RESUMEN

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are a type of cancer immunotherapy, have been associated with the development of adverse events related to an overactive immune system caused by the effect of this type of therapy. It affects a wide range of organs, including the ear and eye. Ophthalmic toxicity related to immune checkpoint inhibitors usually occurs bilaterally. Corneal toxicity (mainly dry eye disease) and uveitis are the most commonly reported patterns of toxicity. Other patterns of involvement include optic neuritis, serous retinal detachment, keratitis, ophthalmoplegia, and ocular myasthenia, but are not limited to them. Potential factors contributing to the development of toxicity are age, previous history of ocular immune disease, type, doses, and duration of treatment, and race. Ototoxicity is also reported in the literature, usually manifesting as bilateral, symmetrical/asymmetrical hearing loss. Ear toxicity presenting as ear fullness, tinnitus, and vertigo has also been mentioned in the literature. Hearing loss is often associated with word/speech recognition. An audiogram usually shows a pattern of sensorineural hearing loss. Otitis media has also been reported to be a potential cause of ear toxicity. Immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity was present more commonly when used along with other anti-neoplastic agents. Ear toxicity, which presumably results from damage to the melanocytes in the ear, often presents with other melanocytotic manifestations, like uveitis and vitiligo. According to the literature, some agents (ipilimumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, and pembrolizumab) were more commonly associated with toxic effects on the eye and ear and more when combined with each other.

RESUMEN

This paper summarizes the currently available knowledge on the impact of infrasound and low frequency noise (LFN) on human health and well-being. This narrative review of the literature data was based on the selected, mostly, peer-reviewed research papers, review articles, and meta-analyses that were published in 1973-2022. It has been focused on infrasound perception, annoyance attributed to infrasound and low-frequency noise, as well as their effects on the cardiovascular system and sleep disorders. Particular attention was also paid to the latest research results and specific sources of infrasound and LFN, i.e., wind turbines. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):317-32.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Noise is a common harmful factor in our work and the environment. Most studies have investigated the auditory effects of noise exposure; however, few studies have focused on the extra-auditory effects of exposure to occupational or environmental noise. This study aimed to systematically review published studies on the extra-auditory effects of noise exposure. We reviewed literature from PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to July 2022, using the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome criteria and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify studies that reported extra-auditory effects of occupational or environmental noise exposure. Studies were evaluated utilizing validated reporting tools (CONSORT, STROBE) appropriate to study design. A total of 263 articles were identified, of which 36 were finally selected and reviewed. Upon conducting a review of the articles, exposure to noise can elicit a variety of extra-auditory effects on humans. These effects include circulatory effects linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease and decreased endothelial function, nervous system effects correlated with sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, and mental health problems, immunological and endocrinal effects connected to increased physiological stress response and metabolic disorders, oncological and respiratory effects associated with an elevated risk of acoustic neuroma and respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal effects linked to an increased risk of gastric or duodenal ulcer, and obstetric effects connected to the risk of preterm birth. Our review suggests that there are numerous extra-auditory effects of noise exposure on human, and further investigations are needed to fully understand these effects.

RESUMEN

There is a recent trend to place more emphasis on noise non-auditory effects. Despite its implications on health, there is a lack of recommendations for noise in occupational settings. This study aimed to present occupational exposure limits for noise-induced non-auditory effects in healthy males using empirical exposure-response regression models based on the data of laboratory and field considering the effective variables. To this end, the equivalent noise level was measured and recorded in four working settings including closed offices, open-plan offices, control rooms, and industrial workplaces during a normal working day. They were 65, 68, 73, and 80dB(A), respectively. In the laboratory, 31 healthy males were exposed to five noise conditions (four noisy conditions and one quiet) during 8 h and they were asked to perform the cognitive tests. In the field phase, 124 healthy males were also examined from four working settings in their workstations for 8 h. The psychophysiological parameters of the participants were recorded in both lab and field. The results indicated variations in mental responses at levels above 55dBA, and psychophysiological variations at levels above 70dB(A) in both phases. The findings also showed that the developed regression models could plausibly predict the noise-induced psychophysiological responses during exposure to noise levels; thus, they can be presented the likely exposure limits. Based on the results of the models, the levels <55dB(A) are likelihood of the acoustic comfort limit, and the levels ranged from 55 to 65dB(A) are the acoustic safe limits. The acoustic caution limit is the likelihood of the levels ranged from 65 to 75dB(A). The levels ranged from 75 to 80dB(A) are likely the action levels or control limits, and the occupational exposure limit are the probability of levels> 80dB(A).

