Effects of Low Frequency Noise and Vibrations: Environmental and Occupational Perspectives
01 Jan 2011-pp 240-253
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a current knowledge base of adverse effects due to community and occupational low frequency noise (20-200 Hz) in occupational environments, and the risks for adverse effects are of particular concern because of its general presence due to numerous sources, an efficient propagation of the noise from the source and poor attenuation efficiency of building structures.
Abstract: This article provides a current knowledge base of adverse effects due to community and occupational low frequency noise (20–200 Hz). Low frequency noise has a large annoyance potential, and the prevalence of annoyance increases with higher sound pressure levels (SPLs) of low frequencies. Low frequency noise annoyance is related to headaches, unusual tiredness, lack of concentration, irritation, and pressure on the eardrum. Data suggest that sleep may be negatively affected. In occupational environments, low frequency noise may negatively affect performance at moderate noise levels, whereas the health consequences of higher SPLs are less well known. Factors inherent in most low frequency noise such as the throbbing characteristics, the intrusion of low frequencies felt when other frequencies in the sound are attenuated, and the vibration sensations sometimes felt contribute to the response. Measurements need to properly assess the individual exposure and include spectral, temporal, and if present also vibration characteristics. The risks for adverse effects are of particular concern because of its general presence due to numerous sources, an efficient propagation of the noise from the source, and poor attenuation efficiency of building structures. Compared to other noise sources, data on low frequency noise are limited, and further studies are clearly needed.
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TL;DR: It is demonstrated that noise is a prevalent and often underestimated threat for both auditory and nonauditory health and that strategies for the prevention of noise and its associated negative health consequences are needed to promote public health.
Abstract: The mandate of the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN) is to promote a high level of scientific research concerning all aspects of noise-induced effects on human beings and animals. In this review, ICBEN team chairs and co-chairs summarize relevant findings, publications, developments, and policies related to the biological effects of noise, with a focus on the period 2011-2014 and for the following topics: Noise-induced hearing loss; nonauditory effects of noise; effects of noise on performance and behavior; effects of noise on sleep; community response to noise; and interactions with other agents and contextual factors. Occupational settings and transport have been identified as the most prominent sources of noise that affect health. These reviews demonstrate that noise is a prevalent and often underestimated threat for both auditory and nonauditory health and that strategies for the prevention of noise and its associated negative health consequences are needed to promote public health.
97 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical review of occupant comfort in multi-unit residential buildings in relation to environmental and non-environmental variables that could have a potential impact on occupant comfort is presented.
96 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a general procedure for obtaining various characteristics of concrete bridge-borne low-frequency noise by bridging the gap between time-domain bridge vibration computation and frequency-domain noise simulation is presented.
68 citations
Cites background from "Effects of Low Frequency Noise and ..."
...However, recent investigations have revealed that low-frequency noise of low to moderate intensity can have adverse effects on human concentration and response times and speech intelligibility [6,7]....
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TL;DR: A two-and-a-half dimensional (2.5D) BEM-based procedure for simulating bridge-borne low-frequency noise with higher efficiency, yet no loss of accuracy is presented.
Abstract: Predicting structure-borne noise from bridges subjected to moving trains using the three-dimensional (3D) boundary element method (BEM) is a time consuming process. This paper presents a two-and-a-half dimensional (2.5D) BEM-based procedure for simulating bridge-borne low-frequency noise with higher efficiency, yet no loss of accuracy. The two-dimensional (2D) BEM of a bridge with a constant cross section along the track direction is adopted to calculate the spatial modal acoustic transfer vectors (MATVs) of the bridge using the space-wave number transforms of its 3D modal shapes. The MATVs calculated using the 2.5D method are then validated by those computed using the 3D BEM. The bridge-borne noise is finally obtained through the MATVs and modal coordinate responses of the bridge, considering time-varying vehicle-track-bridge dynamic interaction. The presented procedure is applied to predict the sound pressure radiating from a U-shaped concrete bridge, and the computed results are compared with those obtained from field tests on Shanghai rail transit line 8. The numerical results match well with the measured results in both time and frequency domains at near-field points. Nevertheless, the computed results are smaller than the measured ones for far-field points, mainly due to the sound radiation from adjacent spans neglected in the current model.
