role in cadmium-induced hair cell death. While calmodulin inhibition can partially protect hair cells this may be due to impacts on mechanotransduction activity. Removal of extracellular calcium, and inhibiting CaMKII, the IP3 receptor and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter all failed to protect against cadmium-induced hair cell death. We also found cadmium treatment increased pAkt levels in hair cells and pERK levels in supporting cells. This activation may be protective as inhibiting these pathways enhances cadmium-induced hair cell death rather than protecting cells. Thus cadmium-induced hair cell death appears distinct from cadmium-induced cell death in other cell types where calcium, Akt and ERK signaling all promote cell death.
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Pure Tone Audiometry Evaluation Method Effectiveness in Detecting Hearing Changes Due to Workplace Ototoxicant, Continuous Noise, and Impulse Noise Exposures. Ear Hear 2021; 43:1291-1299. [PMID: 34860718 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the relative risks (RR) of hearing impairment due to co-exposure of continuous noise, impulse noise, metal ototoxicants, and organic solvent ototoxicants using several pure tone audiometry (PTA) evaluation methods. DESIGN Noise and ototoxicant exposure and PTA records were extracted from a DoD longitudinal repository and were analyzed for U.S. Air Force personnel (n = 2372) at a depot-level aircraft maintenance activity at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma using an historical cohort study design. Eight similar exposure groups based on combinations of ototoxicant and noise exposure were created: (1) Continuous noise (reference group); (2) Continuous noise + Impulse noise; (3) Metal exposure + Continuous noise; (4) Metal exposure + Continuous noise + Impulse noise; (5) Solvent exposure + Continuous noise; (6) Solvent exposure + Continuous noise + Impulse noise; (7) Metal exposure + Solvent exposure + Continuous noise; and (8) Metal exposure + Solvent exposure + Continuous noise + Impulse noise. RR of hearing impairment compared to the Continuous noise-exposed reference group was assessed with five PTA evaluation methods including (1) U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Significant Threshold Shift (STS), (2) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) age-adjusted STS, (3) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) STS, (4) NIOSH Material Hearing Impairment, and (5) All Frequency Threshold Average. RESULTS Hearing impairment was significantly worse for SEG (2) combined exposure to continuous noise and impulse noise only for the PTA evaluation method (2) OSHA Age Adjusted with an RR of 3.11, [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16-8.31] and was nearly significantly different using PTA evaluation method (4) NIOSH Material Hearing Impairment with an RR of 3.16 (95% CI, 0.99-10.15). Despite no significant differences for SEGs with an ototoxicant exposure, PTA evaluation method (3) NIOSH STS was most sensitive in detecting hearing changes for SEG (8) Metal exposure + Solvent exposure + Continuous noise + Impulse noise as demonstrated by a RR of 1.12 (95% CI, 0.99-1.27). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that a single PTA evaluation technique may not be adequate in fully revealing hearing impairment risk due to all stressors and tailoring the PTA evaluation technique to the hazards present in the workplace could better detect hearing impairment. Additionally, results suggest that PTA may not be effective as the sole technique for evaluating hearing impairment due to ototoxicant exposure with continuous noise co-exposure.
