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The multisystem health effects of occupational noise exposure on workers
- Hua Miaoyan, Ma Weiwei, Tang Minzhu
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2025, 51(12):
1293-1299.
doi:10.12183/j.scjpm.2025.1293
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Abstract
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Objective This study aimed to investigate the multisystem health effects of occupational noise exposure on industrial workers and to evaluate the extent of these impacts across different exposure levels, thereby providing a scientific basis for the formulation of targeted occupational health protection strategies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among industrial workers exposed to steady-state or non-steady-state impulse noise who underwent occupational health examinations at Wuxi Eighth People's Hospital between January 2024 and March 2025. Participants were categorized into a control group (no exposure), a low-exposure group, a medium-exposure group, and a high-exposure group based on their occupational noise exposure levels. The incidences of high-frequency hearing loss, hypertension, and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities were compared among these groups. A logistic regression model was employed to analyze the effects of occupational noise exposure on the risks of these health outcomes. Results A total of 5 119 workers were included in this study, comprising 807 in the control group, 1 541 in the low-exposure group, 2 011 in the medium-exposure group, and 760 in the high-exposure group. The overall incidence of high-frequency hearing loss was 6.43% (n=329), hypertension was 24.67% (n=1 263), and ECG abnormalities was 41.84% (n=2 142). After adjusting for confounding variables, logistic regression analysis revealed that occupational noise exposure significantly influenced the risk of high-frequency hearing loss, hypertension, and ECG abnormalities. Compared to the non-exposed control group, the risk of high-frequency hearing loss was elevated by 216.7% in the low-exposure group (OR=3.167, 95% CI: 1.811-5.536), 365.0% in the medium-exposure group (OR=4.650, 95% CI: 2.716-7.960), and 421.8% in the high-exposure group (OR=5.218, 95% CI: 2.950-9.229). The risk of hypertension was increased by 48.2% (OR=1.482, 95%CI: 1.185-1.854), 94.9% (OR=1.949, 95% CI: 1.576-2.410), and 159.2% (OR=2.592, 95% CI: 2.036-3.300) in the low-, medium-, and high-exposure groups, respectively. Similarly, the risk of ECG abnormalities was augmented by 298.4% (OR=3.984, 95% CI: 3.203-4.956), 390.7% (OR=4.907, 95% CI: 3.969-6.067), and 732.0% (OR=8.320, 95% CI: 6.535-10.593) across the respective exposure levels. Conclusions Occupational noise exposure poses a significant hazard to the multisystem health of workers, substantially increasing the risks of high-frequency hearing loss, hypertension, and electrocardiogram abnormalities in a dose-response manner. This study provides evidence to support the development of precise occupational health protection strategies. Enhanced preventative measures are warranted, with particular attention to populations with low-level exposure, to mitigate the adverse health effects of noise.