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Raphala CP, Agbenyeku EEO, Mbazima SJ, Rathebe PC. Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards occupational noise among maintenance and administration workers of selected health facilities in Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38212981 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2302038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude, and practices towards Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among maintenance and administration workers in selected health facilities in the Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to select 250 participants. Maintenance workers were populated within the age range of 26-35 years, being more than administrative personnel (COR 1.59, CI 0.8-3.16). Maintenance workers showed more knowledge of noise being an unwanted sound (COR 1.04, CI 0.29-3.73), an ear infection (COR 4.65, CI 1.48-14.58) and poor hearing of speech as a sign of hearing loss (AOR 0.25, CI 0.07-0.86). Thirty-four percent (34%) of maintenance workers believed that ear screening and assessments are important while 17.9% believed not to be important. Forty-eight percent (58%) of maintenance workers suggested that they could not use hearing protectors effectively without training while 13.7% suggested training is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Phuti Raphala
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Emem-Obong Agbenyeku
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Setlamorago Jackson Mbazima
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Toxicology and Biochemistry, National Institute for Occupational Health, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Phoka Caiphus Rathebe
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Arnold ML, Sanchez VA, Carrasco DN, Martinez D, Dhar S, Stickel A, Perreira KM, Athanasios T, Lee DJ. Risk factors associated with occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos: A cross-sectional epidemiologic investigation. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2023; 20:586-597. [PMID: 37615410 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2250403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of occupational noise exposure and risk factors of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Hispanic/Latino adults included in the baseline wave of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos collected from 2008 to 2011. Sequential multiple linear regression modeled the relationship between occupational NIHL (defined as a 3-, 4-, 6-kHz pure-tone average [PTA]) and occupation type, self-reported noise exposure, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score, and hearing protective device (HPD) use. The final model controlled for sex, age, and recreational noise exposure. Among 12,851 included participants, approximately 40% (n = 5036) reported occupational noise exposure "Sometimes" (up to 50% of the time) or "Frequently" (75-100% of the time). In the final fitted model, longest-held occupation and CVD risk were associated with poorer hearing. Specifically, those in non-skilled, service, skilled, and military/police/other job categories had between 2.07- and 3.29-dB worse PTA than professional/office workers. Additionally, a shift in the CVD risk score category from low to medium was associated with a 2.25- and 8.20-dB worse PTA for medium and high CVD risk, respectively. Age and sex were also significantly associated with poorer hearing, such that men presented with 6.08 dB worse PTA than women, and for every one-year increase in age, PTA increased by 0.62 dB (ps < .001). No interactions were seen between noise*sometimes or frequent exposure to other ototoxic agents and PTA (ps = .33 & .92, respectively). The prevalence of occupational noise exposure was high in this cross-sectional investigation of adults from Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. Findings contribute to the extant literature by demonstrating that risk factors for occupational NIHL in adults from varying Hispanic/Latino backgrounds are consistent with those of other previously studied groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Arnold
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Victoria A Sanchez
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | | | - Diane Martinez
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Sumitrajit Dhar
- School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Ariana Stickel
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Krista M Perreira
- Department of Health Policy, and Management, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Tsalatsanis Athanasios
- Biostatistics Core, University of South Florida - Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - David J Lee
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
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Jiang CY, Han K, Yang F, Yin SY, Zhang L, Liang BY, Wang TB, Jiang T, Chen YR, Shi TY, Liu YC, Chen SW, Tong BS, Liu YH, Pan HF, Han YX. Global, regional, and national prevalence of hearing loss from 1990 to 2019: A trend and health inequality analyses based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102124. [PMID: 37972859 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
As a severe public health issue, hearing loss has caused an increasingly disease burden, especially in the elderly population. Hearing loss may inevitably induce asymmetric hearing, which makes it difficult for elderly individuals to locate sound sources, therefore resulting in increased postural instability and falling risk. To emphasize the public health emergence of hearing loss, we investigated the temporal trend of prevalence of hearing loss over the last 30 years and further predicted its changes in the next 20 years, decomposed the trend according to demographic factors and epidemiological changes, and quantified the cross-country healthy inequalities, using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019. In 2019, there were more than 140 million cases of hearing loss worldwide, a 93.89% increase from 70 million cases in 1990. The age-standardized rate (ASR) also increased with an estimated annual percentage change of 0.08% per year. Population growth and aging are the major drivers contributing to the changes, accounting for 60.83% and 35.35%. Of note, the contribution of aging varies showing a gradual increasing trend with sociodemographic index (SDI) elevating. Also notable, there were significant health inequalities across 204 countries and territories, with slope index of inequality rising over time. Projection of the global burden of hearing loss from 2020 to 2040 indicated progressive increases in both case number and ASR. These reflect the heavy disease burden of hearing loss that needed more targeted and efficient strategies in its prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Ya Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wuhu Hospital, East China Normal University, Wuhu, 241001, China; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ke Han
