Occupational Noise Exposure May Induce Oxidative DNA Damage

Occupational noise enhances the risk of several cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. The reason behind the drastic effects of noise exposure is the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species molecules. The present study investigates oxidative stress due to occupational noise exposure in 192 male smoking workers exposed to normal noise (sound level ≤80 dBA), low noise (sound level 81-94 dBA), and loud noise (sound level ≥95 dBA). University-aged volunteers were selected for the normal sound exposed group. Drivers and conductors were selected for the low-noise exposed group, and workers of power loom factories were chosen for the high-noise exposed group. Oxidative stress was estimated using 8 OHdG as a biomarker for oxidative DNA damage. Serum aldosterone and serum cortisol level was estimated using the enzyme immunoassay method. Results indicated that 8 OHdG level was significantly different in different exposure groups. It was highest in the low-noise exposed group (0.370±0.017 ng/ml) and lowest in the normal-sound exposed group (0.22±0.01 ng/ml). Level of 8 OHdG in the high-noise exposed group was 0.29±0.00. There was no significant variation of aldosterone levels among different groups. Cortisol levels of both noise groups was higher than that of the normal sound group. It can be concluded that noise exposure induces stress in the Pakistani population. This stress leads to oxidative DNA damage.