Abstract
Ototoxic chemicals can impair the sense of hearing and balance. Lately, efforts have been intensified to compile evidence-based lists of workplace agents with ototoxic properties. This article gives a rough overview of the latest relevant publications, which confirm that toluene, styrene, and lead should receive particular attention as ototoxic substances at the workplace. Moreover, there is sufficient evidence that occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, mercury, carbon monoxide, and carbon disulfide can affect the ear. Based on the existing information, industrial hygienists should make sure that occupational health professionals and the workforce are made aware of the risks posed by ototoxic substances; support their replacement or new technical measures to reduce exposure; make these substances a part of regular screening, develop tools that can early diagnose chemically induced hearing impairment, and investigate further into the ototoxic properties of these substances. Further research should focus on quantifying the combined effects of ototoxic substances and noise.
Highlights
Ototoxic chemicals can impair the sense of hearing and balance
Having examined the existing information, two specialised working groups of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) have concluded that the risk of hearing impairment may become high if the current German occupational exposure limit (OEL) for ototoxic substances are exceeded
- Occupational health professionals and the workforce should be made aware of the risks posed by ototoxic substances
Summary
Ototoxic chemicals can impair the sense of hearing and balance. Lately, efforts have been intensified to compile evidence-based lists of workplace agents with ototoxic properties. Certain chemical substances can have reversible or irreversible effects that impair the sense of hearing and balance They can affect the structure and/or the function of the inner ear (auditory and vestibular apparatus) and the neural pathways from the inner ear to the auditory cortex in the brain. This review focuses on common workplace substances that are assumed to have ototoxic effects These have come to the fore only in the last few decades and mostly include organic solvents, several metals, and asphyxiants like carbon monoxide.
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