Methodical approaches to assessing occupational health risks caused by exposure to 80-85 dB(A) noise

Abstract

Introduction. The contemporary industry has a peculiarity related to impacts exerted by physical factors (a leading one is exposure to noise being higher than safe levels fixed in hygienic standards). According to the Sanitary-epidemiologic requirements No. 2.2.4.3539-16, item 3.2.6, it is necessary to assess health risks for workers who are exposed to noise ranging from 80 to 85 dB(A) at their workplaces.The aim of the study was to develop methodical approaches to quantitative assessment of risks caused by exposure to excess noise and to test them at enterprises located in Perm.Data and methods. When developing methodical approaches, we revised research works that focused on impacts exerted by noise on workers’ bodies and probable responses caused by them as well as on procedures for occupational risks assessment. When testing our approaches, we applied hygienic assessment and epidemiologic analysis procedures, and statistically analyzed data on three enterprises located in Perm (334 workers; 210 out of them were exposed to noise varying from 80 to 85 dB(A) at their workplaces).Results. We suggested the following risk assessment algorithm: creating a test group and a reference one; determining any possible relations between exposure to noise and frequency of responses from the critical body organs and systems under the Guide No. 2.2.1766-03; calculating probability and risks of occupational diseases; comparing obtained results with unacceptable risk levels. We analyzed three enterprises located in Perm and didn’t reveal any occupational diseases. The risk of occupational pathology caused by exposure to noise being higher than MPL (80-85 dB(A)) amounted to 6.4∙10-3 at the enterprise No. 3Conclusion. Suggested approaches to quantitative health risk assessment allow assessing whether exposure to noise is acceptable or not, to meet requirements fixed in the Sanitary-epidemiologic requirements No. 2.2.4.3539-16, item 3.2.6. Assessment results can give grounds for further development of preventive activities and managerial decisions aimed at preserving workers’ health.