Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
권호 표지

Noise Exposure Assessment at Military Rifle Ranges in South Korea

우리나라 군대 소총사격 훈련장에서의 소음노출평가

  • Hwang, Sung Ho (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University, School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Jae Bum (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University, School of Medicine)
  • 황성호 (아주대학교 의과대학 직업환경의학교실) ;
  • 박재범 (아주대학교 의과대학 직업환경의학교실)
  • Published : 2013.09.30
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate noise level exposures at different locations such as the left and right ears of the shooter, control room, waiting soldier location and drill ground. For this study, we visited two military rifle ranges and took measurements with a sound level meter (3M Quest SoundPro TM) at five different locations with values of Peak (dB(A)) and Max (dB(A)). The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 150.4 dB(A), ranging from 149.6 to 150.5 dB(A) at both the left and right ear sides. This result was significantly different between both left and right ear side locations and at other locations such as the control room, waiting soldier location, and drill ground (P < 0.001). Frequency of impulse noise exposure level showed that the left ear of shooter had the highest frequency (20 times) at over 150 dB(A). This study confirmed that there is a need for proper controls to reduce the amount of impulse noise exposure at military rifle ranges.

Keywords

References

  1. Ministry of Employment and Labor(MoEL). Exposure limits for chemical substances and physical Agents (MoEL Public Notice No. 2010-44).; 2010. p. 81-82
  2. Kim NJ, Kwon JK, Lee JH. The impact of noise expose on the hearing threshold extended high frequency. Korean J Occup Environ Med 2008;20(2):81-92
  3. Kim H, Cho SH, Lim HS. The effect of gunshot or cannonade training during military service on hearing threshold levels. Korean J Prevent Med 1991;24(1):86-92
  4. Lee NS, Lee KJ, Kim JJ. Asymmetrical hearing loss and related factors among the noise exposed male workers. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg 2010;20(2): 94-101
  5. Henselman LW, Henderson D, Shadoan J, Subramaniam M, Saunders S et al. Effects of noise exposure, race, and years of service on hearing in U.S. Army soldiers. Ear and Hearing 1995;16(4):382-391 https://doi.org/10.1097/00003446-199508000-00005
  6. Labarere J, Lemardeley P, Vincey P, Desjeux G, Pascal B. Acute acoustic trauma in military personnel evaluation of one year epidemiologic surveillance. Presse Medicale 2000;29(24):1341-1344
  7. Lin HC, Chao PZ, Lee HC. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss increases the risk of stroke: A 5-year follow-up study. Stroke 2008;39(10):2744-2748 https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.519090
  8. Nagaoka J, dos Anjos MF, Takata TT, Chaim RM, Barros F et al. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: evolution in the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemias. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2010;76(3):363-369 https://doi.org/10.1590/S1808-86942010000300015
  9. Pillips YY, Zajtchuk JT. Blast injuries of the ear in military operation. The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology Supplment 1989;140:3-4
  10. Savolainen S, Lehtomaki KM. Impulse noise and acute acoustic trauma in Finnish conscripts. Number of shots fired and safe distances. Scandinavian Audiology 1997;26(2):122-126 https://doi.org/10.3109/01050399709074985
  11. Temmel AF, Kierner AC, Steurer M, Riedl S, Innitzer J. Hearing loss and tinnitus in acute acoustic trauma. Wiener Klinishe Wochenschrift 1999;18(3):161-165