Nonauditory and Auditory Impact of Daily Noise Exposure on Traffic Policemen in Chandigarh, India.

Background: Noise-induced nonauditory effects and hearing loss are increasingly recognized as significant occupational health risks.

Objectives: The study investigates the nonauditory and auditory effects of daily noise exposure on traffic policemen in Chandigarh, focusing on their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward noise pollution.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, comparing 100 traffic policemen exposed to noise pollution with a control group of policemen working in quieter office settings.

Results: The Chi-square test showed a statistically significant association between stress and irritation among traffic policemen compared to their office-based counterparts (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in responses regarding disturbance, headache, loss of sleep, or hypertension (P > 0.05). Self-assessment of auditory effects revealed that 56% of traffic policemen experienced symptoms of tinnitus, compared to 29% of general policemen. Diurnal noise levels at various traffic junctions in Chandigarh showed the highest (Leq) near the airport light point junction (79.9-78.8 dB) and the lowest at the Sukhna Lake entry point (72.0-69.89 dB). Average noise levels across all locations ranged from 76.04 to 75.30 dB, both during peak and nonpeak hours, well above the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 65 dB for traffic areas. Most traffic policemen were unaware of the harmful effects of noise pollution and did not consider it an occupational hazard.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for stricter enforcement of noise control policies and increased awareness of noise pollution to reduce its impact on public health, particularly regarding noncommunicable diseases.