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the sound absorption characteristics of series and parallel arrangements of both MPP and multiple HRINs using electro-acoustic analogy and the results are compared with full field finite element simulations.
20 citations
References
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TL;DR: Evidence suggests that a number of adverse effects of noise in general arise from exposure to low-frequency noise: Loudness judgments and annoyance reactions are sometimes reported to be greater for low- frequency noise than other noises for equal sound-pressure level.
Abstract: The sources of human exposure to low-frequency noise and its effects are reviewed. Low-frequency noise is common as background noise in urban environments, and as an emission from many artificial sources: road vehicles, aircraft, industrial machinery, artillery and mining explosions, and air movement machinery including wind turbines, compressors, and ventilation or air-conditioning units. The effects of low-frequency noise are of particular concern because of its pervasiveness due to numerous sources, efficient propagation, and reduced efficacy of many structures (dwellings, walls, and hearing protection) in attenuating low-frequency noise compared with other noise. Intense low-frequency noise appears to produce clear symptoms including respiratory impairment and aural pain. Although the effects of lower intensities of low-frequency noise are difficult to establish for methodological reasons, evidence suggests that a number of adverse effects of noise in general arise from exposure to low-frequency noise: Loudness judgments and annoyance reactions are sometimes reported to be greater for low-frequency noise than other noises for equal sound-pressure level; annoyance is exacerbated by rattle or vibration induced by low-frequency noise; speech intelligibility may be reduced more by low-frequency noise than other noises except those in the frequency range of speech itself, because of the upward spread of masking. On the other hand, it is also possible that low-frequency noise provides some protection against the effects of simultaneous higher frequency noise on hearing. Research needs and policy decisions, based on what is currently known, are considered.
410 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Conventional methods of assessing annoyance, typically based on A-weighted equivalent level, are inadequate for low frequency noise and lead to incorrect decisions by regulatory authorities, but do not deal adequately with fluctuations.
Abstract: Low frequency noise, the frequency range from about 10 Hz to 200 Hz, has been recognised as a special environmental noise problem, particularly to sensitive people in their homes. Conventional methods of assessing annoyance, typically based on A-weighted equivalent level, are inadequate for low frequency noise and lead to incorrect decisions by regulatory authorities. There have been a large number of laboratory measurements of annoyance by low frequency noise, each with different spectra and levels, making comparisons difficult, but the main conclusions are that annoyance of low frequencies increases rapidly with level. Additionally the A-weighted level underestimates the effects of low frequency noises. There is a possibility of learned aversion to low frequency noise, leading to annoyance and stress which may receive unsympathetic treatment from regulatory authorities. In particular, problems of the Hum often remain unresolved. An approximate estimate is that about 2.5% of the population may have a low frequency threshold which is at least 12 dB more sensitive than the average threshold, corresponding to nearly 1,000,000 persons in the 50-59 year old age group in the EU-15 countries. This is the group which generates many complaints. Low frequency noise specific criteria have been introduced in some countries, but do not deal adequately with fluctuations. Validation of the criteria has been for a limited range of noises and subjects.
186 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The human perception of sound at frequencies below 200 Hz is reviewed and some investigations give evidence of persons with an extraordinary sensitivity in the low and infrasonic frequency range, but further research is needed in order to confirm and explain this phenomenon.
