Huntington Beach, CA, April 9th, 2021
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported that across the United States, over 30 million workers are regularly exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear (ototoxic) and hazardous to hearing. Ototoxicants are chemicals that may cause hearing loss or balance problems, regardless of noise exposure. However, the potential for hearing loss can increase when workers are exposed to these chemicals while also around elevated noise levels.
Several years ago, NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published an advisory bulletin on the topic. Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise Exposure offers information about exposure risks to various substances, including certain pesticides, solvents, and pharmaceuticals that contain ototoxicants.
Unfortunately, ototoxicants are quite common in some industries. They include everything from styrene and toluene to carbon monoxide, lead, mercury compounds, and numerous other substances. Occupational exposure may occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. Potential health effects caused by contact vary based on exposure frequency, intensity, duration, and workplace exposure to other hazards, along with individual factors, such as age. Depending on the circumstances, hearing loss may be temporary or permanent.
“With multiple laboratories across California, the scientists at LA Testing offer industrial hygiene and environmental testing services for many of these chemicals,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “In addition to laboratory services, we provide sampling supplies and even carry personal protective equipment (PPE). These services and products are available for workers across the state and assist with regulatory compliance.”
LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about ototoxicity and ear protection that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/Tru2ibUWb04.
To learn more about this or other occupational, environmental, indoor air quality, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.