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China
| | - Si-Yue Yin
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bing-Yu Liang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tai-Bao Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yue-Rong Chen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tai-Yu Shi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Chen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shan-Wen Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bu-Sheng Tong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ye-Hai Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Yan-Xun Han
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Panecatl‐Bernal Y, Alvarado J, Ortiz‐Medina J, Fuentecilla‐Carcamo I, Lima‐Juárez R, Granada‐Ramírez D, Chávez‐Portillo M, Esquina‐Arenas L, Hernández‐Corona S, Alpes de Vasconcelos E, Mendes de Azevedo W, Méndez‐Rojas M, Palomino‐Ovando M, Navarro‐Morales E. Physical and Chemical Interactions of the Polar and Nonpolar Solvents on the Mesoporous Silica Material to Developing Solvent Sensors. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202204636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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Shkembi A, Smith LM, Bregg S, Neitzel RL. Evaluating Occupational Noise Exposure as a Contributor to Injury Risk among Miners. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:1151-1161. [PMID: 36053031 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac059] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study: (i) assessed the relationship between noise exposure and injury risk, comprehensively adjusting for individual factors, psychosocial stressors, and organizational influences; (ii) determined the relative importance of noise on injuries; (iii) estimated the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of noise on injury risk to determine the threshold of noise considered hazardous to injuries; and (iv) quantified the fraction of injuries that could be attributed to hazardous noise exposure. METHODS In this cross-sectional study at 10 US surface mine sites, traditional mixed effects, Poisson regression, and boosted regression tree (BRT) models were run on the number of reported work-related injuries in the last year. The LOAEL of noise on injuries was identified by estimating the percent increase in work-related injuries at different thresholds of noise exposure using a counterfactual estimator through the BRT model. A population attributable fraction (PAF) was quantified with this counterfactual estimator to predict reductions in injuries at the LOAEL. RESULTS Among 18 predictors of work-related injuries, mine site, perceived job safety, age, and sleepiness were the most important predictors. Occupational noise exposure was the seventh most important predictor. The LOAEL of noise for work-related injuries was a full-shift exposure of 88 dBA. Exposure ≥88 dBA was attributed to 20.3% (95% CI: 11.2%, 29.3%) of reported work-related injuries in the last year among the participants. CONCLUSIONS This study further supports hypotheses of a dose-response relationship between occupational noise exposure and work-related injuries, and suggests that exposures ≥88 dBA may increase injury risk in mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abas Shkembi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lauren M Smith
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sandar Bregg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Michael & Associates, Inc., State College, PA, USA
| | - Richard L Neitzel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Colin R, Wild P, Paris C, Boini S. Facteurs psychosociaux et accidents du travail, que dit la littérature ? ARCH MAL PROF ENVIRO 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.admp.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Sisto R, Moleti A, Capone P, Sanjust F, Cerini L, Tranfo G, Massini G, Buscema S, Buscema PM, Chiarella P. MicroRNA expression is associated with auditory dysfunction in workers exposed to ototoxic solvents and noise. Front Public Health 2022; 10:958181. [PMID: 36203702 PMCID: PMC9530926 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.958181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study is part of a project on early hearing dysfunction induced by combined exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and noise in occupational settings. In a previous study, 56 microRNAs were found differentially expressed in exposed workers compared to controls. Here, we analyze the statistical association of microRNA expression with audiometric hearing level (HL) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) level in that subset of differentially expressed microRNAs. The highest negative correlations were found; for HL, with miR-195-5p and miR-122-5p, and, for DPOAEs, with miR-92b-5p and miR-206. The homozygous (mut) and heterozygous (het) variants of the gene hOGG1 were found disadvantaged with respect to the wild-type (wt), as regards the risk of hearing impairment due to exposure to VOCs. An unsupervised artificial neural network (auto contractive map) was also used to detect and show, using graph analysis, the hidden connections between the explored variables. These findings may contribute to the formulation of mechanistic hypotheses about hearing damage due to co-exposure to noise and ototoxic solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Sisto
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Renata Sisto
| | - Arturo Moleti
- Department of Physics and NAST Centre, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Capone
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Sanjust
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Cerini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tranfo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Massini
- Semeion, Research Center of Sciences of Communication, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Buscema
