Monitoring and assessment of daily exposure of roadside workers to traffic noise levels in an Asian city: a case study of Bangkok streets

Four noise monitoring sites were strategically established to evaluate average noise level and audiometric assessment at various traffic zones of Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). During the monitoring period, noise levels were found to be 72.8–83.0 dBA during day time and 59.5–74.5 dBA during night time. The finding also indicated that traffic noise levels depend on distance from roadside, diurnal variation and character of the traffic and street configuration. Audiometric measurement of 4000 persons was carried by four major hospitals in Bangkok to study the relationship between traffic noise exposure of groups of people working in the streets and hearing loss. Four different categories of occupational people, i.e., drivers, street vendors, traffic officers and dwellers were selected and were further classified into age groups (16–25, 26–35, 36–45 and 46–55 years old) to monitor the traffic noise induced hearing loss throughout their everyday lives. The control group was deliberately chosen to screen out the effects of traffic noise. According to the audiometric investigation, it was revealed that hearing capacity of the daily noise exposure groups living in the three urban sites (Yaowarat Road, Din Daeng Road and Ratchaprarop Road) were noticeably poorer than those who were living in suburban site (Phahonyothin Road). It was noted that the mean hearing threshold level (HTL) of the 16–25 years old groups were found to have better hearing capacity than those older adults of 46–55 years old. In particular the mean HTL dropped at the frequency of 4000 Hz. Among the occupational population who were living in the urban monitoring sites, the driver groups were found to have the highest risk of traffic noise induced hearing loss.     

基于异质人群响应特征的交通噪声暴露评估研究

考虑异质人群不同声功能需求和时空分布,对异质人群交通噪声暴露特征进行评估。通过集记人口高斯分解和噪声预测,获取特征人群分布数据和交通噪声数据;基于特征人群年龄和声功能需求,标定各年龄段人群噪声响应函数并进行归一化处理,构建异质人群噪声响应曲线;构建交通噪声暴露评估模型,结合获取数据及噪声响应曲线进行噪声暴露评估。结果表明,3类声功能区中人群噪声暴露与年龄变量均呈现类抛物线趋势,40岁左右人群暴露影响较儿童和老人低59.9%左右。人均噪声暴露在夜间明显偏高,尤其在声功能需求较高的第1类声功能区,其人均噪声超标值比昼间高7 d B。特征人群的空间分布对噪声暴露影响显著,工作时段学校区域适学人群集中,其总噪声暴露风险为同等状况住宅区的1.2倍。综合考虑人群特征和时空分布等因素,可更科学地进行区域交通噪声污染评估。     

区域环境噪声标准适用区域划分的定量化

根据国家环保局关于区域环境噪声环境划分的规定，提出了区域环境噪声标准定量化划分的模型，该模型综合了自然因素和噪声污染因素，模型在南通市区域环境噪声标准划分中得到了验证。     

Determination of noise induced hearing loss in mining: an application of hierarchical loglinear modelling

The levels of noise arise from mining industry seem to be higher when compared to other industries. For this reason, noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are prevalent in mining. Assessment of noise emission levels that arise from various mining operations is required to prevent and minimize the NIHL. Because the studies for preventing occupational hearing loss among miners are inadequate, a quarry and stone crushing-screening plant was selected to generate site-specific data. The noise levels of the environments in which workers work were measured and also a hearing test centre applied hearing tests to the workers. According to the hearing test results, it was determined that the part of workers have hearing loss. The main factors affecting the NIHL were assumed as experience, noise level, miners’ age and occupation, and by taking into account the sub factors of the main factors, multi way contingency tables were prepared. Then hierarchical loglinear analysis method was implemented to categorized data; thus, the probabilities might effect NIHL was investigated. At the end of this study, it was found that the most risky occupation group was the drivers, and additionally, these workers were mostly exposed to 70–79 dB(A) noise level. When the important interactions are evaluated, it is determined that 4–11 years experienced crusher workers have high probability of NIHL because of high exposure to 90–99 dB(A) noise level. Moreover, the most important interactions which may affect the NIHL were identified and the precautions to reduce hearing loss were presented.     

