Relation between noise exposure and blood pressure, hearing complaints in a factory of isolation profile workers

1. Background and AimAim of this study is to determine whether an exposure of noise in the workplace and a relationship between noise exposure and blood pressure, hearing complaints is present.2. MethodsNumber of workers participated in this cross-sectional study was 1050 from 1260 people working in Standard Profil Factory and participation rate was 83.25 %. Questionaire was filled by investigator and 4 sixth year students, 3 health officers working in the factory. Sound levels were measured by two environment engineers from independent company. Odyometers were performed by a health officer treated by occupational doctor working in the healthcare unit of factory.3. ResultsMean age was determined as 30.97±5.51 (Standart Error) and 975 (% 93.21) of the workers were male. In two parts of the factory, sound level was higher than 80 dB from nine parts (KW= 198.878, SD= 8, P<0.0001). Working time in the factory was positively related with systolic (r=0.121; p<0.05) and diastolic (r=0.172; p<0.05) blood pressures; hearing loss in right ear (r=0.161; p<0.05) and left ear (r=0.118; p<0.05).People working in parts where noise levels over than 80 dB were 493 (65.82%) of blue, 31 (40.79%) of white collar workers (X2=17.59, p<0.05). Sound level means of medians of working places were different between blue and white collar workers (t=5.34, p<0.05). 311 (34.25%) of blue collar workers and 18 (14.40%) of white collar workers were employed 2 year and more than 2 years (X2=77.616, P<0.05). Hearing loss was determined in people working less than 1 year in Standard Profil as 13 (52.0%) in blue collar workers and 8 (27.6%) in white collar workers. Time of employment of blue collar workers was shorter than white collar workers. Hearing loss was more in blue collar workers whom employed less than 1 year.4. ConclusionNo association was obtained between noise and hypertension, hearing loss. Hypertension and hearing loss was related with employment time and age. Hearing loss was determined more in blue collar workers employed less than 1 year than white collar workers employed less than 1 year.Changing working places of workers where significant different levels of noise is present will be beneficial for occupational health.5. Key WordsIndustrial noise, hearing loss, hypertension, Düzce.