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

For several decades, low-frequency ultrasound (<100 kHz) has been widely used in industry, medicine, commerce, military service and the home. The objective of the study was to present the current state of the art on the harmful effects of low-frequency airborne ultrasound on people, especially in occupational settings. The scientific literature search was performed using accessible medical and other databases (WOS, BCI, CCC, DRCI, DIIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, SCIELO and ZOOREC), and the obtained results were then hand-searched to eliminate non-relevant papers. This review includes papers published in 1948-2018. The potential effects of the low-frequency airborne ultrasound have been classified as auditory and non-auditory effects, including subjective, physiological, and thermal effects. In particular, already in the 1960-1970s, it was demonstrated that ultrasonic exposure, when sufficiently intense, appeared to result in a syndrome involving nausea, headache, vomiting, disturbance of coordination, dizziness, and fatigue, and might cause a temporary or permanent hearing impairment. However, since that time, not too much work has been done. Further studies are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn about the auditory and non-auditory effects of low-frequency airborne ultrasound. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(4):389-408.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Noise is an ever increasing product of our environment. The increased noise levels cause auditory as well as non-auditory effects on health. The relationship between noise and hearing loss has been well established. However non-auditory effects of noise on health though known are understudied and underreported. Hence awareness about the prevalence of these deleterious effects, its prevention and appropriate remedial measures is the need of the hour.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Excessive noise affects human health and interferes with daily activities. Although environmental noise may not directly cause mental illness, it may accelerate and intensify the development of latent mental disorders. Noise sensitivity (NS) is considered a moderator of non-auditory noise effects. In the present study, we aimed to assess whether NS is associated with non-auditory effects. METHODS: We recruited a community sample of 1836 residents residing in Ulsan and Seoul, South Korea. From July to November 2015, participants were interviewed regarding their demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, medical history, and NS. The non-auditory effects of noise were assessed using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression, Insomnia Severity index, State Trait Anxiety Inventory state subscale, and Stress Response Inventory-Modified Form. Individual noise levels were recorded from noise maps. A three-model multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors that might affect psychiatric illnesses. RESULTS: Participants ranged in age from 19 to 91 years (mean: 47.0 ± 16.1 years), and 37.9% (n = 696) were male. Participants with high NS were more likely to have been diagnosed with diabetes and hyperlipidemia and to use psychiatric medication. The multivariable analysis indicated that even after adjusting for noise-related variables, sociodemographic factors, medical illness, and duration of residence, subjects in the high NS group were more than 2 times more likely to experience depression and insomnia and 1.9 times more likely to have anxiety, compared with those in the low NS group. Noise exposure level was not identified as an explanatory value. CONCLUSIONS: NS increases the susceptibility and hence moderates there actions of individuals to noise. NS, rather than noise itself, is associated with an elevated susceptibility to non-auditory effects.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether acoustical refurbishment of classrooms for elementary and lower secondary grade pupils affected teachers' perceived noise exposure during teaching and noise-related health symptoms. METHODS: Two schools (A and B) with a total of 102 teachers were subjected to an acoustical intervention. Accordingly, 36 classrooms (20 and 16 in school A and school B, respectively) were acoustically refurbished and 31 classrooms (16 and 15 in school A and school B, respectively) were not changed. Thirteen classrooms in school A were interim "sham" refurbished. Control measurements of RT and activity sound levels were measured before and after refurbishment. Data on perceived noise exposure, disturbance attributed to different noise sources, voice symptoms, and fatigue after work were collected over a year in a total of six consecutive questionnaires. RESULTS: Refurbished classrooms were associated with lower perceived noise exposure and lower ratings of disturbance attributed to noise from equipment in the class compared with unrefurbished classrooms. No associations between the classroom refurbishment and health symptoms were observed. Before acoustical refurbishment, the mean classroom reverberation time was 0.68 (school A) and 0.57 (school B) and 0.55 s in sham refurbished classrooms. After refurbishment, the RT was approximately 0.4 s in both schools. Activity sound level measurements confirmed that the intervention had reduced the equivalent sound levels during lessons with circa 2 dB(A) in both schools. CONCLUSION: The acoustical refurbishment was associated with a reduction in classroom reverberation time and activity sound levels in both schools. The acoustical refurbishment was associated with a reduction in the teachers' perceived noise exposure, and reports of disturbance from equipment in the classroom decreased. There was no significant effect of the refurbishment on the teachers' voice symptoms or fatigue after work.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Acoustics issues such as noise in the workplace remains one of the most prevalence occupational hazard especially in the manufacturing industry with heavy machineries. Increasing mechanization in all industries and most trades has since proliferated the noise problem. In Malaysia, much has been studied and is known about the auditory effects of noise. However less attention has been given to the non-auditory effects of noise such as annoyance, stress, and work performance, and concern about such effects is a relatively recent phenomenon. In view of this, this study aims to determine the level of noise from different type of machines and tools in a manufacturing plant and also the effects of noise to the employees. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the effects of noise on the workers and sound level meter was used to measure the noise level at selected work areas. The results of this study showed that nearly all the identified work areas exceeded the action level of 85 dB(A) and four of these areas noise levels’ are more than 90 dB(A) which is the permissible exposure limit according to the Factories and Machinery (Noise Exposure) Regulations 1989. For the questionnaire, it was found that annoyance topped the noise effects list with 51.4%, followed by stress with 40.0%, hearing deterioration (14.3%) and job performance deterioration (2.9%). As a conclusion, noise control or preventive measures are suggested in order to minimize the health risks from noise exposure.

RESUMEN

65 healthy young male subjects(20-25 age) were divided into test group(N = 25) and control group(N = 40) .The test group were exposed to intense noise environ-ment(124dBA)and the control group in relatively quiet condition(80dBA) for 1 hour.At the end of 1 hour exposure, the blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiograph were m asured, and compared with that of pre-exposure.The results showed that the dia-stolic BP were rised,heart rate became slow and irregular after exposure to intense noise