Solvent Exposure Associated with Hearing Loss in Department of Energy Workers

Background: Noise and solvents are common hazards among Department of Energy (DOE) workers. While noise is recognized as the leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss (HL) in an occupational setting, organic solvents have also been shown to contribute to HL. DOE workers with solvent exposures who are diagnosed with HL may qualify for federal Workers’ Compensation, while those with strictly noise exposures do not. In the general workforce, OSHA estimates two million workers face hazardous noise exposures and that millions more are exposed to solvents.   

Objective: Analyze the effect of solvent exposures on HL in former DOE workers.  

Methods: Participant audiometry and work-history were reviewed for three DOE facilities.  Workers were employed for at least ten years and reported exposures to noise, chlorinated or aromatic solvents.    

Results: 580 audiometry exams were performed during initial exams for former workers at the Lawrence Livermore, Lawrence Berkeley and Sandia-California National Laboratories. Overall, 49% (287) met OSHA criteria for material HL.  Of the 369 people who reported exposure to both noise and solvents, 54% (200) had HL. In the 163 workers reporting noise exposure only, 37% (60) had HL, while of the 48 reporting solvent exposure only, 56% (27) had HL.  We will present additional data regarding types of solvents used, age, other exposures and job titles affected.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the risk of HL in DOE workers appears increased for those who worked with solvents, both in noise exposed work environments and for those with no reported work-related noise exposures.