灰色理论及其模型在北京典型城市区域声环境研究中的应用

以北京市某典型区域作为研究对象，在收集大量相关资料与实测历史噪声数据的基础上，对研究区域内的声环境质量影响因素进行灰色关联度分析，并运用灰色理论建立GM（1,1）模型进行预测。结果表明，影响城市区域声环境质量因素从大到小的排序依次为：机动车辆﹥常住人口数量﹥平均车流量﹥地区生产总值﹥城市道路桥梁﹥基础设施投资﹥治理噪声环保投资；以研究区域内噪声污染实测历史数据建立的GM（1,1）模型精度符合要求标准，根据GM（1,1）模型预测北京市“十二五”期间声环境质量达标且有轻微下降趋势。     

Occupational noise in printing companies

The extent of noise in five printing companies in Novi Sad, Serbia, was determined using TES-1358A Sound Analyzer with RS-232 Interface. The data on equivalent A-level (dBA), as well as, maximum and minimum sound pressure levels were collected. It was found that folders and offset printing units are the predominant noise sources, with the average L (eq) levels of 87.66 and 82.7 dBA, respectively. Forty percent of the machines produced noise levels above the limiting threshold level of 85 dBA, allowed by law. The noise in all printing companies was dominated by higher frequency noise, and the maximum level mostly appeared at 4,000 Hz. For offset printing machines and folders, the means of L (eq) levels exceeded the permissible levels given by NR-80 curve at higher frequencies. There are no published studies of occupational noise and hearing impairment of workers exposed to hazardous noise in printing industry in Serbia. More extensive studies are needed to determine the exact impact of noise on the workers. Technical and organizational measures in order to control noise and prevent noise exposure, and general hearing conservation program to protect workers, should be introduced in printing industry.     

张家港市声环境相关问题问卷调查

对张家港市7个镇176名居民进行了有关声环境保护的问卷调查。结果表明,张家港市声环境质量近年来得到改善,57%的调查对象对声环境质量感到满意,市民对声环境的关注度较高。调查对象认为主要噪声污染源为建筑施工源,其次为工业源,然后是交通运输源,最后为社会生活噪声。4种噪声源实际导致的噪声污染事件数量间没有明显差别,其中社会生活噪声造成的污染情况数最多。居民实际遭遇的噪声污染事件类别和居民受教育程度会对居民提出声环境保护措施的倾向产生显著影响。     

我国城市声环境质量状况与分析

介绍了我国城市声环境质量状况,并就相关问题进行了分析.我国城市道路交通声环境质量大部分处于好和较好水平;城市区域声环境质量主要处于较好和轻度污染状态;约有1%的人口处在噪声重度污染区域;交通噪声影响强度最大;社会生活噪声影响范围最广;环境噪声污染仍存在污染投诉率高、交通噪声污染严重等问题,改善声环境质量仍是今后一项主要工作.     

Measurement and evaluation of the environmental noise levels in the urban areas of the city of Nis (Serbia)

The environmental noise level represents one of the key factors of life quality in urban areas of modern cities. A continuous monitoring of the noise levels and the analysis of results have become a necessity when we discuss a possible recovery of those areas with high levels of noise pollution, and particularly, those zones which were designed for specific activities, e.g., areas around hospitals and schools. The city of Nis, Serbia, owing to the permanent long-term noise monitoring, possesses a database containing figures related to the noise levels at relevant locations in the city, which can serve as a basis for an analysis of the change of conditions, their tendencies in the future, and recognizing factors which influence the danger of noise pollution. The paper involves an analysis of the environmental noise level collected during the previous years.     

Noise mapping of densely populated neighborhoods—example of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro—Brazil

Copacabana is one of the most famous neighborhoods of the city of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil but suffers from a high inhabitant density. One of the many environmental problems faced is related to noise pollution. In order to assess not only the noise levels, to which the population is exposed, but also to quantify the influence of architectural aspects, the paper presents the steps taken towards a simulation of the noise emission and propagation in this area. The results of the simulation are compared to measurements in different locations and daily-hours. The discrepancies are analyzed and the methodology is discussed in view of its application to a huge urban center like the city of Rio de Janeiro.     

