Showing papers on "Annoyance published in 1994"

Community annoyance and sleep disturbance: updated criteria for assessing the impacts of general transportation noise on people

Abstract: The question of prediction of sleep disturbance and annoyance due to transportation noise has been addressed. Two sets of previously published data have been reanalyzed. This project was initiated as part of a long-term U.S. Air Force research program on the effects of aircraft noise on humans. It is concluded that day-night average sound level is still the most adequate noise descriptor for use in environmental impact analyses to assess the annoyance and overall impact of noise from general transportation, including civilian and military aircraft operations. A new logistic curve adopted in 1992 for general use by U.S. federal agencies, is recommended for use in environmental impact statements as the nominal relationship between day-night average sound level and the percentage of a general residential population predicted to be highly annoyed by the noise. A power curve, using A-weighted sound exposure level, is recommended for predicting nighttime sleep disturbance from general transportation noise.

Noise exposure, noise annoyance, use of hearing protection devices and distress among blue-collar workers

Abstract: OBJECTIVES--This study tested the hypotheses that, in high noise levels [> or = 85 dB(A)], hearing protection devices are used largely by workers sensitive to noise, as reflected by reports of noise annoyance, and that the usage would reduce distress symptoms. METHODS--Data collected from 1587 healthy male blue-collar workers included noise exposure level, noise annoyance, use of hearing protection devices, distress symptoms (somatic complaints and poststress irritability), and possible confounding by age, education and ethnic origin. RESULTS--Multiple logistic regression results indicated that the use of hearing protection devices was related to noise exposure level [odds ratio (OR) 2.94, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.58--3.30], but more so to high noise annoyance (OR 3.03, 95% CI 2.77--3.29), even after control for age, education, and ethnic origin. No interaction was found between noise level and noise annoyance. These findings highlight the contribution of noise annoyance to the use of hearing protection devices. Of the 42.6% of workers using hearing protection devices in the presence of high ambient noise, 60% were highly annoyed. Noise-annoyed workers also tended to wear hearing protection devices even in low noise levels. The use of hearing protection devices was associated with lower distress symptoms among the low and moderately annoyed workers, but among the highly annoyed workers the reverse was true. CONCLUSIONS--Thus, for the highly annoyed workers, the use of hearing protection devices was perhaps an additional source of stress. One immediate implication of this study is that future intervention procedures should focus on unannoyed workers who tend to use hearing protection devices less.

Industrial odorants - the relationship between modeled exposure concentrations and annoyance

Abstract: In a series of epidemiologic studies, the relationship between objective exposure to odorant concentrations emitted by several industrial plants was investigated, as was the relationship between odor annoyance and subjective health complaints. Exposure was determined with a dispersion model of odorants, in which meteorological data and industrial emissions were used as input. Long-term averaged exposure was related to odor annoyance measured with a questionnaire. In addition, the influence of several other factors (demographic variables and variables emanating from the coping theory) on odor annoyance was studied. Among others, it appears that the dispersion model performs moderately well in predicting annoyance (correlations between odorant concentrations and odor annoyance were about 0.35). The extent to which people regard malodor as a threat to their health is a relatively strong predictor of annoyance. Moreover, the effects of long-term low exposure are similar to the effects of temporary hi...

The Impact of the Amsterdam Aircraft Disaster on Reported Annoyance by Aircraft Noise and on Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract: BACKGROUND: On 4 October 1992 a plane crashed on the south-eastern (SE) borough of Amsterdam. This study examines the effects of this disaster on the reported annoyance caused by aircraft noise and on psychiatric disorders measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), in an ongoing Health Interview Survey (HIS). METHODS: In the HIS 5092 people were interviewed; 1006 before the accident and 305 in the SE borough. Odds ratios (OR) were computed comparing the period before the disaster with the 8 months thereafter. RESULTS: After aircraft crossings restarted (weeks 3-10 after the disaster) 60.0% of the respondents in the disaster borough reported annoyance, compared to 36.8% before the event (crude OR = 2.57, 95% confidence interval (Cl); 2.63-3.04). In the three subsequent 2-month periods these OR for the SE borough steadily decreased. No significant change was found either for the rest of Amsterdam or for the GHQ measure. Logistic regression modelling showed the increase to be highest immediately after the aircraft crossings restarted. (OR = 7.50, 95% Cl: 2.40-23.4). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that fear is related to a heightened sensitivity to noise, but indicate that this does not lead to widespread psychiatric disorders. The results further indicate that this HIS was sufficiently sensitive to show changes in annoyance caused by aircraft noise after such a severe incident. Language: en

Annoyance perception of sound and information extraction.

