DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP IN OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURES: THE DISTORTED QUANTIFICATION OF DOSE THAT MISINFORMS THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY

Background: One of the foundational principles of Medical Sciences is the Dose-Response relationship. When occupational noise is measured, this corresponds to quantifying the Dose. In Portugal, noise is regulated by DL 9/2006 (RGR) which describes the methodologies to be used when quantifying noise levels. Objective: To demonstrate how RGRimposed methodologies are misleading the medical community as to the amount of Dose received and, consequently, compromising the investigation and evaluation of clinical Responses. Methods: High resolution noise measurements were continuously acquired during 7 days in a workplace. Data was analysed with RGR methodologies and compared to more modern and scientifically robust methodologies. Results: A total of 2022 10-minute recordings were collected, two of which were selected for presentation herein. As per the RGR-imposed methodologies, these two samples reflect similar acoustic environments since both exhibit an overall, audible noise level of 28 dBA. Physical reality, however, demonstrates that these two samples have significantly different acoustic environments, one of 89 dB and the other 47 dB. Conclusion: The medical community is being misinformed by the RGR regarding the amount of Dose that workers receive. Consequently, the investigation into potential clinical Responses (health complaints) is frequently deemed (erroneously) to be unnecessary.