Noise exposure and the risk of cancer: a comprehensive systematic review

Atherosclerosis and the Bidirectional Relationship Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside, Part 2 Management

The first part of this review highlighted the evolving landscape of atherosclerosis, noting emerging cardiometabolic risk factors, the growing impact of exposomes, and social determinants of health. The prominent role of atherosclerosis in the bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer was also discussed. In this second part, we examine the complex interplay between multimorbid cardio-oncologic patients, cardiometabolic risk factors, and the harmful environments that lend a "syndemic" nature to these chronic diseases. We summarize management strategies targeting disordered cardiometabolic factors to mitigate cardiovascular disease and explore molecular mechanisms enabling more tailored therapies. Importantly, we emphasize the early interception of atherosclerosis through multifactorial interventions that detect subclinical signs (via biomarkers and imaging) to treat modifiable risk factors and prevent clinical events. A concerted preventive effort-referred to by some as a "preventome"-is essential to reduce the burden of atherosclerosis-driven chronic diseases, shifting from mere chronic disease management to the proactive promotion of "chronic health".

The Impact of Environmental Health Determinants in Surgical Oncology

Environmental determinants of health refer to external factors in our surroundings that influence health outcomes. It is estimated that healthier environments could prevent almost one-quarter of the global burden of disease. Additionally, environmental factors, including lifestyle factors, air pollution, chemical exposures, and natural exposures, are responsible for a significant incidence of cancers and premature cancer deaths. Minority populations, low-income populations, children, and older adults are at increased risk for oncologic risks secondary to environmental factors.

The impact of noise-induced hearing loss on individual job performance: exploring the role of aggression and work-related quality of life

BACKGROUND

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) may have a significant effect on individual job performance (IJP). These effects may exert through aggression and work-related quality of life (WRQoL). Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the modeling of the impact of NIHL on IJP by exploring the role of aggression and WRQoL.

METHODS

In 2022, a comprehensive study was carried out on 335 industrial workers in Kaveh Industrial Town, Saveh, Iran. The study encompassed a range of assessments, including a questionnaire-based survey that included the IJP questionnaire, WRQoL questionnaire, and Aggression questionnaire, as well as a pure tone audiometry test. The data gathered from these assessments were analyzed using structural equation modeling, providing a robust framework for understanding the complex relationships between variables.

RESULTS

Based on Spearman correlation test there is a negative correlation between NIHLtotal and WRQoL and IJP, with coefficients of -0.459 (P-value < 0.01) and - 0.575 (P-value < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between NIHLtotal and aggression, with a coefficient of 0.374 (P-value < 0.05). The direct effect coefficients for the impact of NIHLtotal on WRQoL, aggression, and IJP were - 0.412, 0.453, and - 0.128, respectively. Moreover, the indirect effect coefficients of NIHLtotal on the IJP through aggression, through WRQoL, and through both aggression and WRQoL were - 0.057, -0.275, and - 0.078, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results indicate that NIHL had a negative and positive association with WRQoL and aggression among workers, respectively. Furthermore, IJP was found to be directly and indirectly influenced by NIHL, through reduced WRQoL and aggressive behavior as negative consequences of NIHL.

Effect of Occupational Noise on Employee Health: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the long-term health risks associated with occupational noise exposure. By using 9 years of health examination data from a major manufacturing company in Taiwan, this study compared the health indices of employees in noise-intensive and non-noise-intensive work environments.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 6278 health examination reports spanning 9 years was conducted to compare 20 health indices among 166 employees evenly distributed between noise-intensive and non-noise-intensive workgroups. These employees were carefully matched for sex, age, and work experience. Linear regression models were used to assess the temporal impact of noise exposure on each health index by incorporating a unique range ratio to quantify index fluctuations attributable to noise.

RESULTS

Employees exposed to occupational noise had an increase in platelet count of 16.594 K/µL, with an annual increment of 1.228 K/µL. Moreover, employees in noisy environments exhibited a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen level by 0.438 mg/dL, with an annual increase of 0.171 mg/dL. Additionally, their carcinoembryonic antigen level was significantly increased by 0.187 ng/mL on average, with the annual increase being 0.034 ng/mL. Moreover, increases in systolic blood pressure (2.015 mmHg), heart rate (4.620 beats/min), and white blood cell count (0.536 K/µL) and a decrease in red blood cell count (0.107 M/µL) were discovered to be solely attributable to noise exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged exposure to high occupational noise levels significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular, renal, and colorectal diseases. This longitudinal study underscores the detrimental health consequences of prolonged noise exposure in occupational settings.

Fine Particulate Matter, Noise Pollution, and Greenspace and Prostate Cancer Risk in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial Cohort

BACKGROUND

Greenspace is hypothesized as being protective against cancer, whereas noise pollution and fine particulate matter (<2.5 μm in diameter, PM2.5) are both potential risk factors. Findings from recent studies of greenspace and PM2.5 with prostate cancer are not conclusive and the association between noise exposure and cancer has not been evaluated in a U.S. study.

METHODS

We assessed PM2.5, noise, and greenspace exposure using spatiotemporal models and satellite-based estimates at enrollment addresses for N = 43,184 male participants of the prospective Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening Trial cohort (enrolled 1994-2001). We used Cox regression models adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, study center, family history of prostate cancer, and Area Deprivation Index to estimate associations between ambient PM2.5 (μg/m3), greenspace (index range from -1 to 1), and noise pollution (loudest 10% of total existing sound, decibels) and incident prostate cancer risk through December 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 6,327 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed among male participants during follow-up. PM2.5 and noise exposures were moderately positively correlated (Spearman ρ = 0.46), and PM2.5 and greenspace were not correlated (ρ = 0.10); greenspace and noise were inversely correlated (ρ = -0.32). In single-pollutant and multipollutant models mutually adjusted for coexposures, we found no associations with prostate cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find evidence that PM2.5, greenspace, and noise pollution were associated with prostate cancer risk in this large, geographically spread cohort.

IMPACT

This study contributes to a small body of existing literature investigating these biologically plausible associations.

Impacts of noise-induced hearing loss on sleep, health, and workplace: Multi-group analysis

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant occupational health concern, particularly in industries with high levels of noise exposure. This study examines the effects of NIHL on sleep quality, daily life health conditions, and workplace health problems among workers. A total of 1285 workers participated in the study, and the data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the impacts of NIHL. The analysis included a multi-group analysis to differentiate the effects between workers who wear noise protection and those who do not. Our findings indicate that NIHL significantly affects sleep quality, with a coefficient of 0.263 (t = 9.957, p<0.001), daily life health conditions with a coefficient of 0.296 (t = 10.793, p<0.001), and workplace health problems with a coefficient of 0.345 (t = 13.814, p<0.001). The multi-group analysis revealed more severe impacts on sleep and health in the non-wearing group compared to the noise-protection-wearing group, with statistically significant differences in path coefficients for sleep disorders (-0.033), health problems in daily life (-0.184), and health problems in the workplace (-0.190), all showing p-values of 0.000. These results underscore the detrimental effects of NIHL on multiple aspects of workers' health and emphasize the importance of wearing noise protection to mitigate these effects. This study provides vital insights for both researchers and practitioners in public health, suggesting that improved noise protection strategies are essential for protecting workers in noisy environments.