- Semeion, Research Center of Sciences of Communication, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pieranna Chiarella
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
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Colin R, Wild P, Paris C, Boini S. Effect of Joint Exposure to Psychosocial and Physical Work Factors on the Incidence of Workplace Injuries: Results From a Longitudinal Survey. J Occup Environ Med 2021; 63:921-930. [PMID: 34238905 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the interaction between physical and psychosocial work factors regarding the workplace injuries incidence among 6900 workers out of a longitudinal survey. METHODS Based on responses to questionnaires, we obtained exposure groups respectively for physical factors and for psychosocial factors using hierarchical clustering. We performed multiple Poisson regression model with the workplace injuries incidence during 4 years of follow-up as the outcome and the clusters as the independent variables of interest. RESULTS High psychosocial exposure had a deleterious effect on workplace injuries incidence, which was no longer significant when adjusting for physical factors. The difference in model-based workplace injuries rates between high and low psychosocial exposures seemed to increase (non-significantly) with increasing physical exposure. CONCLUSIONS The risk of workplace injuries was highest among workers with high physical exposures regardless of the psychosocial exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Régis Colin
- Department of Occupational Epidemiology, Occupational Health and Safety Institute (INRS), Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France (Mr Colin, Dr Wild, and Dr Boini); Univ Rennes 1, INSERM IRSET U1085, Rennes, France (Mr Colin and Pr Paris)
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Abstract
: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) represents the second most common occupational disease in the United States. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated an occupational noise exposure standard and associated recordkeeping requirements, OSHA inspections increasingly document practices that violate both the noise standard and recordkeeping regulation. This article describes five deviations from good clinical practices masking the true societal costs of NIHL, leading to missed prevention opportunities, and creating burdens for individuals and society. These include attributing NIHL to nonoccupational sources, exculpating the workplace because of audiogram patterns without careful documentation, ignoring symptoms or physical examination findings, and simply denying work-relatedness, leading to employers inappropriately lining out cases from the OSHA 300 log. The practices identified by OSHA suggest that many individuals are not following widely recognized and accepted practices when administering hearing conservation programs.
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Zhou J, Shi Z, Zhou L, Hu Y, Zhang M. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e039576. [PMID: 32988950 PMCID: PMC7523212 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most of the Chinese occupational population are becoming at risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, there is a limited number of literature reviews on occupational NIHL in China. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of occupational NIHL in the Chinese population using data from relevant studies. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS From December 2019 to February 2020, we searched the literature through databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, the China National Knowledge Internet, Chinese Sci-Tech Journal Database (weip.com), WanFang Database and China United Library Database, for studies on NIHL in China published in 1993-2019 and analysed the correlation between NIHL and occupational exposure to noise, including exposure to complex noise and coexposure to noise and chemicals. RESULTS A total of 71 865 workers aged 33.5±8.7 years were occupationally exposed to 98.6±7.2 dB(A) (A-weighted decibels) noise for a duration of 9.9±8.4 years in the transportation, mining and typical manufacturing industries. The prevalence of occupational NIHL in China was 21.3%, of which 30.2% was related to high-frequency NIHL (HFNIHL), 9.0% to speech-frequency NIHL and 5.8% to noise-induced deafness. Among manufacturing workers, complex noise contributed to greater HFNIHL than Gaussian noise (overall weighted OR (OR)=1.95). Coexposure to noise and chemicals such as organic solvents, welding fumes, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide led to greater HFNIHL than noise exposure alone (overall weighted OR=2.36). Male workers were more likely to experience HFNIHL than female workers (overall weighted OR=2.26). Age, noise level and exposure duration were also risk factors for HFNIHL (overall weighted OR=1.35, 5.63 and 1.75, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of occupational NIHL in China was related to the wide distribution of noise in different industries as well as high-level and long-term noise exposure. The prevalence was further aggravated by exposure to complex noise or coexposure to noise and specific chemicals. Additional efforts are needed to reduce occupational noise exposure in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiena Zhou
- Occupational Health and Radiation Protection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihao Shi
- School of medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lifang Zhou
- Occupational Health and Radiation Protection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Hu
- Occupational Health and Radiation Protection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meibian Zhang
- Occupational Health and Radiation Protection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
