Health risks of noise exposure
Exposure to noise in our work environment causes a number of physiological and psychological responses. Noise can have the following effects:
- annoyance and speech interference
- interference with concentration and thought processes
- sleep disturbance
- fatigue and aggression
- reduced immune response
- heart disease
The body's automatic nervous system attempts to adjust the body functions by:
- increasing the heart rate and raising the blood pressure
- releasing the hormones adrenalin and cortisol
Adrenalin prepares the body's 'fight or flight' reaction and cortisol prepares the body for stress. However, prolonged high levels of adrenalin and cortisol under stressful working conditions may lead to more serious health effects. Some of the main effects are:
- raised blood pressure
- acceleration of heart rate
- stress which can lead to irritability and headaches
- hypertension increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks, reduced white blood cell count
- reduced immune response
- gastric ulcers
These effects can happen with both high and low level noise exposure in the workplace.
High level noise may cause initially dull hearing with perhaps ringing in the ear as well. With regular exposures this will lead to loss of hearing as well as health effects.
Low level noise experienced as annoying or as interfering with activities or concentration, causes stress and similar health effects as high level noise.
Effective noise control measures have a positive effect on people. They increase a sense of well being and privacy which in turn results in a greater acceptance of the work environment.
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