The interactive effect of chronic exposure to noise and job complexity on changes in blood pressure and job satisfaction: A longitudinal study of industrial employees.

Abstract

The hypothesis of this study was that noise exposure level and job complexity interact to affect changes in blood pressure (BP) levels and job satisfaction over 2-4 years of follow-up. Results showed that among workers exposed to high noise, those with complex jobs showed increases in BP that were more than double shown by those with simple jobs. Under low noise exposure, there was a small increase in BP for workers with complex jobs but about a 3-fold increase in workers with simple jobs. The prevalence of elevated BP showed a similar trend. Job satisfaction increased among workers with complex jobs but was much less in those exposed to high noise. It was concluded that exposure to occupational noise has a greater negative impact on changes in BP and job satisfaction over time among those performing complex jobs. In contrast, job complexity had a clear beneficial effect for workers exposed to low noise.

Impact of noise on self-rated job satisfaction and health in open-plan offices: a structural equation modelling approach

“…Previous research showed that job satisfaction was negatively associated with noise exposure (Van Dijk et al, 1987). In particular, chronic noise exposure reduced the job satisfaction of participants with complex jobs (Melamed et al, 2001); however, these studies examined the high ambient noise existing in various industries. The results of this analysis may extend the finding of previous studies to open-plan offices with relatively low ambient noise levels, confirming that longer duration of disturbing noise leads to a decrease in job satisfaction.…”

“…The literature shows that noise has a negative impact on job satisfaction and health when the occupants are chronically exposed to high-intensity sounds (Melamed et al, 2001;Raffaello and Maass, 2002). Evans and Johnson (2000) reported that chronic low-level noise exposure in offices may also have adverse effects on health, self-reported job stress, and satisfaction with work environment.…”

Shift work, occupational noise and physical workload with ensuing development of blood pressure and their joint effect on the risk of coronary heart disease

“…Most studies on noise exposure and blood pressure or hypertension have shown a positive association (1-7), but there are also studies that have not found any association between noise exposure and blood pressure or hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases (8)(9)(10). In his review of 1989, Kristensen (8) ascertained that, in over 50% of studies, weak correlations, no correlations, and even negative correlations have been found between noise exposure and the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.…”

Long-term effect of occupational noise on the risk of coronary heart disease

“…In a meta-analysis of studies published before 2000, van Kempen et al (5) concluded that a significant increase in systolic blood pressure was evident for occupational noise exposure although there were also contrary findings. The finding that the effect of noise exposure on blood pressure depended on job complexity was considered to have had some influence on the contrasting results (6).…”