Ambient and attheear occupational noise exposure

Authors: Mai C ArlienSøborg Astrid S Schmedes Z A Stokholm M B Grynderup J P Bonde C S Jensen Å M Hansen T W Frederiksen J Kristiansen K L Christensen J M Vestergaard S P Lund H A Kolstad

Publish Date: 2016/06/18

Volume: 89, Issue: 7, Pages: 1087-1093

PDF Link

Abstract

Occupational and residential noise exposure has been related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease Alteration of serum lipid levels has been proposed as a possible causal pathway The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between ambient and attheear occupational noise exposure and serum levels of total cholesterol lowdensity lipoprotein–cholesterol highdensity lipoprotein–cholesterol and triglycerides when accounting for wellestablished predictors of lipid levelsThis crosssectional study included 424 industrial workers and 84 financial workers to obtain contrast in noise exposure levels They provided a serum sample and wore portable dosimeters that every 5s recorded ambient noise exposure levels during a 24h period We extracted measurements obtained during work and calculated the fullshift mean ambient noise level For 331 workers who kept a diary on the use of a hearing protection device HPD we subtracted 10 dB from every noise recording obtained during HPD use and estimated the mean fullshift noise exposure level at the earMean ambient noise level was 799 dB A range 550–989 and the mean estimated level at the ear 778 dB A range 550–942 Ambient and attheear noise levels were strongly associated with increasing levels of triglycerides cholesterol–HDL ratio and decreasing levels of HDL–cholesterol but only in unadjusted analyses that did not account for HPD use and other risk factorsNo associations between ambient or attheear occupational noise exposure and serum lipid levels were observed This indicates that a causal pathway between occupational and residential noise exposure and cardiovascular disease does not include alteration of lipid levelsFunding of this study was provided by the Danish Working Environment Research Fund 20080016245/3 and the Danish Working Environment Authority 20080038914 HK has received financial support from LO the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions and prepares specialists’ statements for the National Board of Occupational InjuriesArlienSøborg MC and Schmedes AS contributed equally to this work as first authors Stokholm ZA contributed with good advice and suggestions for improvement during the process Kolstad HA acted as main supervisor Grynderup MB contributed with statistical support when needed Jensen CS was responsible for collecting data and contributed with practical help Bonde JP Hansen AM Frederiksen TW Kristiansen J Christensen KL Vestergaard JM Lund SP all contributed with their expertise in the field and participated in meetings regarding the study

Keywords: