Evaluation of the effects of exposure to organic solvents and hazardous noise among US Air Force Reserve personnel

Hughes, H; Hunting, KL

HERO ID

2238693

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

24231416

HERO ID 2238693
In Press No
Year 2013
Title Evaluation of the effects of exposure to organic solvents and hazardous noise among US Air Force Reserve personnel
Authors Hughes, H; Hunting, KL
Journal Noise and Health
Volume 15
Issue 67
Page Numbers 379-387
Abstract Hearing loss affects many workers including those in the military and may be caused by noise, medications, and chemicals. Exposures to some chemicals may lead to an increase in the incidence of hearing loss when combined with hazardous noise. This retrospective study evaluated the risk for hearing loss among Air Force Reserve personnel exposed to occupational noise with and without exposures to toluene, styrene, xylene, benzene, and JP-8 (jet fuel). Risk factors associated with hearing loss were determined using logistic and linear regression. Stratified analysis was used to evaluate potential interaction between solvent and noise exposure. The majority of the subjects were male (94.6%) and 35 years or older on the date of their first study audiogram (66%). Followed for an average of 3.2 years, 9.2% of the study subjects had hearing loss in at least one ear. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03 per year of age) and each year of follow-up time (OR = 1.23) were significantly associated with hearing loss. Low and moderate solvent exposures were not associated with hearing loss. Linear regression demonstrated that hearing loss was significantly associated with age at first study audiogram, length of follow-up time, and exposure to noise. Hearing decreased by 0.04 decibels for every decibel increase in noise level or by almost half a decibel (0.4 dB) for every 10 decibel increase in noise level.
Doi 10.4103/1463-1741.121224
Pmid 24231416
Wosid WOS:000328906200002
Url https://journals.lww.com/nohe/fulltext/2013/15670/evaluation_of_the_effects_of_exposure_to_organic.2.aspx
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments ProQuest URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1668259338?accountid=171501&bdid=64565&_bd=GXNwaYpPyfM2BWOtpyWBunpTbMA%3D URL broken as of 12/9/2024
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Hazardous noise; hearing loss; military; noise; organic chemicals; solvents