Greta Jimenez
Noise pollution is any unpleasant, damaging, or irritating noise that has the potential to harm people, wildlife, or the environment. It is often caused by transportation vehicles, household appliances, and industrial machinery. The effects of noise pollution on human health include hearing loss, sleep issues, raised blood pressure, and stress. To measure noise pollution, sound level meters (SLMs) are commonly used. These can be hand-held devices or smartphone applications. The decibel (dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of sound, with higher dB values indicating louder noises. Noise dosimeters and integrating sound level meters (ISLMs) are also used to measure noise over a period of time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unit of measurement | Decibel (dB) |
| dB scale | Logarithmic |
| dB reference | 0 dB is 10 times less powerful than 10 dB, 0 dB is 100 times less powerful than 20 dB, and so on |
| Common sounds in dB | Whisper (30 dB), normal conversation (60 dB), busy traffic (80 dB) |
| Workplace exposure limit | 80 dB |
| Painful noise level | 135 dB |
| Instruments used for measuring noise | Sound level meter (SLM), integrating sound level meter (ISLM), noise dosimeter |
| SLM response rate | SLOW or FAST |
| SLM type | Type 1 (engineering, laboratory, and research work) or Type 2 (industrial field evaluations) |
| Pitch | Frequency of sound vibrations per second |
| Sound recording | Microphone or sound sensor |
| Noise reduction | Earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, noise reduction windows and doors, noise-absorbent materials (e.g. acoustical foam, glass fiber) |
| Noise protection products | Noise neutralizers, noise insulation |
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What You'll Learn
Sound level meters
There are two types of SLMs: Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 SLMs are more accurate due to their narrower tolerance limits. They are primarily used in engineering, laboratory, and research work. Class 2 SLMs are sufficiently accurate for industrial field evaluations.
When using an SLM, it is important to calibrate the device before and after each use to ensure accuracy. The SLM should be held at arm's length at ear height for those exposed to the noise. The response rate, or the time period over which the instrument averages the sound level before displaying it, should be set to slow for workplace noise level measurements.
In addition to SLMs, other instruments used for measuring noise include the integrating sound level meter (ISLM) and the noise dosimeter. An ISLM is similar to a dosimeter but is handheld and does not provide personal exposures. It determines equivalent sound levels at a particular location, even if the actual sound level of the noise changes. A noise dosimeter, on the other hand, is worn and is useful in workplaces with impulse, intermittent, or variable noise levels, as it can determine a person's average exposure to noise over a work shift.
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Decibel (dB) measurements
Noise pollution is typically defined as any unwanted or excessive sound that can have adverse effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. Noise pollution is often generated in industrial facilities and some other workplaces, as well as from transportation and outdoor construction activities.
To measure noise pollution, engineers and professionals use sound level meters (SLMs) that measure sound pressure levels in decibels (dB). Decibels can be adjusted to human hearing and are described in decibels A (dBA). The normal human ear can detect sounds ranging from 0 dB (hearing threshold) to approximately 140 dB, with sounds above 120 dB causing pain. An increase of 10 dB represents a ten-fold increase in sound intensity, with a 20 dB increase representing a 100-fold increase, and so on.
There are various types of SLMs, such as the Type 2 SLM, which is commonly used for industrial field evaluations, and the more expensive and accurate Type 1 SLMs used in engineering, laboratories, and research. The SLM is typically held at arm's length at ear height for those exposed to the noise, and it must be calibrated before and after each use. The response rate of the SLM, which is the time period over which it averages the sound level, should be set to 'slow' for workplace noise level measurements.
In addition to the SLM, other instruments used for measuring noise include the integrating sound level meter (ISLM) and the noise dosimeter. The ISLM is similar to the dosimeter but is hand-held and determines equivalent sound levels at a particular location. The noise dosimeter is useful in workplaces with impulse, intermittent, or variable noise levels, as it helps determine a person's average noise exposure over a shift.
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Workplace noise regulations
Noise pollution is any unpleasant, damaging, or irritating noise that could harm people, wildlife, or the environment. It can be measured by its pitch, which is the frequency of sound vibrations per second. Environmental engineers are responsible for measuring noise pollution and recommending noise reduction or elimination strategies. They use sound level meters, noise dosimeters, and octave band analyzers to measure noise levels.
To measure workplace noise, a walk-through survey is recommended to determine if noise is a potential issue. Indicators of hazardous noise levels include noise louder than busy city traffic and the need to raise one's voice to be heard by someone one meter away. Personal noise exposure levels are then determined using instruments like sound level meters (SLMs), integrating sound level meters (ISLMs), or noise dosimeters. SLMs are typically held at arm's length at ear height and must be calibrated before and after each use.
