Showing papers on "Noise pollution published in 2008"

The effects of environmental and classroom noise on the academic attainments of primary school children

Abstract: While at school children are exposed to various types of noise including external, environmental noise and noise generated within the classroom. Previous research has shown that noise has detrimental effects upon children's performance at school, including reduced memory, motivation, and reading ability. In England and Wales, children's academic performance is assessed using standardized tests of literacy, mathematics, and science. A study has been conducted to examine the impact, if any, of chronic exposure to external and internal noise on the test results of children aged 7 and 11 in London (UK) primary schools. External noise was found to have a significant negative impact upon performance, the effect being greater for the older children. The analysis suggested that children are particularly affected by the noise of individual external events. Test scores were also affected by internal classroom noise, background levels being significantly related to test results. Negative relationships between performance and noise levels were maintained when the data were corrected for socio-economic factors relating to social deprivation, language, and special educational needs. Linear regression analysis has been used to estimate the maximum levels of external and internal noise which allow the schools surveyed to achieve required standards of literacy and numeracy.

First experiences using wireless sensor networks for noise pollution monitoring

Abstract: The assessment of environmental pollution levels is a complex and expensive task that public administration and often also private entities are willing or forced to take over. Focusing on the assessment of environmental noise pollution in urban areas, we provide qualitative considerations and experimental results to show the feasibility of wireless sensor networks to be used in this context. We present a prototype for the collection and logging of noise pollution data based on the Tmote invent prototyping platform, using which we performed indoor and outdoor noise pollution measurements. We build upon these first experimental results to depict the potentials and limits of currently available wireless sensor networks prototyping platforms to be used as noise pollution sensors. Furthermore, we present tinyLAB, a Matlab-based tool developed in the context of this work, which enables real-time acquisition, processing and visualization of data collected in wireless sensor networks.

Testing a theory of aircraft noise annoyance: A structural equation analysis

Abstract: Previous research has stressed the relevance of nonacoustical factors in the perception of aircraft noise. However, it is largely empirically driven and lacks a sound theoretical basis. In this paper, a theoretical model which explains noise annoyance based on the psychological stress theory is empirically tested. The model is estimated by applying structural equation modeling based on data from residents living in the vicinity of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in The Netherlands. The model provides a good model fit and indicates that concern about the negative health effects of noise and pollution, perceived disturbance, and perceived control and coping capacity are the most important variables that explain noise annoyance. Furthermore, the model provides evidence for the existence of two reciprocal relationships between (1) perceived disturbance and noise annoyance and (2) perceived control and coping capacity and noise annoyance. Lastly, the model yielded two unexpected results. Firstly, the variables noise sensitivity and fear related to the noise source were unable to explain additional variance in the endogenous variables of the model and were therefore excluded from the model. And secondly, the size of the total effect of noise exposure on noise annoyance was relatively small. The paper concludes with some recommended directions for further research.

Noise in the operating rooms of Greek hospitals.

Abstract: This study is an evaluation of the problem of noise pollution in operating rooms. The high sound pressure level of noise in the operating theatre has a negative impact on communication between operating room personnel. The research took place at nine Greek public hospitals with more than 400 beds. The objective evaluation consisted of sound pressure level measurements in terms of L(eq), as well as peak sound pressure levels in recordings during 43 surgeries in order to identify sources of noise. The subjective evaluation consisted of a questionnaire answered by 684 operating room personnel. The views of operating room personnel were studied using Pearson's X(2) Test and Fisher's Exact Test (SPSS Version 10.00), a t-test comparison was made of mean sound pressure levels, and the relationship of measurement duration and sound pressure level was examined using linear regression analysis (SPSS Version 13.00). The sound pressure levels of noise per operation and the sources of noise varied. The maximum measured level of noise during the main procedure of an operation was measured at L(eq)=71.9 dB(A), L(1)=84.7 dB(A), L(10)=76.2 dB(A), and L(99)=56.7 dB(A). The hospital building, machinery, tools, and people in the operating room were the main noise factors. In order to eliminate excess noise in the operating room it may be necessary to adopt a multidisciplinary approach. An improvement in environment (background noise levels), the implementation of effective standards, and the focusing of the surgical team on noise matters are considered necessary changes.

