Exposure to hazardous workplace noise and use of hearing protection devices among US workers--NHANES, 1999-2004.
BACKGROUND
To estimate the prevalence of workplace noise exposure and use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) at noisy work, NIOSH analyzed 1999-2004 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).


METHODS
A total of 9,275 currently employed workers aged > or =16 years were included in the weighted analysis. Hazardous workplace noise exposure was defined as self-reported exposure to noise at their current job that was so loud that the respondent had to speak in a raised voice to be heard. Industry and occupation were determined based on the respondent's current place and type of work.


RESULTS
Twenty-two million US workers (17%) reported exposure to hazardous workplace noise. The weighted prevalence of workplace noise exposure was highest for mining (76%, SE = 7.0) followed by lumber/wood product manufacturing (55%, SE = 2.5). High-risk occupations included repair and maintenance, motor vehicle operators, and construction trades. Overall, 34% of the estimated 22 million US workers reporting hazardous workplace exposure reported non-use of HPDs. The proportion of noise-exposed workers who reported non-use of HPDs was highest for healthcare and social services (73.7%, SE = 8.1), followed by educational services (55.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Hearing loss prevention and intervention programs should be targeted at those industries and occupations identified to have a high prevalence of workplace noise exposure and those industries with the highest proportion of noise-exposed workers who reported non-use of HPDs.
Tak
Sangwoo
S
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. stak@cdc.gov
Davis
Rickie R
RR
Calvert
Geoffrey M
GM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D004430:Ear Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult