Occupational Loud Noise Affects Workers' Heart Health

Approximately 22 million workers in the United States are exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels each year, and 30 million are exposed to harmful toxins or chemicals that may affect their hearing, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Whether it's aviation, construction or manufacturing, many industries carry a risk of hearing loss due to the presence of loud noise. However, there's another health hazard of loud noise that's often overlooked: heart disease.

A new study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has found that workers who are exposed to loud noise for a prolonged length of time are more likely to develop high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol than their counterparts who aren't exposed to loud noise. Published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, this study sheds light on a hazard of loud noise that often goes unnoticed.

High blood pressure and cholesterol are two major risk factors of heart disease, which the CDC says it responsible for roughly 610,000 deaths in the United States each year.

When speaking about the findings. Dr. John Howard explained that controlling noise levels in the workplace is essential for protecting workers from hearing loss. However, it's also important for protecting workers from high blood pressure and cholesterol.

"Reducing workplace noise levels is critical not just for hearing loss prevention — it may also impact blood pressure and cholesterol," says Dr. John Howard, director of the NIOSH. Howard added that "Worksite health and wellness programs that include screenings for high blood pressure and cholesterol should also target noise-exposed workers."

It's unclear exactly how exposure to loud noise contributes to high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Some researchers theorize that it's related to the increased stress of loud noise. When exposed to loud noise, workers become more stressed, which could result in higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Other researchers believe that loud noise causes biochemical changes that affect blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Regardless the reason, though, it's safe to assume that exposure to loud noise increases the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, thus increasing the risk of heart disease.

So, what can you do to protect workers from loud noise in your workplace? First and foremost, follow the NIOSH's recommendations by limiting occupational loud noise to 85 decibels. You should also provide workers with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include noise-cancelling headphones or hearing protection in high-risk occupations. Following these otherwise simple tips can protect workers from the health hazards of loud noise.