Everyone knows that loud noise is what leads to hearing loss. However, most people don’t realize that chemicals can also cause an individual to lose their hearing.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) wants more people to know that mishandling certain chemicals can cause damage to the human ear, leading to hearing loss.
Ototoxicants cause damage to the ear
In its December 2023 eNewsletter, NIOSH pointed out that hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical health condition among adults in the U.S. The organization also said that not all of those cases of hearing loss were caused by workplace noise.
Chemicals known as ototoxicants can cause damage to different parts of the ear resulting in hearing loss or noise sensitivity.
Exposure can occur from breathing in ototoxicants or consuming food or drinks contaminated with the chemical. When exposure occurs, ototoxicants travel through the bloodstream where they can injure the ear and damage nerves that transmit information to the brain.
These chemicals are common and include:
- solvents
- degreasers
- fuels
- mercury
- lead
- tobacco smoke
- pesticides, and
- cancer-treating drugs.
Consulting toxicological profiles, using PPE can aid in prevention
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Toxicology Profile webpage is a good source for checking whether a certain chemical is an ototoxicant. Simply find the chemical of interest and read its “Health Effects” section.
Obviously, if workers are exposed to both loud noise and these chemicals, this could lead to more severe damage than exposure to either one alone.
To prevent ototoxic chemical exposure, NIOSH suggests:
- reading and following all requirements on each chemical’s toxicological profile
- wearing PPE such as chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves and eye protection as needed, and
- considering all the risk factors and how to control them.
If noise is also a hazard, then hearing PPE should be worn as well.
The NIOSH noise and occupational hearing loss webpage has more information about protecting workers from ototoxic chemicals.