Associations of Occupational Heat Stress and Noise Exposure with Carotid Atherosclerosis among Chinese Steelworkers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Occupational exposure to heat stress and noise at the workplace are widespread physical hazards and have been associated with an increase in both morbidity and mortality. This study aims to examine the association between occupational heat stress and noise exposure and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese steelworkers. A total of 3471 subjects were included in this study. Carotid plaque was measured using ultrasonography. The occupational information was collected by face-to-face personal interviews and all of the reported information was verified with the company’s records. Workers were divided into non-exposure and exposure groups according to the company’s records regarding previous and/or current heat stress and noise exposure status in the workplace. The prevalence of carotid plaque was 30.1% in the study population and workers exposed to both occupational heat stress and noise had the highest prevalence of carotid plaque at 37.2%. The odds of carotid plaque in individuals of different exposure status were significantly elevated after adjustment for potential confounders, especially in the heat stress and noise exposure combination group: OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.65, in individuals who had experienced heat stress exposure; OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.88, in individuals who had experienced noise exposure; OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.60 to 2.56, in the combination group. No significant association in female workers and no significant multiplicative or additive interactions were found between occupational heat stress and noise exposure and carotid plaque. Exposure to occupational heat stress and noise are statistically associated with carotid atherosclerosis among male steelworkers.

Relationship of Noise Intensity, Heat Stress, and Physical Workload to Workers' Health Complaints at Semarang Timber Factory

“…The workload is an activity that requires the ability and expertise to do mandatory things in the form of physical and psychological within a particular time [25], and any work that requires muscle strength and the subject's thinking [26]. The workload is the amount of work that must be done, and completed by a person, either individually or in a team, between the amount of work volume and working time [27].…”

Different Exposure Metrics of Rotating Night-Shift Work and Serum Lipid Profiles Among Steelworkers

“…Other sociodemographic information was also collected using a questionnaire on age, sex, and educational level. Four occupational hazard factors (heat stress, noise, dust, and carbon monoxide) were measured by a qualified third-party company, in accordance with the National Occupational Health Standards of the People's Republic of China 17–19 …”

“…Four occupational hazard factors (heat stress, noise, dust, and carbon monoxide) were measured by a qualified third-party company, in accordance with the National Occupational Health Standards of the People's Republic of China. [17][18][19]…”

Impact of occupational heat exposure on blood lipids among petrochemical workers: An analysis of 9-year longitudinal data

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that long-term heat exposure in the workplace can signi cantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (9)(10)(11)(12), while the potential mechanisms remain unclear. Dyslipidemia plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease (13).…”