Abstract
Introduction: Simultaneous exposure to certain chemical agents and noise may cause synergistic, additive or potentiating effects on the auditory and vestibular system. However, there is still a lack of studies investigating simultaneous exposure to pesticides and noise in the vestibular system. Purpose: To analyze the findings of the vestibular evaluation of endemic diseases combat agents when simultaneously exposed to pesticides and noise. Method: Thirty-three male pesticide-exposed and noise-fighting endemic diseases combat agents participated in the study. The age range was 48 to 67 years (mean = 56 years). All participants underwent vestibular examinations, such as positional nystagmus research, spontaneous nystagmus with open and closed eyes, semi-spontaneous nystagmus, optokinetic nystagmus, pendular screening, per rotatory, caloric tests and tonal audiometry. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Altered exams were presented in 36.4% of the cases. There was no statistically significant relationship between pesticide handling time and test results (p = 0.2825). The results of pure tone audiometry correlated significantly (p = 0.0494) with the vestibular exams, as participants who presented with worse hearing thresholds at the frequency of 4000 Hz in the right ear also presented altered results in the vestibular exam. Conclusion: The present study concluded that more than 1/3 of the studied population presented with vestibular dysfunction, which was related to anterior and posterior labyrinth alteration (Cochlear-Vestibular Syndrome). No central vestibular alteration was noted in this population.
Highlights
Simultaneous exposure to certain chemical agents and noise may cause synergistic, additive or potentiating effects on the auditory and vestibular system
To analyze the findings of the vestibular evaluation of endemic diseases combat agents when simultaneously exposed to pesticides and noise
The contamination may be through skin absorption and breathing, especially among the agents that spray the pesticides [4]. They are not exposed to pesticides alone, and to noise from the automatic pump sprayers and heavy ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers
Summary
Simultaneous exposure to certain chemical agents and noise may cause synergistic, additive or potentiating effects on the auditory and vestibular system. There is still a lack of studies investigating simultaneous exposure to pesticides and noise in the vestibular system. Purpose: To analyze the findings of the vestibular evaluation of endemic diseases combat agents when simultaneously exposed to pesticides and noise. Method: Thirty-three male pesticide-exposed and noise-fighting endemic diseases combat agents participated in the study. The endemic diseases combat agents (EDCA) are professionals who work in public health preventing and fighting diseases present in the environment, such as dengue fever, Chagas’ disease, leishmaniasis, and malaria [1]. Their job includes inspecting houses, empty lots, warehouses, and commercial establishments, searching for outbreaks of endemic diseases. The noise level is reported in a few studies related to pesticide exposure, its assessment is advisable
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