燃放烟花爆竹对声环境评价的影响

噪声自动监测系统可以对噪声进行长期连续监测。通过对连续两年的北京市自动噪声监测数据进行分析表明,烟花爆竹燃放噪声能够对声功能区环境评价参数昼间等效声级、夜间等效声级及其达标率产生较大影响。尤其是1、2类声功能区影响可使等效声级提高10dB,达标率降低3%。提示有必要把节日的燃放噪声与其他噪声分开,单独分析。     

海口市声环境影响因素分析及预测

噪声污染一直是海口市主要的环境问题之一。主要原因是城市纵深度太低，道路密度太高，交通布局不合理，1991年－2000年城市区域环境噪声和道路交通噪声的平均值分别为59．0dB（A）和69．5dB（A）。利用城市区域环境噪声预测方法和道路交通噪声预测方法对该市噪声进行预测，2001年－2005年该市的区域噪声昼间平均等效声级综合预测值在57．6dB（A）－56．7dB（A）之间；道路交通噪声昼间平均等效声级综合预测值在68．2dB（A）－68．3dB（A）之间。     

Effects of noise pollution over the blood serum immunoglobulins and auditory system on the VFM airport workers, Van, Turkey

Noise pollution is a common health problem for developing countries. Especially highways and airports lead to noise pollution in different levels and in many frequencies. In this study, we focused on the effect of noise pollution in airports. This work aimed measurements of noise pollution levels in Van Ferit Melen (VFM) airport and effect of noise pollution over the immunoglobulin A, G, and M changes among VFM airport workers in Turkey. It was seen that apron and terminal workers were exposed to high noise (>80 dB(A)) without any protective precautions. Noise-induced temporary threshold shifts and noise-induced permanent threshold shifts were detected between the apron workers (p?<?0.001) and terminal workers (p?<?0.005). IgA values of apron terminal and control group workers were approximately the same in the morning and increased in a linear manner during the day. This increase was statistically significant (p?<?0.001). IgG and IgM values of apron, terminal, and control group workers were approximately same in the morning. Apron and terminal workers IgG and IgM levels were increased until noon and then decreased until evening as compare to control group, but these changes were not statically significant (p?>?0.05). These findings suggested that the noise pollution in the VFM airport could lead to hearing loss and changes in blood serum immunoglobulin levels of airport workers. Blood serum immunoglobulin changes might be due to vibrational effects of noise pollution. Airport workers should apply protective precautions against effect of noise pollution in the VFM airport.     

开封市交通噪声环境质量二级模糊综合评价

在开封市2005年交通噪声实地监测数据的基础上,运用二级模糊综合评价法,对市区交通噪声环境质量进行现状评价,评价结果为开封市交通噪声环境质量总体上昼间属于轻污染,夜间属于重度污染,夜间交通噪声环境质量明显劣于昼间。其结论符合开封市的实际情况,不仅能较好地描述开封市交通噪声环境污染的连续、渐变、模糊的特点,而且还弥补了一级模糊综合评价难以反映出小范围路段对整体环境质量贡献的不足。     

Health risk estimation due to carbon monoxide pollution at different spatial levels in Santiago, Chile

The Metropolitan Region of Santiago has been declared as nonattainment area for carbon monoxide (CO). The data was based on seven air monitoring stations that do not necessarily represent the real population exposure. Usually, a series of coefficients that relates the concentration of pollutants with health effects (betas of the concentration–response equations) are used. For the calculation of these betas, normally, a city average air pollution concentration is used; nevertheless, these betas do not necessarily represent the real risk of exposure that the inhabitants are experimented. For this reason, this study estimates two aspects that are unknown and that are necessary to policymakers in public health decisions. First, estimate the exposure at a lower spatial resolution level and, second, estimate a concentration–response curve that differs spatially and depends on the proportion of susceptible groups. We followed the Air Pollution and Health, European Approach/Spanish Multicenter Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution and the Mortality methodology for the determination of the short-term health effect due to CO population exposure at the three spatial levels (city, zone, and county). We found that there are different risks in cardiorespiratory mortality in the group over 64 years old associated to an unequal exposure to CO in Santiago city. The higher risks are in counties located to the south–east of the city. These finding confirm the necessity to face, in a different way, the approach when evaluating control strategies and policy decision to control air pollution in Santiago.     

