Non-auditory effects of noise in industry. V. A field study in a shipyard.

Workers of a shipbuilding and a machine shop department of a shipyard, with average noise levels of 98 dB(A) and 85.5 dB(A) respectively, were compared with respect to auditory and non-auditory effects. The distribution of years of noise exposure and of age was similar in both departments. No difference in blood pressure was observed after correction for age and relative body weight, however, the cross-sectional study design may have obscured a relationship. Analysis of other adverse working conditions could not explain the absence of a relationship between noise exposure and blood pressure. Noise-induced hearing loss and noise annoyance were observed far more frequently in the shipbuilding department in comparison with the machine shop. There were no differences in the consumption of pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol and tobacco.