Ototoxic Substances at the Workplace: a Brief Update

Nies, E.

doi:10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2199

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Our results confirm that sub chronic exposure to 40 ppm toluene significantly decreases hearing activity and leads to a sensitization to toluene-induced narcosis, as evaluated by loss of righting reflex (10). As ototoxic substances are a heterogeneous group of chemicals that cause hearing impairment in various toxicological modes of action, risk identification and risk assessment present a challenge of their own (11). Exposure to aromatic organic solvents may induce hearing loss in rats, the cochlea being the primary target.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 80%

A survey of the effect of toluene on the impact of noise on hearing loss in workers

Akbar

Golbabaei²,

Nassiri

2014

JOHE

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Background: Ototoxic chemicals can impair the sense of hearing and balance. In the past decades, the ototoxicity of solvents and their interaction with noise have become evident. This study has been carried out in the shoe manufacturing factory in Tehran (Iran) with the aim of evaluating the combined effects of noise and toluene on the workers' hearing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted on 64 workers selected through census. The participants were assigned to 3 groups according to their exposure to noise and toluene. Group 1 consisted of 33 workers who were exposed to noise, group 2 of 5 exposed to toluene, and group 3 of 26 exposed to noise and toluene. Toluene concentrations were measured in the workers' breathing zone as well as A-weighted sound pressure level (SPL), overall noise level (LpA) and equivalent continuous A-weighted SPL over 30 minutes, and the equivalent noise level A (LeqA) in the head position of workers. Then, the noise level was calculated and hearing thresholds were measured in 500-4000 Hz frequency range. The amounts of air and bone hearing loss were also calculated. Results: The results indicated that the relationship between hearing loss caused by noise (group 1) and noise and toluene (group 3) were statistically significant (P < 0.50). Hearing loss due to toluene in midrange frequencies was more pronounced than in high frequencies. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that authorities should pay greater attention to agents such as noise which affect the hearing loss and health of employees, especially with respect to sensitivity of hearing system disorders. Moreover, individual characteristics should also be considered in employing future personnel.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 80%

A survey of the effect of toluene on the impact of noise on hearing loss in workers

Akbar

Golbabaei²,

Nassiri

2014

JOHE

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“…However, most titles were broad descriptors of noise, chemicals and accidents or described possible hazards of an occupation; the titles did not indicate results relating noise and chemical exposure to occupational accidents. Three reports were retrieved (Hodgkinson & Prasher, 2006; Nies, 2012; Prasher, Al-Hajjaj, Aylott, & Aksentijevic, 2005) for possible relevance to this topic. Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise and neurotoxic chemical exposure relationship to workplace traumatic injuries: A review

Estill

Rice

Morata

et al. 2017

Journal of Safety Research

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Introduction More than 5,000 fatalities and eight million injuries occurred in the workplace in 2007 at a cost of $6 billion and $186 billion, respectively. Neurotoxic chemicals are known to affect central nervous system functions among workers, which include balance and hearing disorders. However, it is not known if there is an association between exposure to noise and solvents and acute injuries. Method A thorough review was conducted of the literature on the relationship between noise or solvent exposures and hearing loss with various health outcomes. Results The search resulted in 41 studies. Health outcomes included: hearing loss, workplace injuries, absence from work due to sickness, fatalities, hospital admissions due to workplace accidents, traffic accidents, hypertension, balance, slip, trips, or falls, cognitive measures, or disability retirement. Important covariates in these studies were age of employee, type of industry or occupation, or length of employment. Discussion Most authors that evaluated noise exposure concluded that higher exposure to noise resulted in more of the chosen health effect but the relationship is not well understood. Studies that evaluated hearing loss found that hearing loss was related to occupational injury, disability retirement, or traffic accidents. Studies that assessed both noise exposure and hearing loss as risk factors for occupational injuries reported that hearing loss was related to occupational injuries as much or more than noise exposure. Evidence suggests that solvent exposure is likely to be related to accidents or other health consequences such balance disorders. Conclusions Many authors reported that noise exposures and hearing loss, respectively, are likely to be related to occupational accidents. Practical applications The potential significance of the study is that findings could be used by managers to reduce injuries and the costs associated with those injures.

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“…Furthermore, workers within industries may present with variables that may influence the cause and effect relationship (such as factors that affect their hearing, e.g., smoking) regarding noise and solvent exposure on their auditory system, which some studies did not consider, further highlighting the need for stringent inclusion and exclusion participant criteria (Ikuharu et al, 2000 ). Cumulative dose of exposure is the total dose from conducting repeated air measurements over a period of time (Mohammadi et al, 2010 ; Nies, 2012 ). The cumulative dose of exposure is relevant, as it could determine current threshold limits for solvent exposure (Mohammadi et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of combined exposure of solvents and noise on auditory function – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nakhooda

Sartorius

Govender

2019

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

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Background Chemical substances can negatively affect the auditory system. Chemical substances alone or combined with high-level noise have recently become a major concern as a cause of occupational hearing loss. Objective To assess the combined effect of solvents and noise versus solvents only, or noise only, on the auditory function of workers. Method Published articles which included noise and/or solvent exposure or combined effects of solvents and noise, studies conducted on human beings only and the use of audiological tests on participants. Results Thirteen papers were eligible for inclusion. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 68 years. Results revealed that 24.5% presented with hearing loss as a result of noise exposure only; 18% presented with hearing loss owing to solvent exposure only; and a total of 43.3% presented with hearing loss owing to combined noise and solvent exposure. Furthermore, the prevalence of hearing loss in the noise and solvent group was significantly ( p < 0.001) higher than the other groups in 10 out of the 13 studies analysed, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 2.754. Of the 178 participants (total of all participants exposed to solvents), a total of 32 participants presented with auditory pathology as a result of exposure to solvents only. There was a significantly higher pooled odds of hearing loss in noise and solvent-exposed group compared to solvent-only group (pooled OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.24–3.72, p = 0.006). Conclusion The findings revealed significantly higher odds of acquiring hearing loss when workers were exposed to a combination of solvents and noise as opposed to solvents only, motivating for its inclusion into hearing conservation programmes.

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Ototoxic Substances at the Workplace: a Brief Update

Cited by 20 publications

References 7 publications

A survey of the effect of toluene on the impact of noise on hearing loss in workers

A survey of the effect of toluene on the impact of noise on hearing loss in workers

Noise and neurotoxic chemical exposure relationship to workplace traumatic injuries: A review

The effects of combined exposure of solvents and noise on auditory function – A systematic review and meta-analysis

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