Occupational Noise Exposure Linked to Cardiovascular Conditions

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are more prevalent among workers who have been exposed to loud noises, according to a new study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Am J Ind Med. 2018 Mar 14. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22833. [Epub ahead of print].) Researchers from CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health studied National Health Survey data from 2014 and estimated the prevalence of self-reported hearing difficulty, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and coronary heart disease or stroke by level of occupational noise exposure, industry, and occupation. They found 25 percent of current workers had a history of occupational noise exposure, and that 12 percent had hearing difficulty, 24 percent had hypertension, and 28 percent had elevated cholesterol. Of these cases, 58 percent, 14 percent, and nine percent of them can be attributed to occupational noise exposure. Industries with the highest prevalence of occupational noise exposure were mining (61%), construction (51%), and manufacturing (47%), and occupations with the highest prevalence of occupational noise exposure were production (55%); construction and extraction (54%); and installation, maintenance, and repair (54%).
 
Elizabeth Masterson, PhD, a co-author of the paper, said in a press release this study provides further evidence of an association of occupational noise exposure with high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as the potential to prevent these conditions. "It is important that workers be screened regularly for these conditions in the workplace or through a health care provider, so interventions can occur. As these conditions are more common among noise-exposed workers, they could especially benefit from these screenings," Masterson said. 

Published: 4/6/2018 10:34:00 AM

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