建設労働者の聴力障害（Am J Ind Med. 2018）
Hearing loss among older construction workers: Updated analyses.
Dement J et al. Am J Ind Med. 2018 Apr;61(4):326-335.
建設労働者の間に騒音性難聴が多いことは知られていましたが、デューク大学のDement博士らは2017年のアメリカ人労働者調査で再検討を行いました。
研究結果はAm J Ind Med誌に発表されました。
調査はアメリカ人労働者19000人を対象に行われました。
対象全体の58％に聴力障害を認めました。建設労働者では他業種の労働者にくらべ、聴力障害のリスクが有意に高く、業務歴が長いほど高くなっていました。騒音ばく露、有機溶剤ばく露、高血圧、喫煙が聴力障害のリスクになっていました。
論文の詳細はこちら。
Abstruct
Background:A prior study of this construction worker population found significant noise-associated hearing loss. This follow-up study included a much larger study population and consideration of additional risk factors.
Methods:Data included audiometry, clinical chemistry, personal history, and work history. Qualitative exposure metrics for noise and solvents were developed. Analyses compared construction workers to an internal reference group with lower exposures and an external worker population with low noise exposure.
Results:Among participants (n = 19 127) an overall prevalence of hearing loss of 58% was observed, with significantly increased prevalence across all construction trades. Construction workers had significantly increased risk of hearing loss compared to reference populations, with increasing risk by work duration. Noise exposure, solvent exposure, hypertension, and smoking were significant risk factors in multivariate models.
Conclusions:Results support a causal relationship between construction trades work and hearing loss. Prevention should focus on reducing exposure to noise, solvents, and cigarette smoke.