The effect of noise and dust exposure on oxidative stress among livestock and poultry feed industry workers

Introduction: Simultaneous exposure to noise and dust may have detrimental health effects. This study was conducted to determine the effect of exposure to noise and dust on oxidative stress. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 82 employees of two livestock and poultry feed factories in Golestan Province, Iran, were selected as the exposed group and 82 office workers were selected as the control group. Occupational noise and dust exposure were measured using a dosimeter, sampling pump, and vinyl chloride filter. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in blood samples. T-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The levels of MDA and SOD in the exposed group were significantly higher and lower than the control group (p < 0.001), respectively. The results showed the subgroup with both over the threshold dust and noise exposure had the highest MDA levels. The SOD level among those exposed to noise more than the recommended level, in the subgroup with more dust exposure, was significantly less than the subgroup with low noise exposure (p = 0.017). Conclusion: Noise and dust exposure probably increase the level of oxidative stress by increasing the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and reducing the level of antioxidant enzymes (SOD). © The Author(s) 2020