Cross-Sectional Study of Blood Pressure and Electrocardiograms of Forestry Workers Exposed to Both Noise and Local Vibration

Abstract

The blood pressure and electrocardiograms of 953 forestry workers using vibrating tools were investigated to study the chronic effect of noise and local vibration on the cardiovascular system. The mean systolic blood pressure of the workers was significantly higher than that of a comparable population. But there was no associations between blood pressure and the total operation time of chain saws. The bradycardia rate was 2-5 times higher in the subject population than in the general Japanese population. This was considered to be an adaptive response to an increase in oxygen demand while working in the forest. Though there were no results suggesting the relationship among noise., local vibration and the cardiovascular system., operators with vibration-induced white fingers showed a significantly higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation than those without. © 1988, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. All rights reserved.