Occupational exposure to noise, hand-arm vibration and organic solvents in dockyard and glass factory workers

摘要

To investigate the possible ototoxic effects of occupational exposure to noise and organic solvents, a database with data on exposure and audiometric hearing thresholds for 646 dockyard and glass factory workers was developed. For each subject, individual occupational exposure to noise and/or organic solvents was evaluated based on work history and exposure data for particular workplaces and/or jobs. The database also included information on the use of individual hearing protectors, current and previous exposure to hand-transmitted vibration, leisure-time and military noise, as well as exposure to ototoxic factors in non-occupational settings. The subject's actual audiometric hearing threshold was compared with an assessment of expected hearing loss, predicted using the ISO 1999:1990 model.