It is important to understand the calibration and operation of the chosen instrument, with the user manual providing essential guidance. Type 2 SLMs are sufficiently accurate for industrial settings, while Type 1 SLMs are more expensive and used in engineering, laboratory, and research work. ISLMs determine equivalent sound levels at a specific location, even with changing noise levels. They are similar to dosimeters, which are worn and provide personal noise exposure measurements.
By following these workplace noise regulations and utilizing appropriate measurement instruments, employers can ensure the protection of their workers' hearing health and comply with legal requirements.
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Environmental noise
To measure environmental noise, sound level meters (SLMs) are commonly used. These devices are typically held at arm's length at ear height for accurate readings. SLMs come in two main types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 SLMs are more accurate and expensive, primarily used in engineering, laboratory, and research work. Type 2 SLMs are sufficiently accurate for industrial field evaluations and workplace noise measurements. The microphone on the SLM does not need to be pointed precisely at the noise source, and the device should be calibrated before and after each use according to the manufacturer's instructions. The SLM can be set to SLOW or FAST response, with the former being suitable for workplace noise level measurements as it averages the sound level over a more extended period.
In addition to SLMs, other instruments used for measuring noise include the integrating sound level meter (ISLM) and the noise dosimeter. The ISLM is similar to the dosimeter but is hand-held and determines equivalent sound levels at a particular location. It provides a single reading of a given noise, even if the actual sound level changes continuously. The noise dosimeter, on the other hand, is worn by individuals and is particularly useful in workplaces with impulse, intermittent, or variable noise levels, as it helps determine a person's average exposure to noise over a shift.
When measuring environmental noise, it is important to keep a log of disruptive noises and how they affect you. This can help identify repeatable disruptive environments that can be targeted for noise reduction interventions. Additionally, there are sound meter apps available for smartphones that can be useful for measuring noise levels in your surroundings.
Engineers play a crucial role in addressing environmental noise by designing new technologies that produce less noise to comply with official safety requirements. They also develop noise protection products such as noise-cancelling headphones, noise insulation windows, and noise reduction materials.
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Health effects of noise pollution
Noise pollution is any unwanted or disturbing sound that can adversely affect the lives of humans and other organisms. It has been deemed a "growing danger to the health and welfare of the Nation's population" by US agencies such as the EPA. The European Environmental Agency reports that noise is the second largest environmental cause of health issues, just after air pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported similar findings, with an estimated 1 million healthy years of life lost annually due to environmental noise effects.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most commonly discussed health effect of noise pollution, with approximately 10 million people in the US suffering from permanent hearing loss due to noise or trauma. However, research has shown that exposure to constant or high levels of noise can lead to various other health issues. These include tinnitus, hypersensitivity to sound, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep disturbances, stress, mental health and cognitive problems, childhood learning delays, and low birth weight. High noise levels can also cause elevated stress levels, mood swings, hypertension, and diminished productivity.
The impacts of noise pollution are likely to be underestimated, with new World Health Organization evidence showing effects even at levels below the 85-decibel Environmental Noise Directive (END) thresholds. Sounds that reach 85 decibels or higher are considered potentially harmful to the ears, and common sources of such noise pollution include lawnmowers (90 decibels) and subway trains (90 to 115 decibels). Environmental noise can also interfere with daily activities such as sleep or conversations, further contributing to the adverse health effects.
To protect against the harmful effects of noise pollution, individuals can use hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs and invest in soundproofing insulation. However, this may not be feasible for those living in noisier areas, and addressing noise issues often falls on state and local governments. Noise control engineers also play a crucial role in designing noise insulation technologies and sound-absorbent materials to reduce noise levels and meet recommended standards.
In conclusion, noise pollution is a significant health risk that can lead to a range of adverse health effects, from hearing loss to cardiovascular disease. It is important to prioritize research and funding to better understand and address the impacts of noise pollution on public health and welfare.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to determine whether noise is a potential problem in your workplace. Indicators of a hazardous noise level include noise that is louder than busy city traffic, having to raise your voice to talk to someone one meter away, and having to increase the volume of a radio or TV at the end of a shift. If you determine that noise is a problem, you can use a dedicated sound level meter (SLM) or a smartphone app to measure noise levels.
Indicators of potentially hazardous noise levels include:
- Noise is louder than busy city traffic.
- People have to raise their voices to talk to someone at one meter (3 feet) away.
- At the end of a work shift, people have to increase the volume of their radio or TV to a level that is too loud for others.
You can use a dedicated sound level meter (SLM) or a smartphone app to measure noise levels. Common instruments used for measuring noise include the SLM, the integrating sound level meter (ISLM), and the noise dosimeter.
