Noise and hearing loss in the agricultural setting.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Henderson D ; Themann CL
• Description:
  Nearly 10 percent of the 3.6 million United States farmers and an unknown portion of the additional 11.8 million farm family members, part-time farmers, and hired workers are exposed to average daily noise levels in excess of 85 dB(A), the level at which industrial workers are mandated by OSHA to be protected by a hearing conservation program. Numerous studies have documented a high incidence of hearing loss among farm workers, a finding generally attributed to these high noise levels. Although it is fairly apparent that farmers are at risk for and often develop noise-induced hearing loss, there is little information on actual exposure levels. Most investigations have focused on noise levels produced by tractors; there is virtually no information on levels produced by other farm equipment, livestock or processes. There is also little information on changes in sound levels over time as equipment ages or is modified by the farmer. A more basic problem is adequate characterization of noise exposure in this setting. The OSHA dosage calculations and damage-risk criteria for industry do not take into account farmers' highly seasonal exposure patterns, which are typified by 12-15 hour exposures during peak seasons, preventing adequate recovery prior to re-exposure. Noise-induced hearing loss results from the gradual destruction of sensory hair cells within the cochlea. It is a subtle process which eludes notice until sufficient cells have been damaged so as to produce a decrease in auditory sensitivity. Once damaged, however, the hair cells cannot be repaired or replaced, even through medical intervention. Therefore, the key is prevention through education as to the hazards of noise and the protective measures which may guard against it. Farmers want health and safety information made available to them, and initial hearing conservation efforts in this population have been well received. This presentation will summarize the available literature on noise-exposure levels in the agricultural setting, their apparent effects on the hearing of farmers, research questions which need to be addressed, and how the Farm Family Health and Hazard Survey and other projects through NIOSH's Agricultural Initiative are beginning to address these problems.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Azo Compounds Biochemistry Carcinogens Coloring Agents Energy Metabolism Food Handling Food Industry Hazardous Substances Occupational Health Safety

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• Keywords:
  Agricultural-industry Agricultural-workers Environmental Exposure Exposure Levels Families Farmers Farm Workers Hazards Hearing Hearing Conservation Hearing Loss Humans Men Noise Noise Exposure Noise Induced Hearing Loss Noise Levels Risk Factors Safety-practices Women Work Environment Worker-health Workers

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• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  555
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055989
• Citation:
  Papers and Proceedings of the Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety and Health (FarmSafe 2000). Myers ML, Herrick RF, Olenchock SA, Myers JR, Parker, John E., Hard DL, Wilson K, eds. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-105, 1992 Sep; :555
• CAS Registry Number:
  Alachlor (CAS RN 15972-60-8)
• Editor(s):
  Myers ML ; Herrick RF ; Olenchock SA ; Myers JR ; Parker, John E. ; Hard DL ; Wilson K
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1992
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Papers and Proceedings of the Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety and Health (FarmSafe 2000), April 30-May 3, 1991, Des Moines, Iowa
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:4b83121181cdb394b1c3f1c0699db352cfa01dce907421391127f7c3c8e06db318659e13065d32289f430de99f1a08270e94e43c02cd4177f4635696e66c8461
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/181760/cdc_181760_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 65.91 KB ]