Abstract: The judgment of annoyance of distorted speech differs radically for different language groups. The results show that those who do comprehend a spoken language, base their annoyance judgments on the informational content extracted while those who do not base it on the perceptual characteristics of meaningless sound (particularly loudness). A series of distorted German speech sounds were presented to two subject groups consisting of native Swedish and English speakers, and the results were compared with earlier results from groups of native German and Polish subjects. The 50 stimuli were generated from the very same speech signal distorted in two principle ways, either with repeated silent gaps or superimposed noise impulses. The perceived annoyance of the distorted speech was judged both by category scaling for all subject groups, and as a control for ‘‘ceiling’’ effects, also by magnitude estimation for the Swedish and the English subjects. There is a pronounced tendency for German subjects to judge the G...

The problem with neighbors

Abstract: Using data from a random telephone survey, this paper explores the nature of annoyances between neighbors. Neighbor annoyances were both pervasive (90% of the respondents reported that they experienced at least one annoyance in the last 3 years) and varied (averaging 2.5 different types per respondent). The estimated percentage of life stress attributable to neighbor annoyances was only 8.5%. However, for a small minority (6%), annoyance with neighbors consumed a considerable amount of their energy and, in some cases, led to forced moves and threats of violence. Implications of these findings for community mediation are discussed.

Low-frequency components in complex noise and their perceived loudness and annoyance

Abstract: Olika ljudtrycksbaserade prediktorers (A-, B-, C- & D-filtret) och kalkyleringsmetoders (ISO 532 B & MARK VII) formaga att predicera ljudstyrka och storningsgrad hos bredbandigt vitt brus p ...

Odour Annoyance in Industrial Zones of the River Seine Estuary

Abstract: Publisher Summary Industrial activities along the River Seine estuary, between Petitville and Le Havre, are potential sources of odorous pollution. Therefore, an investigation was undertaken of emitted odors likely to cause annoyance to living populations. Fifteen municipalities were involved in the investigation, in which odor annoyance experienced by living populations was assessed, and the environment was characterized by olfactometry. The population sample constituting the panel consisted of local volunteers, grouped by geographical sector, depending on their place of residence. Volunteers were asked to leave their homes at set times on given days to assess air quality, and to complete a questionnaire on a response card. Volunteers were free to make additional comments on the back of the card. The responses were used to calculate an odor annoyance index for a given sector, at set times on given days. The investigation lasted one year, with two weekly assessments, to cover different meteorological conditions and industrial operations. Compared with a survey of complaints or on-the-spot questioning, this approach has several advantages—the participants all work with a precise response scale to indicate the degree of annoyance experienced, and the annoyance recorded is based only on the participant's immediate experience and does not involve recall of past incidents of questionable objectivity.

Homeowner judgments of the annoyance of individual heavy weapons blasts

Abstract: Past studies of the annoyance of heavy weapons noise have shown the relationship between the yearly average exposure and average annoyance as reported by residents. However, no one has reported the relationship between individual weapons blasts and the annoyance reported by homeowners who were experiencing these events inside their own home. As part of a noise and vibration measurement study undertaken in response to community complaints, four homeowners made judgments of the annoyance of heavy weapons noise. When these judgments were plotted against the outdoor measured linear peak SPL, ‘‘moderate annoyance’’ was found to begin just above 115 dB. This finding is consistent with a report by L. L. Pater in 1976 that there was a low probability of complaints from residents living in the vicinity of the Naval Surface Weapons Center, Dahlgren, VA, if weapons blasts were below 115‐dB peak at the complainant’s home.

Note on the Relationship between Loudness and Annoyance

Abstract: Contradictory results are often encountered when different groups are asked to rate loudness using the method of magnitude estimation, especially when scaling complex auditory stimuli. This can be explained by subjects' inability to separate perceived loudness accurately from perceived annoyance. In addition, subjects are not uniformly influenced by these two perceptual attributes; the individual's preference for or against the stimulus in question also affects the scaling behavior.

F3 freeway - wahroonga to berowra: lessons learnt about the relationship between measured noise and community annoyance

Abstract: The F3 Freeway (Wahroonga to Berowra section), also known as the Hornsby Bypass, was opened in March 1989. Prior to its opening, the RTA determined to undertake a before-after monitoring program of traffic noise levels and community reaction to the changed traffic noise conditions known as a 'longitudinal' study. This paper summarises the outcome of over 1600 surveys in residences and workplaces as well as student questionnaire surveys in primary and secondary schools along the F3 and on the Pacific Highway and sub- arterial and collector routes from which traffic was expected to be displaced. Opinion surveys and traffic noise measurements were undertaken. The relationship between measured noise and the level of community annoyance and dissatisfaction with traffic noise was statistically tested to test for any dose-response significance. This was the first systematic before-after study undertaken in relation to traffic noise change in Australia and a number of lessons have been learnt about community response to traffic noise and disruption to activities in the home, workplace and in schools. Many findings support case studies from other countries. (a) For the covering abstract of this conference see IRRD abstract no. 861222.