Abstract: The human perception of sound at frequencies below 200 Hz is reviewed. Knowledge about our perception of this frequency range is important, since much of the sound we are exposed to in our everyday environment contains significant energy in this range. Sound at 20-200 Hz is called low-frequency sound, while for sound below 20 Hz the term infrasound is used. The hearing becomes gradually less sensitive for decreasing frequency, but despite the general understanding that infrasound is inaudible, humans can perceive infrasound, if the level is sufficiently high. The ear is the primary organ for sensing infrasound, but at levels somewhat above the hearing threshold it is possible to feel vibrations in various parts of the body. The threshold of hearing is standardized for frequencies down to 20 Hz, but there is a reasonably good agreement between investigations below this frequency. It is not only the sensitivity but also the perceived character of a sound that changes with decreasing frequency. Pure tones become gradually less continuous, the tonal sensation ceases around 20 Hz, and below 10 Hz it is possible to perceive the single cycles of the sound. A sensation of pressure at the eardrums also occurs. The dynamic range of the auditory system decreases with decreasing frequency. This compression can be seen in the equal-loudness-level contours, and it implies that a slight increase in level can change the perceived loudness from barely audible to loud. Combined with the natural spread in thresholds, it may have the effect that a sound, which is inaudible to some people, may be loud to others. Some investigations give evidence of persons with an extraordinary sensitivity in the low and infrasonic frequency range, but further research is needed in order to confirm and explain this phenomenon.
143 citations
TL;DR: VAD is increasingly being diagnosed among members of the general population, including children, and when echocardiography, brain MRI or histological studies are performed, all consistently show significant changes in VAD patients and ILFN-exposed animals.
Abstract: At present, infrasound (0-20 Hz) and low-frequency noise (20-500 Hz) (ILFN, 0-500 Hz) are agents of disease that go unchecked. Vibroacoustic disease (VAD) is a whole-body pathology that develops in individuals excessively exposed to ILFN. VAD has been diagnosed within several professional groups employed within the aeronautical industry, and in other heavy industries. However, given the ubiquitous nature of ILFN and the absence of legislation concerning ILFN, VAD is increasingly being diagnosed among members of the general population, including children. VAD is associated with the abnormal growth of extra-cellular matrices (collagen and elastin), in the absence of an inflammatory process. In VAD, the end-product of collagen and elastin growth is reinforcement of structural integrity. This is seen in blood vessels, cardiac structures, trachea, lung, and kidney of both VAD patients and ILFN-exposed animals. VAD is, essentially, a mechanotransduction disease. Inter- and intra-cellular communication is achieved through both biochemical and mechanotranduction signalling. When the structural components of tissue are altered, as is seen in ILFN-exposed specimens, the mechanically mediated signalling is, at best, impaired. Common medical diagnostic tests, such as EKG, EEG, as well as many blood chemistry analyses, are based on the mal-function of biochemical signalling processes. VAD patients typically present normal values for these tests. However, when echocardiography, brain MRI or histological studies are performed, where structural changes can be identified, all consistently show significant changes in VAD patients and ILFN-exposed animals. Frequency-specific effects are not yet known, valid dose-responses have been difficult to identify, and large-scale epidemiological studies are still lacking.
104 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that a reduction in wakefulness that is attributable to infrasound occurs at pressure levels close to the auditory threshold, based on cochlear stimulation.
Abstract: The present paper is a description of some laboratory experiments carried out in order to investigate the perception and changes in wakefulness occurring during exposure to infrasound.Perception of infrasound is based on hearing and vibrations in different parts of the body. Threshold of audibility was found to be approximately 110 dB(lin) at 4 Hz and 90 dB(lin) at 20 Hz. Sensations through vibrations were found to occur at about 20 dB above the hearing threshold levels. As far as vibrotactile sensation is concerned no difference was found to exist between deaf and hearing subjects. Hearing sensations could not be registered for neurosensory deafness. 10 deaf and 10 hearing subjects were exposed for 20 minutes at 6 Hz, 115 dB(lin). Reduced wakefulness was noticed among the hearing subjects but not among the deaf subjects.According to these results, changes in wakefulness of infrasound is based on cochlear stimulation. It is suggested that a reduction in wakefulness that is attributable to infrasound occur...
63 citations