Association between occupational noise and vibration and anxiety in the South Korean working population: a cross-sectional study

Background Although occupational exposure to noise and vibration is common, its effect on psychological wellbeing is poorly understood. This study investigated the relationship between occupational exposure to noise and vibration and anxiety among Korean workers. Methods Data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey, conducted in 2017, were used. Participants were classified into four groups according to their level of exposure, and anxiety was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the significance of the association between exposure and anxiety. Results Overall, 45,241 participants were enrolled in this study. The likelihood of anxiety increased, in both males and females, when exposed to both occupational noise and vibration (males: odds ratio (OR) = 2.25, confidence interval [CI] = 1.77–2.87; females: OR = 2.17, CI = 1.79–2.61). The association between the varying degrees of noise, vibration, and combined exposure showed a dose–response relationship among males. Conclusions This study revealed that occupational noise and vibration exposure is associated with anxiety. These results suggest that more detailed regulations regarding occupational noise and vibration should be developed and implemented to ensure a safer environment for workers.

OCCUPATIONAL NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS: IT’S FREQUENCY & RISK FACTORS

Objective: To determine the frequency and risk factors of occupational noise induced hearing loss. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dispensary Unit of Jaith Bhuta Sugar Mill near Rahim Yar Khan, Southern Punjab.from Aug 2017 to Jan 2018. Methodology: This study was conducted using nonprobability consecutive sampling. n=300 workers of bothgenders aged 18-40 years were assessed. Basic demographic parameters, otoscopic examination and Pure Tone Audiometry were used for data collection. The Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Results: Study included 215 (71.7%) males and 85 (28.3%) females with male to female ratio of 2.53: 1 and meanage of 28.34 ± 4.61 years. The frequency rate of hearing impairment (HI) was 90 (30%) out of 300 respondents inthis study. Out of 70 (100%) of respondents were affected with duration of job of 6-10 years. There was significant association between gender, age, education, duration of noise exposure with occupational noise induced hearing loss with p-value <0.001. Conclusion: There was high frequency of occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) with significantrisk factors being level and duration of exposure to noise (ETN), age, gender, education and hearing protectivedevices (HPD)’s.

Relationship Between Occupational Noise and Hypertension in Modern Enterprise Workers: A Case–Control Study

Objective Many epidemiological studies have reported an association between occupational noise exposure and hypertension among workers, but have failed to obtain conclusive results. Thus we aimed to assess whether there is a relationship between hypertension and occupational noise. Methods This study adopted a case–control design to verified the relationship of occupational noise and hypertension. This study included 1527 subjects (case group, 509 individuals; control group, 1018 individuals) from a modern automobile manufacturing company. The information includes the general characteristics, occupational factors, and data collected from physical examination, hematology and serology testing. Two-sample t-tests, The Chi-square test, the Ridit analysis method were used for comparing variables. A non-conditional logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis based on single factor analysis. Results Toxin exposure was found to be a risk factor for the occurrence of hypertension in workers who were exposed to noise in modern enterprises (OR=3.45).Heart rate was significantly different between the case and control groups (OR=5.98). Occupational noise exposure is a risk factor for hypertension, and the risk of hypertension for people exposed to noise intensity ≥80 dB is 2.23 times (95% CI 1.62–3.06) higher than that for people exposed to noise intensity <80 dB. Conclusions Occupational noise exposure is an independent risk factor for hypertension. it can be used to direct the new criteria of noise exposure limit to protect worker’s health.

Association between occupational or environmental noise exposure and renal function among middle-aged and older Korean adults: a cross-sectional study

Exposure to occupational and environmental noise is closely linked to various auditory system diseases. Few studies have focused on the effect of noise exposure on the extra auditory system, especially the urinary system. We analyzed 17,154 participants aged 40–79 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2018. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess occupational or environmental noise exposure. Logistic regression was used to determine the differences in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on noise exposure characteristics. For participants with noise exposure, linear regression was performed to determine relationship of the noise exposure period and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In the noise exposure group, a higher CKD prevalence was associated with females who experienced long-term occupational noise (≥ 240 months) (adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11–6.66). An increase of one month of occupational noise exposure was associated with a 0.0106 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR in females aged < 60 years. Overall, noise exposure may be a risk factor for reduced renal function, especially long-term occupational noise exposure. More precise studies should determine (1) the relationship between noise and renal function and (2) the underlying mechanisms.

Alzheimers Disease-Like Neuropathology Following Exposure to Ambient Noise

Many factors play a role in the risk of dementia, including the environment. Widespread and significant worldwide exposure to noise, the severity of related health consequences, and the limited tools available to the public to protect themselves strongly support the WHO's argument that 'noise pollution is not only an environmental nuisance but also a threat to public health'. Exposures to noise from industrial activities, airport noise, or occupational noise are very important. One of the limitations of such studies is the lack of information about lifestyle habits that can play a key role in a person's risk of dementia. This review suggests that people with more exposure to ambient noise are at higher risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and dementia than other people and we examined how chronic noise exposure causes neuropathology such as AD and how it relates to ApoE4 activation. Further studies are essential to expanding global knowledge about the harmful health effects and costs of health care due to noise pollution.

Gürültülü ortam çalışanlarında iş yaşamı ve genel yaşam kalitesinin ilişkisi

Quality of work life and its link to quality of life by noise-exposed workers Objective: It was aimed to evaluate both the quality of work-life and quality of life of factory workers working in noisy environments by using the quality of work-life scale and the WHOQOL-BREF (TR) scale and to examine the correlation of the two scales. The secondary aim of our study is to draw attention to the negative impact of noise-induced hearing loss on quality of life and the necessity of measures to protect individual workers. Material and Method: Forty participants aged between 18-45 with and without noise-induced hearing loss (20 participants) were included in the study. Pure tone audiometry tests were performed on the participants. Then, they were asked to answer the WHOQOL-BREF (TR) and Quality of Work Life Scale items. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the years of work, quality of life, and quality of work-life scores between participants with and without hearing loss. Moderate to strong correlations were observed between the scales assessing the quality of life and work-life. Conclusion: Occupational noise is an important risk factor for hearing loss in workers. Considering that the quality of life of workers exposed to noise is adversely affected, it is necessary to determine the noise exposure, evaluate the negative psychological effects of noise and reduce exposure to noise if necessary. Keywords: Occupational noise, noise exposure, industrial noise, hearing loss, quality of life, quality of work-life