Heavy metals exposure and hearing loss in US adolescents.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Hearing loss is common and, in young persons, can compromise social development and educational achievement. Exposure to heavy metals has been proposed as an important risk factor for hearing loss.
METHODS
We evaluated the cross-sectional associations between blood lead, blood mercury, and urinary cadmium and arsenic levels and audiometrically determined hearing loss in participants aged 12 to 19 years in the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey after accounting for the complex survey design. There were 2535 individuals available for analysis of blood lead and mercury levels, 878 for urinary cadmium levels, and 875 for urinary arsenic levels. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.
RESULTS
A blood lead level greater than or equal to 2 μg/dL (to convert to micromoles per liter, multiply by 0.0483) compared with less than 1 μg/dL was associated with increased odds of high-frequency hearing loss (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.39-3.56). Individuals in the highest quartile of urinary cadmium levels had significantly higher odds of low-frequency hearing loss than those in the lowest quartile (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.02-9.25). There was no overall association between quartiles of blood mercury or urinary arsenic levels and hearing loss.
CONCLUSION
Blood lead levels well below the current recommended action level are associated with substantially increased odds of high-frequency hearing loss.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Shargorodsky J, Curhan SG, Henderson E, Eavey R, Curhan GC

Institution

Channing Laboratory, 181 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA. Josef_Shargorodsky@meei.harvard.edu

Source

Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery 137:12 2011 Dec pg 1183-9

MeSH

Adolescent
Arsenic
Audiometry, Pure-Tone
Cadmium
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Surveys
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System
Humans
Lead
Lead Poisoning
Logistic Models
Male
Mass Screening
Mercury
Multivariate Analysis
Nutrition Surveys
Odds Ratio
Risk Assessment
United States
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22183895