Annoyance of individual vehicle pass‐by noise for light and heavy vehicles

Abstract: A laboratory experiment has been conducted to assess the noise annoyance of individual vehicle pass‐bys as a function of sound level. Vehicle type varied from passenger cars to heavy tanks. Results showed that for each individual vehicle type, the A‐weighted sound exposure level (SEL) was the most important predictor of the annoyance. However, at a given annoyance, the difference in level between different vehicle types could be as high as 11 dBA SEL. The difference in level between the high‐frequency part and the low‐frequency part of the spectrum seemed to play a role in the annoyance, in that sounds containing relatively much high‐frequency energy (e.g., passenger cars) were judged as being more annoying than those having relatively much low‐frequency energy (such as tanks). [Work supported by the Ministry of Defence.]

Effect of silent periods having short or long durations on the annoyance of vehicle sounds

Abstract: Two laboratory experiments were performed to study the effect on annoyance of noise concentration in time. The first (rating‐scale) experiment dealt with the influence on annoyance of short‐time silent periods (varying from 0 to 160 s) in pass‐by vehicle noise of 240‐s total duration. Results showed that, at a fixed equivalent sound level, and with the number of vehicles kept constant, annoyance hardly depended on the duration and position in time of the silent period. In the second experiment subjects had to compare the annoyance of road traffic sounds with that of sounds from heavy vehicles (such as tanks). In deciding which fragment was more annoying, the subjects had to imagine that they were exposed to the road traffic sounds throughout the year, whereas the sounds of heavy vehicles were only audible during a certain part of the day, week, or year. Results indicate that, at a given equivalent sound level, concentration of the sounds in time reduces annoyance. [Work supported by the Ministry of Defence.]

Effects of Fluctuating Odor on Odor Intensity and Annoyance

Abstract: The influence of fluctuation of an odor as a pollutant on the perception is not clear, since there has been little research on the effect of fluctuating odors on humans. Hence, the present study was undertaken to clarify the effect of the time-pattern of fluctuating odors on overall perceived intensity and feelings of annoyance.

Factors related to the degree of annoyance in school children caused by Shinkansen noise

Abstract: As part of a longitudinal study dealing with the effects of the noise from the Tohoku Shinkansen on the living environment of school children, social surveys were conducted on children in an elementary school near the Tohoku Shinkansen line in Saitama prefecture, by means of a questionnaire from July 1984 through February 1986. Between October and November in 1986, noise levels were also measured adjacent to the houses of subjects who lived within one hundred meters of the railroad track. The present paper is devoted to the examination by multiple regression analysis of factors related to the degree of annoyance at home resulting from the Tohoku Shinkansen noise expressed by subjects. The main results were as follows: 1. Multiple correlation coefficients between the degree of annoyance of the Tohoku Shinkansen noise at home and noise levels were less than 0.3. 2. When annoyance at school from the noise and the self-rated quality of sleep were incorporated in multiple correlations, the values of multiple correlation coefficients exceeded 0.5. These results suggest that so far as individual responses are considered, non-physical factors such as sensitivity to noise and quality of sleep account for a considerable part of the total variance of individual responses.

Deriving a dosage-response relationship for community response to high-energy impulsive noise

Abstract: The inability to systematically predict community response to exposure to sonic booms (and other high energy impulsive sounds) is a major impediment to credible analyses of the environmental effects of supersonic flight operations. Efforts to assess community response to high energy impulsive sounds are limited in at least two important ways. First, a paucity of appropriate empirical data makes it difficult to infer a dosage-response relationship by means similar to those used in the case of general transportation noise. Second, it is unclear how well the 'equal energy hypothesis' (the notion that duration, number, and level of individual events are directly interchangeable determinants of annoyance) applies to some forms of impulsive noise exposure. Some of the issues currently under consideration by a CHABA working group addressing these problems are discussed. These include means for applying information gained in controlled exposure studies about different rates of growth of annoyance with impulsive and non-impulsive sound exposure levels, and strategies for developing a dosage-response relationship in a data-poor area.

Comparison of methods of predicting community response to impulsive and nonimpulsive noise

Abstract: Several scientific, regulatory, and policy-coordinating bodies have developed methods for predicting community response to sonic booms. The best known of these is the dosage-response relationship of Working Group 84 of the National Academy of Science's Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics and Biomechanics. This dosage-response relationship between C-weighted DayNight Average Sound Level and the prevalence of annoyance with high energy impulsive sounds was derived from limited amounts of information about community response to regular, prolonged, and expected exposure to artillery and sonic booms. U.S. Army Regulation 201 adapts this approach to predictions of the acceptability of impulsive noise exposure in communities. This regulation infers equivalent degrees of effect with respect to a well known dosage-response relationship for general (nonimpulsive) transportation noise. Differences in prevalence of annoyance predicted by various relationships lead to different predictions of the compatibility of land uses with sonic boom exposure. An examination of these differences makes apparent several unresolved issues in current practice for predicting and interpreting the prevalence of annoyance due to sonic boom exposure.