Data Collection in Wireless Sensor Networks for Noise Pollution Monitoring

Abstract: Focusing on the assessment of environmental noise pollution in urban areas, we provide qualitative considerations and experimental results to show the feasibility of wireless sensor networks to be used in this context. To select the most suitable data collection protocol for the specific noise monitoring application scenario, we evaluated the energy consumption performances of the CTP (Collection Tree Protocol) and DMAC protocols. Our results show that CTP, if used enabling the LPL (Low Power Listening) option, provides the better performances trade-off for noise monitoring applications.

Annoyance and disturbance of daily activities from road traffic noise in Canada

Abstract: This study evaluated road traffic noise annoyance in Canada in relation to activity interference, subject concerns about noise and self-reported distance to a major road. Random digit dialing was employed to survey a representative sample of 2565 Canadians 15years of age and older. Respondents highly annoyed by traffic noise were significantly more likely to perceive annoyance to negatively impact health, live closer to a heavily traveled road and report that traffic noise often interfered with daily activities. Sex, age, education level, community size and province had statistically significant associations with traffic noise annoyance. High noise annoyance consistently correlated with frequent interference of activities. Reducing noise at night (10pm–7am) was more important than during the rest of the day.

Effect of background noise levels on community annoyance from aircraft noise

Abstract: A study of community annoyance caused by exposures to civil aircraft noise was carried out in 20 sites around Gimpo and Gimhae international airports to investigate the effect of background noise in terms of dose-effect relationships between aircraft noise levels and annoyance responses under real conditions Aircraft noise levels were mainly measured using airport noise monitoring systems, B&K type 3597 Social surveys were administered to people living within 100 m of noise measurement sites The question relating to the annoyance of aircraft noise was answered on an 11-point numerical scale The randomly selected respondents, who were aged between 18 and 70 years, completed the questionnaire independently In total, 753 respondents participated in social surveys The result shows that annoyance responses in low background noise regions are much higher than those in high background noise regions, even though aircraft noise levels are the same It can be concluded that the background noise level is one of the important factors on the estimation of community annoyance from aircraft noise exposure

Analysing and mapping spatial and temporal dynamics of urban traffic noise pollution: a case study in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

Abstract: This study aimed at quantifying noise pollution from urban traffic in the city of Kahramanmaras, Turkey. A total of 114 measurements for the equivalent noise level (LAeq) were made at 38 urban locations classified as “residential areas”, “residential and commercial areas” and “industrial areas” according to the national regulations, during morning, mid-day and evening hours. Our findings tabulated and mapped revealed that mean noise level in “residential and commercial areas” was highest relative to the other land-use types. Minimum and maximum values of noise pollution were recorded during the mid-day and evening hours, regardless of the land-use types. Noise limit values were exceeded at two locations only out of 38 based on the national regulation criteria and at over half of the locations based on the international criteria.

Annoyance responses to stable and changing aircraft noise exposure

Abstract: This article reports the two extensive aircraft noise annoyance surveys subsequently carried out among residents in the vicinity of Zurich Airport in 2001 and 2003 in order to update and validate existing exposure-effect relationships for aircraft noise and annoyance in Switzerland. Logistic and polynomial approximations of the exposure-annoyance relationships for both the years 2001 and 2003 are presented for the Ldn, Lden, and LA,eq24 noise metrics. The results confirm other recently published international research and provide further evidence that community annoyance due to aircraft noise has increased over the past decades. Between the two survey years, a considerable amount of early morning and late evening flight operations have been relocated to use an other runway than before; thus both the effects of a recent step decrease and recent step increase on the exposure-annoyance relationship could be investigated. Residents that experienced a step increase elicited a quite pronounced over-reaction of annoyance which correlated with the magnitude of the change. Two logistic regression models are provided to forecast the effects of changes in exposure during shoulder hours in the early morning and the late evening.

Annoyance due to single and combined sound exposure from railway and road traffic

Abstract: Environmental noise is a growing and well recognized health problem. However, in many cases people are exposed not to a single noise source - for example, road, railway, or aircraft noise - but to a combination of noise exposures and there is only limited knowledge of the effects on health of exposure to combined noise sources. A socio-acoustic survey among 1953 persons aged 18-75 years was conducted in residential areas exposed to railway and road traffic noise with sound levels ranging from LAeq,24h 45-72 dB in a municipality east of Gothenburg, Sweden. The objectives were to assess various adverse health effects, including annoyance, and to elucidate the impact of exposure to single and combined noise sources. In areas exposed to both railway and road traffic, the proportion annoyed by the total traffic sound environment (total annoyance) was significantly higher than in areas with one dominant noise source rail or road traffic with the same total sound exposure (LAeq,24h,tot). This interaction effect ...

