Occupational Exposure to Noise in France in 2019

Introduction – Occupational exposure to noise has health implications. Below 80 dB(A) over an 8-hour workday (denoted as dB(A)Lex,8h), the effects—which are reversible—include auditory symptoms (tinnitus, etc.) and non-auditory symptoms (fatigue, cardiovascular disorders, etc.). Above this level, the noise is considered harmful, with potentially irreversible hearing damage (deafness). The objective of this study is to describe occupational noise exposure in mainland France in 2019, as well as its overall trend since 2007. Method – A job-exposure matrix assessing exposures ≥70 dB(A)Lex,8h was previously developed by Santé publique France, distinguishing between the non-lesional level and the lesional level (≥80 dB(A)Lex,8h). It was cross-referenced with data from the 2007, 2013, and 2019 population censuses to estimate the proportion, the number of exposed workers, and their sensitivity intervals (SI), according to sex, worker status (salaried/non-salaried), occupational activities, and exposure level. Results – In 2019, more than 5 million workers (5,334,860, RI=[4,130,200–6,119,370]) were exposed to noise (≥70 dB(A)Lex,8h), of whom 35.8% were exposed to a harmful level (≥80 dB(A)Lex,8h). Men accounted for 80% of those exposed. The occupational activity group (OAG) for construction and public works workers had the largest number of exposed workers (1,319,630 [1,100,860–1,452,830]) and the mechanical and metalworking FAP had the highest proportion of workers exposed to noise ≥70 dB(A)Lex,8h (77.9% [69.8–79.1]), as well as to harmful noise (52.3% [44.7–60.4]). Conclusion – To our knowledge, these estimates are the first to document noise exposure, broken down by noise level (between 70 and 80 dB(A)Lex,8h and ≥80 dB(A)Lex,8h), across the entire workforce in France, according to worker status, and regardless of employer. These results will be useful for monitoring this exposure at the population level or for documenting exposure in epidemiological studies on the health effects of noise.

Author(s): Delabre Laurène, Houot Marie, Pelletan Jean-Baptiste, Fort Emmanuel, Pilorget Corinne, Massardier-Pilonchéry Amélie

Publishing year: 2025

Pages: 74-84

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2025, n° 6, p. 74-84

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