Comparison of Operational Jet Fuel and Noise Exposures: Japan Study Report

Abstract

The study examined effects on hearing in flightline personnel with combined exposure to jet fuel and noise. Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) analyzed 15 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), known jet fuel components, in breathing zone air samples, as well as in blood and urine (Ohrui, et al., 2023) of 168 volunteer subjects at 5 JASDF ABs and 2 US Air Force (AF) ABs in Japan. The USAF analyzed noise dosimetry, microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers, metabolomic biomarkers and an audiometric test battery, consisting of otoscopy, immittance measurements, otoacoustic emissions, auditory brain response, and audiograms at the 7 bases in Japan. While VOCs were below exposure limits, noise levels were higher than OSHA and ACGIH exposure limits. Hearing tests showed significant differences and trends towards potential hearing loss. Biomarker analysis of urinary metabolites and miRNA from blood showed varying degrees of differences between subjects, fuels, and bases.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 29, 2024
Accession Number
AD1230899

Entities

People

  • Alex Gubler
  • Asao Kobayashi
  • Camilla Mauzy
  • Daniel A. Williams
  • David R. Mattie
  • Dirk Yamamoto
  • Elizabeth Mckenna
  • Kerrine Leguin
  • Nobuhiro Ohrui
  • Patricia A. Hammer
  • Rhonda Pitsch
  • Satoshi Maryuyama
  • Thomas Jaworek

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Petroleum Engineering