Occupational exposure to noise pollution in anesthesiology.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The harmful effects of workplace noise pollution are well known and described in the literature. The effects of prolonged exposure to noise in areas demanding high level of concentration, such as operating rooms, depend on the variability of individual responses and intensity of different generation sources. The aim of this paper is to present a review of occupational exposure to noise in anesthesiology. CONTENT The results of the main articles in literature on the subject are discussed, concerning the sources of noise pollution and its effects on workers, particularly the anesthesiologist. Emphasis is given to legislation and recommendations to minimize the effects caused by noise.