Self-reported sleep disturbances due to railway noise : Exposure-response relationships for nighttime equivalent and maximum noise levels

Abstract: The objective of the present survey was to study self-reported sleep disturbances due to railway noise with respect to nighttime equivalent noise level (Lp,A,eq,night) and maximum noise level (Lp,A,max). A sample of 1349 people in and around Oslo in Norway exposed to railway noise was studied in a cross-sectional survey to obtain data on sleep disturbances, sleep problems due to noise, and personal characteristics including noise sensitivity. Individual noise exposure levels were determined outside of the bedroom facade, the most-exposed facade, and inside the respondents’ bedrooms. The exposure-response relationships were analyzed by using logistic regression models, controlling for possible modifying factors including the number of noise events (train pass-by frequency). Lp,A,eq,night and Lp,A,max were significantly correlated, and the proportion of reported noise-induced sleep problems increased as both Lp,A,eq,night and Lp,A,max increased. Noise sensitivity, type of bedroom window, and pass-by frequen...

Implications of Human Performance and Perception under Tonal Noise Conditions on Indoor Noise Criteria

Abstract: This research investigated differences in task performance and perception under six non-time-varying ventilation-type background noise spectra with differing tonality. The results were related to five indoor noise criteria systems: noise criteria, balanced noise criteria, room criteria, room criteria mark II, and the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq). These criteria systems are commonly used in the U.S. building industry, but concerns exist over whether they are appropriate for all noise situations. Thirty test subjects completed three types of performance tasks (typing, reasoning, and math) and answered questions about their perception of the indoor environment under each noise condition. Results showed that performance scores did not change significantly across the six noise conditions, but there were differences in subjective perception. For example, perception trends for tonality, annoyance, and distraction changed based on the frequency and prominence of discrete tones in noise. Howev...

Exposure to noise in orthopaedic theatres--do we need protection?

Abstract: Summary Aim: To detect noise levels, generated by high-powered tools in orthopaedic theatres at varying distances from the operating site, and its impact on hearing in staff and patients. Methods: Sound-level meter was used to measure the sound level generated by various high-powered tools in routine orthopaedic procedures, at varying distances from the operating site. These recorded noise levels were compared against the UK noise safety guidelines. Result: We found that the noise generated was often significantly higher than the safety guidelines. Conclusion: Noise levels in orthopaedic theatres can be at unacceptable levels, which could potentially lead to hearing problems in the staff and patients. We believe that all patients, especially the elderly patients, (who are more prone to hearing problems) should have hearing protection during orthopaedic operations that use high-powered tools. Surgeons and scrubbed theatre staff should take precautions.

A Proposal for Evaluating the Potential Health effects of Wind Turbine Noise for Projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

Abstract: The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) requires certain projects with federal government triggers to undergo an environmental assessment before receiving federal government approval. On request under CEAA, Health Canada provides advice on the health effects of noise to responsible authorities for wind turbine projects. The advice that Health Canada provides on the health effects of noise is generally based only on well-accepted scientific evidence for a link between noise exposure and health. For quiet rural areas, in which annoyance reactions towards intruding noise may be augmented, this paper proposes noise mitigation if predicted wind turbine noise levels exceed 45 dBA at noise sensitive receptors. In this proposal, a cautious approach is adopted by using predicted noise levels that are evaluated at the wind speed that produces the highest wind turbine noise, and background noise is evaluated in calm winds. This accounts for sheltering by obstructions. Wind speed gradient effects related to ...

The Effects of Noise Pollution and Hearing of Metal Workers in Arak

Abstract: Background: Noise exposure and subsequent hearing loss are important problems in metal industry. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and other risk factors associated with industrial noise exposure among metal workers in a metal factory in Arak. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 743 metal workers who were exposed to noise were involved. The environment noise was measured using both sound level meter according to standards presented by national association of occupational health of Iran and ACGIH and ANSI. Audiometry was used to assess the hearing loss in each worker according to ISO-85 standard. Results: Of 1191 station points that sound pressure level was measured there, 224 points (18%) were above the permissible level of 85 dB. In 967 points (82%), sound pressure level was in precaution range (65

An expert system for predicting the effects of speech interference due to noise pollution on humans using fuzzy approach

