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Noise and vibration
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2023
Andrew Colthurst, Steve Fisher
Noise is sometimes categorised as environmental noise, neighbour noise, neighbourhood noise and occupational noise. The Environmental Noise Directive or END (2002/49/EC) [1] defines environmental noise in the following terms: “‘environmental noise’ shall mean unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial activity.” Neighbour noise is that which is created by people going about their lives, both inside and outside their homes. For example, it would include noise from entertainment equipment and domestic appliances as well as general airborne and impact noise from the occupation of a dwelling. Examples of external neighbour noise would be lawnmower noise, barking dogs, noisy parties and DIY activities. Neighbourhood noise includes noise from within the community such as industrial and entertainment premises, trade and business premises, construction sites and noise in the street and might be considered to extend to gatherings, such as those in the outdoor smoking areas of pubs. Occupational noise is that which is experienced in the workplace.
Air, Noise, and Radiation
Published in Gary S. Moore, Kathleen A. Bell, Living with the Earth, 2018
Gary S. Moore, Kathleen A. Bell
Federal agencies that regulate noise include the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), OSHA, Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), and USEPA. Each of these agencies is responsible for the regulation and control of noise to specific operations or segments of society under their direction. OSHA regulations are designed to protect workers from occupational noise induced hearing losses. USEPA is mandated under the Federal Noise Control Act of 1972 and Quiet Communities Act of 1978 to abate noise in the ambient environment and in communities through (1) identifying levels of environmental noise considered protective of human health, (2) identifying major noise sources requiring regulation, and (3) providing financial assistance to state and local governments to investigate noise problems and develop control measures in the communities. Many programs were initiated in the 1970s, but the elimination of federal funding and associated programs in the 1980s all but eliminated state and local noise control programs throughout the country. Many federal regulations under the NSAD 1972 noise abatement were never promulgated and it is unlikely that significant regulatory attention will be paid to issues of noise until there is an increasing public outcry focusing on the increasing noise pollution in our environment.92
Occupational Noise Hazards
Published in Barry Spurlock, Physical Hazards of the Workplace, 2017
As noted above, exposure to excessive occupational noise over a period of time can cause substantial and permanent hearing loss. The OSHA standard specifies that, where the sound level exceeds an eight-hour, time-weighted average (TWA) level of 85 decibels, adherence to the standard is required. If required to do so, most companies address the potential of engineering measures to reduce the noise levels where possible in the work area before addressing the administrative measures identified in the standard. Where engineering controls cannot reduce the noise levels below 85 decibels, companies are responsible for strict adherence to the OSHA standard, including such requirements as audiometric testing, personal protective equipment, training posting, and other requirements as identified in the standard below.
A survey of noise-induced auditory symptoms in manufacturing workers in Brunei Darussalam
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2022
A. Rahman, N. A. A. Tuah, K N. Win, A. S. C. Lai
Occupational noise refers to undesired sound present in the workplace [1], and such exposure can result in auditory and non-auditory health effects, where examples of auditory health effects are tinnitus and occupational hearing loss, while examples of non-auditory health effects include annoyance, sleep disturbance, impaired attention, communication impairment and cardiovascular disease. Undesired noise, especially one-time exposure to impulse noise, such as from gunshots, can lead to hearing loss [2]. Noise-induced auditory symptoms (NIASs) refer to the symptoms that develop after exposure to loud noise in excess of 85 dB, typically at the temporary-threshold shift (TTS) stage when the condition of the ears’ sensory cells in the cochlea becomes fatigued [3]. If not prevented, this can further develop into a permanent and irreversible condition, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Modeling vehicle interior noise exposure dose on freeways: Considering weaving segment designs and engine operation
Published in Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2018
Qing Li, Fengxiang Qiao, Lei Yu, Junqing Shi
Additionally, most noise pollution controls are concerned with specific sources, particularly work places, rather than typical cumulative daily exposure (EPA, 1974). For example, the occupational noise at work places is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to the limits of 85 and 90 dB(A) for 8-hr exposure (OSHA, 1999). Nevertheless, Flamme et al. (2012) reported that a large portion of the general population is daily exposed to the noise level that could lead to chronic adverse effects on hearing, and most of them do not even engage in a noisy job. This implies that we may have been unconsciously exposing to the noise levels that are not conventionally considered as hazard. Moreover, a recent study (Li et al., 2017) found that freeway commuters are chronically exposed to the vehicle interior noise at the level between 75 and 85 dB(A), bearing the risk of hearing impairment. The interior noise functions at the dominant frequencies of 500 Hz below and around 800 Hz, which fall into the frequency bands that may impair hearing, such as inability to hear and understand speech (Park et al., 2003).
An inexpensive sensor for noise
Published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2018
Laura Hallett, Marcus Tatum, Geb Thomas, Sinan Sousan, Kirsten Koehler, Thomas Peters
Traditionally, occupational noise exposure is measured with a dosimeter or a sound level meter (SLM). These instruments can cost up to $2,000 USD. Dosimeters are affixed to the worker's collar and provide a percentage of the full noise dose experienced by the worker. Sound level meters provide information on noise levels within an area and are primarily used for screening purposes to determine where dosimetry should be performed or to designate “high noise” areas. OSHA requires that sound level meters meet the American National Standards Institute Standard S1.4, “Specifications for Sound Level Meters,”[5] in which 3 different types of SLM performances are identified. Type 2 meters are most commonly used in occupational environments and have an accuracy of ±2 dBA, the minimum to comply with the OSHA noise standard.[6]