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Analysis of Risk Factors in Occupational Accidents in Brazil: A Population-Based Study. J Occup Environ Med 2019; 62:e46-e51. [PMID: 31851057 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of occupational risks factors, including specific work characteristics with the occurrence of accidents at workplace and on the way to work in Brazil. METHODS We used a cross-sectional study design with comparison groups, to inquire data from 47,629 participants of the Brazilian National Health Survey. Logistic regression analysis was performed for distinct multivariate models. RESULTS Exposure to intense noise, biological materials, work experience of 40 years or more, and intense physical exertion were significantly associated with accidents at work. Regarding to accidents on the way to work, exposure to intense noise and performing work activities that require intense physical exertion remained associated. CONCLUSION This study contributes to highlight the effects of multiple work-related risk factors on the occurrence of occupational accidents at the workplace and on the way to work in Brazil.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study utilized personal noise measurements and fit-testing to evaluate the association between noise exposures and personal attenuation rating (PAR) values among participating workers, and second, to compare the attenuated exposure levels received by the workers and the British Standards Institute's recommended noise exposure range of 70 to 80 dBA. DESIGN We measured hearing protection device (HPD) attenuation among a sample of 91 workers at 2 US metal manufacturing facilities, through performance of personal noise dosimetry measurements and HPD fit-testing over multiple work shifts. We compared this testing with participant questionnaires and annual audiometric hearing threshold results. RESULTS The average 8-hr time-weighted average noise exposures for study participants was 79.8 dBA (SD = 7.0 dBA), and the average PAR from fit-testing was 20.1 dB (±6.7 dB). While differences existed between sites, 84% of the 251 PAR measurements resulted in effective protection levels below the recommended 70 dBA (indicating overprotection), while workers were underprotected (i.e., effective exposures >80 dBA) during <1% of monitored shifts. Our results also demonstrated a significant positive relationship between measured noise exposure and PAR among non-custom-molded plug users (p = 0.04). Non-custom-molded plug wearers also showed a significant increase in PAR by sequential fit-test interaction (p = 0.01), where on average, subsequent fit-testing resulted in increasingly higher HPD attenuation. Workers at site 1 showed higher PARs. PARs were significantly related to race, even when adjusting for site location. While age, hearing threshold level, task, and self-reported tinnitus showed no significant effect on individual PAR in an unadjusted model, site, race, and sand- or water-blasting activities were significant predictors in adjusted models. Within-worker variability in time-weighted averages and PARs across repeated measurements was substantially lower than variability between workers. CONCLUSIONS Careful selection of HPDs is necessary to minimize instances of overprotection to workers in low and moderate occupational noise environments. The use of fit-testing in hearing conservation programs to evaluate PAR is recommended to avoid overprotection from noise exposure while also minimizing instances of under-attenuation.
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Broyles G, Kardous CA, Shaw PB, Krieg EF. Noise exposures and perceptions of hearing conservation programs among wildland firefighters. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2019; 16:775-784. [PMID: 31658434 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2019.1668001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Wildland firefighters are exposed to numerous noise sources that may be hazardous to their hearing. This study examined the noise exposure profiles for 264 wildland firefighters across 15 job categories. All 264 firefighters completed questionnaires to assess their use of hearing protection devices, enrollment in hearing conservation programs, and their overall perception of their noise exposure. Roughly 54% of firefighters' noise exposures exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit of 85 decibels, A-weighted, over 8 hr, and 32% exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit of 90 decibels, A-weighted, over 8 hr. Questionnaire results indicated good agreement between noise exposures and firefighters' perceptions of the noise hazard. Approximately 65% reported that they used some form of hearing protection; however, only 19% reported receiving any proper training regarding the use of hearing protection devices, with the majority of those firefighters relying on earplugs, including electronic and level-dependent earplugs, over earmuffs or other forms of hearing protectors. The results also suggest that improved communication and situational awareness play a greater role in the consistent use of hearing protection devices than other factors such as risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss. The study highlighted the challenges facing wildland firefighters and their management and the need for a comprehensive wildland fire agencies' hearing conservation program especially for firefighters who were exempt based on their occupational designations.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Broyles
- Technology and Development Program, USDA Forest Service, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - Chucri A Kardous
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Peter B Shaw
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Edward F Krieg
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Themann CL, Masterson EA. Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:3879. [PMID: 31795665 DOI: 10.1121/1.5134465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to hazardous noise is one of the most common occupational risks, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Repeated overexposure to noise at or above 85 dBA can cause permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and difficulty understanding speech in noise. It is also associated with cardiovascular disease, depression, balance problems, and lower income. About 22 million U.S. workers are currently exposed to hazardous occupational noise. Approximately 33% of working-age adults with a history of occupational noise exposure have audiometric evidence of noise-induced hearing damage, and 16% of noise-exposed workers have material hearing impairment. While the Mining, Construction, and Manufacturing sectors typically have the highest prevalence of noise exposure and hearing loss, there are noise-exposed workers in every sector and every sector has workers with hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Increased understanding of the biological processes underlying noise damage may lead to protective pharmacologic or genetic therapies. For now, an integrated public health approach that (1) emphasizes noise control over reliance on hearing protection, (2) illustrates the full impact of hearing loss on quality of life, and (3) challenges the cultural acceptance of loud noise can substantially reduce the impact of noise on worker health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christa L Themann