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Blair M, Slagley J, Schaal NC. Effect of noise and ototoxicants on developing standard threshold shifts at a U.S. Air Force depot level maintenance facility. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2021; 18:323-333. [PMID: 34100693 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2021.1922693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Noise exposure has traditionally been considered the primary risk factor for hearing loss. However, ototoxicants commonly found in occupational settings could affect hearing loss independently, additively, or synergistically when combined with noise exposures. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the combined effect of metal and solvent ototoxicants, continuous noise, and impulse noise on hearing loss. Noise and ototoxicant exposure and pure-tone audiometry results were analyzed for U.S. Air Force personnel (n = 2,372) at a depot-level aircraft maintenance activity at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Eight similar exposure groups based on combinations of ototoxicant and noise exposure were created including: (1) Continuous noise (reference group); (2) Continuous noise + Impulse noise; (3) Metal exposures + Continuous noise; (4) Metal exposures + Continuous noise + Impulse noise; (5) Solvent exposure + Continuous noise; (6) Solvent exposures + Continuous noise + Impulse noise; (7) Metal exposure + Solvent exposures + Continuous noise; and (8) Metal exposure + Solvent exposures + Continuous noise + Impulse noise. Hearing loss was assessed at center octave band frequencies of 500-6,000 Hz and using National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Standard Threshold Shift (STS) criteria. Hearing changes were significantly worse at 2,000 Hz in the Metal exposure + Solvent exposure + Continuous noise group compared to the Continuous noise only reference group (p = 0.023). The Metal exposure + Solvent exposure + Continuous noise group had a significantly greater relative risk (RR) of 2.44; 95% CI [1.24, 4.83] for developing an STS at 2,000 Hz. While not statistically significant, the Solvent exposure + Continuous noise group had a RR of 2.32; 95%CI [1.00, 5.34] for developing an STS at 1,000 Hz. These results indicate that noise exposure may dominate hearing loss at ≥3,000 Hz while combined effects of concomitant exposure to ototoxic substances and noise are only noticeable at ≤2,000 Hz. These results also suggest combined exposures to ototoxicants and noise presents a greater hearing loss risk than just noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Blair
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
| | - Jeremy Slagley
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
| | - N Cody Schaal
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- Environmental Health Effects Laboratory, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
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7
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Cabello-López A, Chávez-Gómez NL, Torres-Valenzuela A, Aguilar-Madrid G, Trujillo-Reyes O, Madrigal-Esquivel C, Haro-García LC, Skjönsberg Å, Juárez-Pérez CA. Audiometric findings of printing press workers exposed to noise and organic solvents. Int J Audiol 2020; 60:8-15. [PMID: 32731779 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1795735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if exposure to organic solvents and noise is associated with audiometric results among workers from a printing press in Mexico City. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE One hundred and seventy-six male workers at a printing press in Mexico City exposed to noise and organic solvents, including xylene, and 103 non-exposed male workers as reference group. Hearing thresholds were assessed with pure-tone audiometry. RESULTS Poorer hearing thresholds were observed among printing workers than non-exposed controls, particularly among groups with over 5 years of exposure. Hearing thresholds differences were observed in the frequencies above 500 Hz, especially in 4000 Hz in all exposure groups compared to the reference. Adjusted models for age and previous exposure to noise and organic solvents showed worse hearing thresholds as years of seniority increased -β coefficients (95% CI): ≤5 years: 3.06 dB (0.01, 6.10); >5-10 years: 4.51 dB (1.13, 7.89); >10 years: 4.58 dB (1.20, 7.96). Further analyses showed no interaction between noise and organic solvents on hearing thresholds, considering both current and previous occupational exposures. CONCLUSION Exposure to noise levels that were below recommended exposure limits and organic solvents were associated with poorer hearing thresholds than those observed among non-exposed study participants. This suggests that workers exposed to solvents should be included in hearing conservation programmes, even when noise exposures are below 85 dB. If only noise levels were taken into consideration in the risk assessment of this worker population, the risk of hearing effects could have been overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabello-López
- Occupational Health Research Unit, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nancy Libertad Chávez-Gómez
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hospital Regional "Adolfo López Mateos", Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arturo Torres-Valenzuela
- Division of Audiology, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Aguilar-Madrid
- Division of Research and Postgraduate Education, Claustro Universitario de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
| | - Oscar Trujillo-Reyes
- Occupational Health Research Unit, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia Madrigal-Esquivel
- Occupational Health Research Unit, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Åsa Skjönsberg
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Audiology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cuauhtémoc Arturo Juárez-Pérez
- Occupational Health Research Unit, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