Abstract: In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop an expert system using fuzzy approach to investigate the effects of noise pollution on speech interference. The speech interference measured in terms of speech intelligibility is considered to be a function of noise level, distance between speaker and listener, and the age of the listener. The main source of model development is the reports of World Health Organization (WHO) and field surveys conducted by various researchers. It is implemented on Fuzzy Logic Toolbox of MATLAB using both Mamdani and Sugeno techniques. The results are found to be in good agreement with the findings of World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study reveals that for good communication at normal distances ('short' and 'medium') encountered in ambient environment, the noise level should not exceed 65dB(A) for 'young' and 'middle aged', and 55dB(A) for 'old' persons.

Noise levels in Greek hospitals

Abstract: High noise levels have been recognized as a serious problem in hospital environments during both night- and daytime, and have been associated with a negative impact on patients' health status. The aim of this study was to measure and detect differences in noise levels between an ICU and a pulmonary ward in two general hospitals in Greece. Methods: Noise measurements were recorded in one-hour intervals using the Cirrus CR: 245/R2 Environmental Noise Analyzer in a 30-bed pulmonary ward and in a 16-bed general ICU for seven consecutive days. Results: Noise levels detected in the ward were significantly lower than those detected in the ICU (52.6 ± 8.2 dB vs 59 ± 2.2 dB, P < 0.001). Noise levels decreased significantly during the course of the day in the ward, reaching the lowest limits during the night shift. This was not observed in the ICU and this pattern was constant during the periods monitored in both departments. Conclusion: Noise levels measured in the ward and in the ICU were high, significantly exceeding the highest permitted values for hospitals. The latter was more obviously recorded in the ICU.

Assessing traffic noise impact based on probabilistic and fuzzy approaches under uncertainty

Abstract: Traffic noise can cause severe sound pollution for human communities. This paper proposes a hybrid approach to assess traffic noise impact under uncertainty. There are many factors influencing traffic noise level, but only three traffic parameters, namely, traffic flow, traffic speed and traffic component, are highly uncertain. These uncertain parameters are represented by probability distributions, and Monte Carlo simulations are performed to generate a noise distribution after considering about other certain influencing factors. Fuzzy set and binary fuzzy relations as well as probability analysis method are applied to identify the predicted traffic noise impacts in qualitatively and quantitatively. The applicability of this proposed technique is demonstrated using a case study.

Variations of road traffic noise in residential areas.

Abstract: The ability to predict road noise in urban area is important. The community noise equivalent level (Lden) varies from day to day (weekdays, weekends, holidays, etc.). There is a need to compromise between the accuracy in the determination of Lden and limited resources of input data, the measuring equipment, and time. The problem can be managed using the method proposed in this study. It requires only one short-term measurement of the time-average sound level, LAeq,T.

How big a problem is noise pollution? A brief happiness analysis by a perturbable economist

Abstract: This paper approaches the question of the costs of everyday residential noise pollution by examining a series of ‘happiness regressions.’ We control for the possibility that an unobservable characteristic (which we denote ‘complainer type’) may lead people both to complain more and cause them to declare themselves to be less happy. We further control for the possibility that a standard estimate of the marginal utility of income may suffer from endogeneity and will be under-estimated if ‘effort’ is not adequately taken into account. We find perceived noise pollution to exert a negative and highly significant effect on happiness. We then calculate the required income transfer to compensate for the noise and find the costs of noise pollution to be on the order of €106 per month per household.

Investigating urban traffic based noise pollution in the city of Kirikkale, Turkey

Abstract: The study presents an investigation into traffic based noise pollution in the city of Kirikkale, Turkey. For this purpose, traffic noise levels were measured at 15 intersections across the city during three peak times ‐ morning (08:00–09:00), noon (12:30–13:30) and evening (17:00–18:00) hours. The comparison of Leq values against the limit values of the Turkish Noise and Control Regulations for Settlement Zones showed that Leq values exceeded the limits at all stations. A linear regression analysis performed between the Leq and logarithm of total traffic volume (log Q) produced a coefficient of determination of 0.52. A multi regression analysis carried out between the Leq and four different vehicle types resulted in a correlation coefficient of 0.74. The correlation matrix indicated that the highest correlation was found for trucks/buses with r = 0.92. The spatial maps of traffic noise created by the Kriging method under ArcView GIS displayed that there seemed to be significant differences in the...