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-27, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Masterson
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-27, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA
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Le Prell CG, Hammill TL, Murphy WJ. Noise-induced hearing loss and its prevention: Integration of data from animal models and human clinical trials. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:4051. [PMID: 31795668 PMCID: PMC7195863 DOI: 10.1121/1.5132951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal models have been used to gain insight into the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and its potential prevention using investigational new drug agents. A number of compounds have yielded benefit in pre-clinical (animal) models. However, the acute traumatic injury models commonly used in pre-clinical testing are fundamentally different from the chronic and repeated exposures experienced by many human populations. Diverse populations that are potentially at risk and could be considered for enrollment in clinical studies include service members, workers exposed to occupational noise, musicians and other performing artists, and children and young adults exposed to non-occupational (including recreational) noise. Both animal models and clinical populations were discussed in this special issue, followed by discussion of individual variation in vulnerability to NIHL. In this final contribution, study design considerations for NIHL otoprotection in pre-clinical and clinical testing are integrated and broadly discussed with evidence-based guidance offered where possible, drawing on the contributions to this special issue as well as other existing literature. The overarching goals of this final paper are to (1) review and summarize key information across contributions and (2) synthesize information to facilitate successful translation of otoprotective drugs from animal models into human application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen G Le Prell
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75080, USA
| | - Tanisha L Hammill
- Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, USA
| | - William J Murphy
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinanati, Ohio 45226-1998, USA
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16
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The effect of industrial noise exposure on attention, reaction time, and memory. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2018; 92:111-116. [DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1361-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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17
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Chalansonnet M, Carreres-Pons M, Venet T, Thomas A, Merlen L, Seidel C, Cosnier F, Nunge H, Pouyatos B, Llorens J, Campo P. Combined exposure to carbon disulfide and low-frequency noise reversibly affects vestibular function. Neurotoxicology 2018; 67:270-278. [PMID: 29928918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Chronic occupational exposure to carbon disulfide (CS2) has debilitating motor and sensory effects in humans, which can increase the risk of falls. Although no mention of vestibulotoxic effects is contained in the literature, epidemiological and experimental data suggest that CS2 could cause low-frequency hearing loss when associated with noise exposure. Low-frequency noise might also perturb the peripheral balance receptor through an as-yet unclear mechanism. Here, we studied how exposure to a low-frequency noise combined with 250-ppm CS2 affected balance in rats. Vestibular function was tested based on post-rotary nystagmus recorded by a video-oculography system. These measurements were completed by behavioral tests and analysis of the cerebellum to measure expression levels for gene expression associated with neurotoxicity. Assays were performed prior to and following a 4-week exposure, and again after a 4-week recovery period. Functional measurements were completed by histological analyses of the peripheral organs.Nystagmus was unaltered by exposure to noise alone, while CS2 alone caused a moderate 19% decrease of the saccade number. In contrast, coexposure to 250-ppm CS2 and low-frequency noise decreased both saccade number and duration by 33% and 34%, respectively. After four weeks, recovery was only partial but measures were not significantly different from pre-exposure values. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of cerebellar tissue revealed a slight but significant modification in expression levels for two genes linked to neurotoxicity in CS2-exposed animals. However, neither histopathological changes to the peripheral receptor nor behavioral differences were observed. Based on all these results, we propose that the effects of CS2 were due to reversible neurochemical disturbance of the efferent pathways managing post-rotatory nystagmus. Because the nervous structures involving the vestibular function appear particularly sensitive to CS2, post-rotary nystagmus could be used as an early, non-invasive measurement to diagnose CS2 intoxication as part of an occupational conservation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Chalansonnet
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France.
| | - Maria Carreres-Pons
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France; Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Thomas Venet
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Aurélie Thomas
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Lise Merlen
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Carole Seidel
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Frédéric Cosnier
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Hervé Nunge
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Benoît Pouyatos
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France
| | - Jordi Llorens
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pierre Campo
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, F-54519 Vandœuvre Cedex, France; DevAH EA 3450 - Développement, Adaptation et Handicap, Régulations cardio-respiratoires et de la motricité-Université de Lorraine, F-54500 Vandœuvre, France
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