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A newly published study highlights a surprising occupational hazard: air shower rooms—commonly used in pharmaceutical plants to decontaminate workers - may pose a risk to hearing health due to their high-speed air jets.
Study Finds Elevated Noise Levels
Researchers working in a hospital’s endoscopy prep and pharmaceutical decontamination areas measured noise from high-pressure air jets (HPAJ) reaching 108 dB(A)—far above typical safety thresholds—and nearly 40 dB louder than ambient zone noise (≈ 69 dB(A)) . Prolonged exposure at this level could significantly increase the risk of hearing loss: for instance, a 7‑year exposure at just 95 dB(A) carries an 11.6 % chance of ≥2.5 dB hearing reduction, rising to a staggering 51.3 % risk at 100 dB(A).
But What About Safety?
Despite these concerning findings, air showers offer considerable benefits:
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Cross-contamination control: Air jets reliably remove particulates, ensuring strict compliance with pharmaceutical hygiene and product safety standards.
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No water usage: Unlike gown-room cleansing systems, air showers avoid water waste and associated slipping hazards.
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Energy efficiency: Brief air blasts consume minimal power compared to other decontamination technologies.
Combining Effect and Mitigation
This issue reflects a broader workplace danger: even “permissible” industrial noise (85–90 dB(A)) has been shown to cause high-frequency hearing impairments over time . The study draws attention to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) as a preventable yet underrecognized risk in modern cleanroom environments.
What can plants do?
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Engineering controls: Enclose air shower ports or apply sound-dampening materials.
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Administrative steps: Limit time spent inside air showers and rotate staff assignments.
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PPE reinforcement: Require wearing of high-NRR earplugs or earmuffs during air shower use.
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Audiometric programs: Institute regular hearing tests for early detection.
Worker Voices: It Matters
A maintenance tech on Reddit describes the value of hearing protection:
“If you wear double and don’t do dumb shit you’ll be fine.”
“Buy better hearing protection than what is issued … Invest in your own hearing pro.”
The message is clear: robust hearing protection—especially “double protection” combining foam plugs and over-ear muffs—can shield vital senses in noisy environments.
Final Thoughts
Air showers remain a cornerstone of contamination control in pharmaceutical manufacturing. However, the new study raises an important red flag: the powerful jets that keep medicines clean could be damaging workers' hearing over time.
To preserve both public health and workforce well-being, pharmaceutical companies must balance microbiological safety with acoustic safety—by assessing noise risks, updating protective gear, and testing workers’ hearing periodically. Supporting clean drugs should never come at the cost of clean hearing.
