Study of occupational noise hazards and noise-induced hearing loss in a cigarette factory

[Objective]To understand the occupational noise intensity in product processing and its effect on hearing impairment of workers in a cigarette factory.[Methods]Noise assessments and noise monitoring were conducted at the workplace,collecting data on noise intensity,noise spectrum,and levels of noise exposure.And the relationship between hearing loss levels and occupations,lengths of service was analyzed.[Results]The over standard rate of noise was 37.96%,with intensity ranged between 72.5-96.4 dB(A),33.44% operation spots had noise hazard.The noise spectrum(125-4 000 Hz) fell into stationary broadband one.Among those occupationally exposed to noise,20.8 % of them suffered from hearing loss.As for hearing loss among employees of different occupations,it was shown that those undertaking tasks producing higher noise,such as tobacco re-drying,are more vulnerable to hearing damage than others.And as far as lengths of service were concerned,workers with longer lengths of service were more likely to suffer from noise-induced hearing loss,and the incidence was significantly different between age groups(P0.01).[Conclusion]Noise exposure in the workplace has caused a certain damage on the health of workers.It is necessary to improve the working environment and to strengthen the occupational health supervision and administration.