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Schmid C, Alampi I, Briggs J, Tarcza K, Stawicki TM. Mechanotransduction Activity Facilitates Hair Cell Toxicity Caused by the Heavy Metal Cadmium. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:37. [PMID: 32153368 PMCID: PMC7044240 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair cells are sensitive to many insults including environmental toxins such as heavy metals. We show here that cadmium can consistently kill hair cells of the zebrafish lateral line. Disrupting hair cell mechanotransduction genetically or pharmacologically significantly reduces the amount of hair cell death seen in response to cadmium, suggesting a role for mechanotransduction in this cell death process, possibly as a means for cadmium uptake into the cells. Likewise, when looking at multiple cilia-associated gene mutants that have previously been shown to be resistant to aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death, resistance to cadmium-induced hair cell death is only seen in those with mechanotransduction defects. In contrast to what was seen with mechanotransduction, significant protection was not consistently seen from other ions previously shown to compete for cadmium uptake into cells or tissue including zinc and copper. These results show that functional mechanotransduction activity is playing a significant role in cadmium-induced hair cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleigh Schmid
- Program in Neuroscience, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, United States
| | - Isabella Alampi
- Program in Neuroscience, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, United States
| | - Jay Briggs
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kelly Tarcza
- Program in Neuroscience, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, United States
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Schaal NC, Salaam RA, Stevens ME, Stubner AH. Living at Work: 24-hour Noise Exposure Aboard US Navy Aircraft Carriers. Ann Work Expo Health 2019; 63:316-327. [PMID: 30855086 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Personnel assigned to aircraft carriers are exposed to a variety of noise sources from equipment and flight deck operations for durations >12 h. Personnel work and live in environments where hazardous noise areas and hearing recovery spaces such as sleeping and relaxation areas are in proximity to one another which provides little recovery time from hazardous noise. This investigation describes noise levels measured over a 24-h period on a US Navy aircraft carrier during flight operations for different populations of aircraft carrier personnel. METHODS Personal noise monitoring occurred from 23 to 28 January 2014 aboard a US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier during a routine at-sea period. Fifty-nine study volunteers were assigned to similar exposure groups (SEGs). The SEGs were compared to determine which groups were at greatest risk of hazardous noise exposure. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 24 using an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS Mean 24-h equivalent continuous sound levels Leq(24-h) and on-duty time weighted averages (TWA(on-duty)) ranged from 71 to 127 decibels A weighted (dBA). The 80 dBA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for 24-h noise exposure was exceeded by 93% of the study volunteers. The 85 dBA ACGIH TLV and Department of Defense Occupational exposure limit for 8-h noise exposures was exceeded by 68% of the population. Leq(off-duty) ranged from 38 to 102 dBA with 61% of the population exceeding the 70 dBA ACGIH TLV classified as effective quiet to allow for temporary threshold shift recovery. SEG 2 Flight Deck Launch and Recovery had significantly higher 24-h noise exposures than SEG 3 Damage Control Maintenance and Repair (P = 0.01), SEG 5 Supply (P = 0.01), and SEG 7 Administrative/Professional (P = 0.009). Similar results were found for TWA(on-duty) noise exposures. Median TWA(on-duty) and Leq(24-h) for SEG 2 were 16-21 dB higher than SEG 3, 5, and 7. There were no significant differences between off-duty Leq noise exposures according to SEG. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS SEGs located on the flight deck (SEGs 1 and 2) and SEGs responsible for maintenance and repair activities (SEGs 3 and 4) supporting flight operations had the highest TWA(on-duty) and Leq(24-h). These findings raise serious concerns because high noise exposures both on- and off-duty may result in immediate acoustic trauma and development of temporary threshold shifts, which, if unresolved with auditory rest, may lead to permanent hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Cody Schaal
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Michael E Stevens
- Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (M44), Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Alex H Stubner
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Hammill TL, McKenna E, Hecht Q, Buchanan K, Pryor N. I’m Wearing My Hearing Protection – Am I Still At Risk for Hearing Loss? Lurking Ototoxins in the Military Environment. Mil Med 2019; 184:615-620. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
Information is summarized from the overall body of published literature regarding ototoxic chemicals encountered outside of clinical exposures, largely in occupational settings. While summarizing the most common non-pharmaceutical ototoxins, this review provides clinically relevant information and recommendations such that hearing health professionals may adopt a more comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic case history, test battery, documentation scheme, and education delivery.
Methods
Solvents, metals, and asphyxiants literature was reviewed using PubMed, national and international agency websites, and communications with known ototoxicity experts.
Results
Initial intentions to summarize the existing programs for occupational ototoxicity monitoring fell short when it was discovered that such programs have not yet formalized across the major oversight agencies in the United States. Instead, recommended guidance documents and fact sheets, which highlight existing occupational exposure limits and suggest monitoring and education are discussed.
