Blood pressure and serum lipids in industrial workers under intense noise and a hot environment

The aim of the study was to follow the rate of high blood pressure and dyslipidemia in industrial workers in relation to experience under intense noise and a hot environment. We studied 545 male industrial workers comprising 271 subjects working under intense noise (86 to 92 dba), 159 subjects exposed to heat [wet bulb globe temperature of 35.4 degrees C (28.4-41.7 degrees C)], and a control group of 115 subjects with experience of <9; 10-19, or >20 y, which paralleled the age groups of young (< 32 y); middle-aged (33-45 y), and aged workers (> 46 y). Arterial pressure, anthropometric variables, lipid status, smoking, and alcohol use were monitored. The rate of blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg was significantly higher in noise-exposed middle-aged workers and in both exposed groups of aged workers (p < .05). The rate of dyslipidemia was significantly higher in heat-exposed middle-aged workers and in both exposed groups of aged workers (p < .05). Summing up, our data suggest that long-term work under intensive noise or in a hot environment is associated with a greater chance of becoming hypertensive and dyslipidemic. Exposure to noise was related to elevated blood pressure, whereas heat exposure was related to deviations in serum lipids.