Non-auditory effects of noise in industry. III. Secondary analysis of a national survey.

A secondary analysis of data from a national survey was carried out in order to assess the number of industrial workers exposed to noise and other adverse working conditions. This permitted us to study correlations with parameters of health. More than half of the male blue collar workers in industry and building trades (sample n = 311) reported a great deal of noise. Dirty work and strenuous physical activity were also frequently mentioned. Noise exposure is often present together with exposure to stench and dirty and dangerous work. A weak correlation exists between reported noise exposure and experienced ill-being and diminished satisfaction with their own health. This observed relationship probably underestimates the true risks.