Conclusions
While evidence in humans is limited, potentially ototoxic substances are worthy of improved surveillance and further research to understand their ototoxic mechanisms, effects, and possible mitigation strategies. A triad approach of monitoring, protecting, and educating is recommended for effective prevention of hearing loss: the Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence’s Comprehensive Hearing Health Program model employs such an approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanisha L Hammill
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Suite 1 JBSA Lackland, TX
- zCore Business Solutions, LLC, 810 Hesters Crossing Rd. Ste 206, Round Rock, TX
| | - Elizabeth McKenna
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Suite 1 JBSA Lackland, TX
| | - Quintin Hecht
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Suite 1 JBSA Lackland, TX
- zCore Business Solutions, LLC, 810 Hesters Crossing Rd. Ste 206, Round Rock, TX
| | - Kari Buchanan
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Suite 1 JBSA Lackland, TX
- zCore Business Solutions, LLC, 810 Hesters Crossing Rd. Ste 206, Round Rock, TX
| | - Nina Pryor
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Suite 1 JBSA Lackland, TX
- zCore Business Solutions, LLC, 810 Hesters Crossing Rd. Ste 206, Round Rock, TX
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Lewkowski K, Heyworth JS, Li IW, Williams W, McCausland K, Gray C, Ytterstad E, Glass DC, Fuente A, Si S, Florath I, Fritschi L. Exposure to noise and ototoxic chemicals in the Australian workforce. Occup Environ Med 2019; 76:341-348. [PMID: 30683670 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2018-105471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the current prevalence of exposure to workplace noise and ototoxic chemicals, including co-exposures. METHOD A cross-sectional telephone survey of nearly 5000 Australian workers was conducted using the web-based application, OccIDEAS. Participants were asked about workplace tasks they performed and predefined algorithms automatically assessed worker's likelihood of exposure to 10 known ototoxic chemicals as well as estimated their full shift noise exposure level (LAeq,8h) of their most recent working day. Results were extrapolated to represent the Australian working population using a raked weighting technique. RESULTS In the Australian workforce, 19.5% of men and 2.8% of women exceeded the recommended full shift noise limit of 85 dBA during their last working day. Men were more likely to be exposed to noise if they were younger, had trade qualifications and did not live in a major city. Men were more likely exposed to workplace ototoxic chemicals (57.3%) than women (25.3%). Over 80% of workers who exceeded the full shift noise limit were also exposed to at least one ototoxic chemical in their workplace. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that exposures to hazardous noise and ototoxic chemicals are widespread in Australian workplaces and co-exposure is common. Occupational exposure occurs predominantly for men and could explain some of the discrepancies in hearing loss prevalence between genders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Lewkowski
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jane S Heyworth
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian W Li
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Warwick Williams
- National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kahlia McCausland
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Corie Gray
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elinor Ytterstad
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Deborah C Glass
- Monash Centre for Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrian Fuente
- École d'orthophonie et d'audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Si Si
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ines Florath
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lin Fritschi
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Liu Y, Huo X, Xu L, Wei X, Wu W, Wu X, Xu X. Hearing loss in children with e-waste lead and cadmium exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 624:621-627. [PMID: 29272831 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmental chemical exposure can cause neurotoxicity and has been recently linked to hearing loss in general population, but data are limited in early life exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) especially for children. We aimed to evaluate the association of their exposure with pediatric hearing ability. Blood Pb and urinary Cd were collected form 234 preschool children in 3-7years of age from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling area and a reference area matched in Shantou of southern China. Pure-tone air conduction (PTA) was used to test child hearing thresholds at frequencies of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8kHz. A PTA≥25dB was defined as hearing loss. A higher median blood Pb level was found in the exposed group (4.94±0.20 vs 3.85±1.81μg/dL, p<0.001), while no significance was found for creatinine-adjusted Cd. Compared with the reference group, the exposed group had a higher prevalence of hearing loss (28.8% vs 13.6%, p<0.001). The PTA in the left, right and both ears, and hearing thresholds at average low and high frequency, and single frequency of 0.5, 1 and 2kHz were all increased in the exposed group. Positive correlations of child age and nail biting habit with Pb, and negative correlations of parent education level and child washing hands before dinner with Pb and Cd exposure were observed. Logistic regression analyses showed the adjusted OR of hearing loss for Pb exposure was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.029, 1.486). Our data suggest that early childhood exposure to Pb may be an important risk factor for hearing loss, and the developmental auditory system might be affected in e-waste polluted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Long Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqin Wei
- MED Hearing Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Wengli Wu
- MED Hearing Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xianguang Wu
- MED Hearing Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Guangdong, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China.
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