Think about… when we are working around chemicals, we typically look at forms of exposure such as inhalation, absorption through the skin, etc., and we wear the appropriate PPE. For example, we may wear a full-face respirator, gloves, and an apron to protect against splash and vapors. But there is one organ that is normally not part of this chemical hazard PPE assessment. Can you guess which organ?
Yep, the ear. About twenty years ago, the EU was doing some toxicology studies for exposure to Toluene. They were interviewing workers who spent their careers working with/around the chemical. And although they were not finding signs of illnesses from the exposures, they did happen to notice a trend in the workers’ ability to hear. So they began to wonder, could some vapors/gases of chemicals cause a form of hearing loss? They recognized that most workers were protected against contact and inhalation hazards, but if they were NOT in a high noise area, they were not wearing any type of hearing protection and the chemicals were able to come into contact with the inner ear. Which brings us to today.
Research demonstrates that exposure to certain chemicals, called ototoxicants, may cause hearing loss or balance problems, regardless of noise exposure. Substances including certain pesticides, solvents, and pharmaceuticals that contain ototoxicants can negatively affect how the ear functions, causing hearing loss, and/or affect balance. The risk of hearing loss increases when workers are exposed to these chemicals while working in elevated noise levels. This combination often results in hearing loss that can be temporary or permanent, depending on the level of noise, the dose of the chemical, and the duration of the exposure. This hearing impairment affects many occupations and industries, from machinists to firefighters.
More from NIOSH on this matter.
CLICK HERE for a paper on the matter.