More than five million workers in France, particularly in construction, mechanics and metalworking, are exposed to noise at levels that are harmful to their health, sometimes leading to deafness, according to a study published Tuesday by Public Health France.
"Occupational exposure to noise has health impacts. Below 80 decibels over 8 hours of work, the effects, which are reversible, are auditory (tinnitus, etc.) and extra-auditory (fatigue, cardiovascular problems, etc.). Above this level, the level is considered to be lesional, with potentially irreversible hearing damage (deafness)," explains the agency.
For the first time, Public Health France has provided estimates of this exposure among all workers in France, whether salaried or not, over the period 2007-2019, i.e. before the Covid era.
Main conclusion: 20.5% of workers were exposed in 2019 to a noise level of at least 70 decibels over 8 hours of work (the equivalent of a working day): 13.2% to a hearing fatigue level and 7.3% to a damage level.
There was no "significant change" over the period 2007-2019, according to the scientists.
In 2019, men represented nearly 80% of workers exposed to noise levels that pose a health risk.
The construction industry had the highest number of exposed workers (over 1.3 million), ahead of transport, logistics, and tourism. The mechanical and metalworking sector had the highest proportion of workers exposed to noise (77.91 million).
There are some limitations to this study, its authors note. For example, it does not allow for consideration of specific exposure situations related to a company, a work organization, or a workstation.
The results could, however, help to better target prevention in particular, judges Public Health France.
Hearing damage caused by injurious noise can already be recognized as occupational diseases.
In 2022, 320 illnesses of this type were recognized in the general social security system, compared to 704 in 2016. "But this figure would be largely underestimated," points out the health agency: 15,900 cases of deafness would not have been declared in 2022, according to the commission on the under-reporting of work accidents and occupational illnesses.
English 
French