Geoprocessing applied to the assessment of environmental noise: a case study in the city of Sorocaba, S?o Paulo, Brazil

Noise mapping has been used as an instrument for assessment of environmental noise, helping to support decision making on urban planning. In Brazil, urban noise is not yet recognized as a major environmental problem by the government. Besides, cities that have databases to drive acoustic simulations, making use of advanced noise mapping systems, are rare. This study sought an alternative method of noise mapping through the use of geoprocessing, which is feasible for the Brazilian reality and for other developing countries. The area chosen for the study was the central zone of the city of Sorocaba, located in São Paulo State, Brazil. The proposed method was effective in the spatial evaluation of equivalent sound pressure level. The results showed an urban area with high noise levels that exceed the legal standard, posing a threat to the welfare of the population.     

一起环境噪声污染纠纷案的仲裁监测

环境噪声污染纠纷仲裁监测 ,既要选择噪声源界外测点 ,又要选择其相邻方区域内测点 ,并按标准规定对测量值进行背景值修正。提出环境噪声污染应以所产生的环境噪声排放是否超过其所在区域环境噪声标准来判别。     

Major factors of industrial noise-induced hearing loss in Hong Kong

A tripartite participation of government, trade unions and university was formed in 1988 to study the situation of industrial noise and hearing acuity of workers. Since 1982, the six industries identified by the Noise Control Office were construction, electronics, metals, plastics, shipbuilding and repairing, and textiles. Safety-subcommittees were formed. With the help of these subcommittees, 21 out of 32 medium-size factories responded to the study. A total of 922 sound measurements were made and 1062 out of 10724 workers were examined. More than one third (37.5%) of workers worked in locations with noise level in excess of L _eq (8h) 90 dBA. Among examined subjects, 39.8% were exposed to L _eq (8) 90 dBA and above and 18.6% were found to have industrial hearing loss. Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex and age showed that for hearing loss, the important risk factors were duration of occupational noise exposure, noise intensity, floor vibration and military experience. Current legislation and measures in hearing conservation were inadequate despite the implementation of inspection by the Noise Control Office. Recommendations were directed at amending relevant legislation, increasing supervision of use of personal ear protection, and strengthening health education and audiometric surveillance of exposed workers.     

Evaluation and analysis of noise levels in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria

Evaluation and analysis of noise pollution levels have been carried out to determine the level of noise and its sources in Ilorin metropolis. Noise measurements have been done in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and at night to determine noise pollution all over the city. The selected areas of study are commercial centers, road junctions/busy roads, passenger loading parks, and high-density and low-density residential areas. The road junctions had the highest noise pollution levels, followed by commercial centers. The results of this study show that the noise levels in Ilorin metropolis exceeded allowed values at 30 of 42 measurements points. There is a significant difference (P?<?0.05) in the noise pollution levels and traffic noise index in all the locations. From the measured noise values, a map of noise pollution was developed for Ilorin. Many solutions proposed for noise abatement in the city are set out.     

Health,safety, and environmental risk assessment of steel production complex in central Iran using TOPSIS

This research was carried out with the aim of presenting an environmental management plan for steel production complex (SPC) in central Iran. Following precise identification of the plant activities as well as the study area, possible sources of environmental pollution and adverse impacts on the air quality, water, soil, biological environment, socioeconomic and cultural environment, and health and safety of the employees were determined considering the work processes of the steel complex. Afterwards, noise, wastewater, and air pollution sources were measured. Subsequently, factors polluting the steel complex were identified by TOPSIS and then prioritized using Excel Software. Based on the obtained results, the operation of the furnaces in hot rolling process with the score 1, effluent derived from hot rolling process with the score 0.565, nonprincipal disposal and dumping of waste at the plant enclosure with the score 0.335, walking beam process with the score 1.483 respectively allocated themselves the highest priority in terms of air, water, soil and noise pollution. In terms of habitats, land cover and socioeconomic and cultural environment, closeness to the forest area and the existence of four groups of wildlife with the score 1.106 and proximity of villages and residential areas to the plant with the score 3.771 respectively enjoyed the highest priorities while impressibility and occupational accidents with the score 2.725 and cutting and welding operations with score 2.134 had the highest priority among health and safety criteria. Finally, strategies for the control of pollution sources were identified and Training, Monitoring and environmental management plan of the SPC was prepared.