Synergistic effect of Carbon-monoxide, Noise, Smoking and Hypertension on Hearing of Steel Industry workers

Volume 1 - Issue 2

Pragnya Prusty*, Kaibalyabala Mohanty and Subhasmita Sahoo

Received: August 03, 2018;   Published: August 08, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/SJO.2018.01.000106

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Abstract

The synergistic effect of Carbon-monoxide, Noise, Smoking and Hypertension on Hearing of Steel Industry workers in Odisha has been examined in the present study. The objectives of the present study were to assess the auditory effects of the combined exposure of CO, Noise, Impact of smoking and Hypertension. 72 male workers (smokers and non-smokers) from the steel industry were examined, among which 62 were exposed to noise and CO (CEG- Continuously Exposed Group) simultaneously and 10 workers exposed to only noise (IEG-Intermittently Exposed Group). Biological concentrations of CO in blood (COHb), hypertension was measured considering smoking habits, the type of exposure (CO and noise or noise only), the time of exposure, the level of noise & age and audiometric tests were done to assess hearing ability. It has been observed that the noise levels measured in SMS, RMS, MBF s &Power plant sections is more than PEL i.e. 8 hours, TWA 90 dBA specified in the state regulations. Workers were not using ear protection devices. Study indicate the prevalence of hearing impairment was significantly more in CEG (85.14%) as compared to IEG (14.81%). The noise exposure and hearing impairment was found to be significant (p< 0.05). Positive relation was found among the level of noise, CO, Smoking & Hypertension (p< 0.05). The results of present study indicate that hypertension & hearing impairment are common problem among workers exposed to high levels of occupational noise.

Keywords: Synergistic effect; Carbon-monoxide; Hypertension; NIHL; Steel industry

Abbreviations: TTS: Temporary Threshold Shift; NIHL: Noise Induced Hearing Loss; SMG: Steel Melting Section; RMS: Rolling Mill Section; IEG: Intermittently Exposed Group

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