Effect of Long-Term Noise Exposure on the Blood Pressure in Factory Workers

Cohort study for the effect of chronic noise exposure on blood pressure among male workers in Busan, Korea

“…To determine the noise effect on BP, the personal exposure level and BP need to be acquired. The previous studies indirectly estimated the personal noise exposure level by the degree of hearing loss [Kim and Lee, 1987;Talbott et al, 1990;Ha and Kim, 1991;Hirai et al, 1991;Garcia and Garcia, 1993;Sokas et al, 1995;Kim et al, 1996;Tomei et al, 2000]. From a biological viewpoint, it is important to use the state of hearing loss to predict the noise exposure level, because the degree of hearing loss varies depending on personal susceptibility.…”

“…Previous studies used the exposed noise level or duration of exposure to calculate individual's noise exposure level. However, in this study, this variable is obtained by multiplying the level of noise exposure by the average exposure duration [Kim et al, 1996]. In addition, the degree of hearing loss is used to infer the noise exposure level [Kim and Lee, 1987;Talbott et al, 1990;Ha and Kim, 1991;Hirai et al, 1991;Garcia and Garcia, 1993;Sokas et al, 1995;Kim et al, 1996;Fogari et al, 2001].…”

“…However, in this study, this variable is obtained by multiplying the level of noise exposure by the average exposure duration [Kim et al, 1996]. In addition, the degree of hearing loss is used to infer the noise exposure level [Kim and Lee, 1987;Talbott et al, 1990;Ha and Kim, 1991;Hirai et al, 1991;Garcia and Garcia, 1993;Sokas et al, 1995;Kim et al, 1996;Fogari et al, 2001]. It is important to note that the present noise exposure level does not represent noise exposure in the past, nor does the noise exposure duration reflect each individual's specific occupational noise exposure.…”