• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.615-621
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• 2011

There are hundreds of thousands call center workers wearing acoustic device. However, researches and noise exposure measurements on the noise transmitted from acoustic devices have seldom been performed due to the difficulty of measurement and to the absence of the measuring method in Korea. The aim of this study is to set up management measures to protect hearing loss on the call operator by acquiring measurement data of noise transmitted from the headset. Noise exposure measurements of 17 operators were performed in 7 call centers and head and Torso simulator method in compliance with the ISO standard 11904-2 was used for the measurement of noise transmitted from the headset. Sound pressure levels(SPL) transmitted from the headset were 73.2~86 dB(A). The operator exposed to the highest SPL set up his volume control at 9 which was the highest volume level. The volume control level, adjustable from 1 to 9, could be identified 12 out of 17 operators and the range of volume levels was 4.5~9. As a result of pearson correlation analysis, the correlation between volume level and SPL transmitted from the headset showed high relation as significance at the 0.672 level(p<0.05). To protect hearing loss of call center operators, it is more practical and effective measure to limit the volume level below the noise exposure level, i.e. 85 dB(A), rather than to carry out noise monitoring considering cost-effective aspect.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2020

Background: In a wide range of industries, noise-induced hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent occupational problems. This study aimed to assess the noise exposure level and associated factors of hearing loss among textile workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December 2018. In total, 226 workers who were randomly selected from 3 weaving sections participated in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A digital sound level meter and pure-tone audiometer were used for the assessment of noise exposure level and hearing loss, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of hearing loss. Results: In total workers, 66.4% were exposed to ≥85 dB(A) of noise exposure, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 25.7%. Age ≥35 years, below high school education, hearing difficulty, tinnitus, hypertension, > 9 years of service duration in a textile mill were positively associated with hearing loss. After adjusting confounding factors, age ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6.90, 95% confidence interval = 3.45-13.82) and tinnitus (adjusted odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-7.37) were persistently associated with hearing loss. Conclusion: Providing occupational hazard education and enforcement of occupational safety regulations should be taken to decrease the noise exposure level. The regular audiometry test should be conducted for assessment of hearing threshold shift. The employer needs to implement a hearing conservation program in workplace when noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 dB(A) for 8 hours.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.217-225
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• 1998

In this paper, the analysis of the relation between noise induced hearing loss and noise exposure is described for the A-weighted noise levels and exposure duration. The hearing loss and sensitivity threshold shift is investigated by changing the various parameters such as the effects of aging and noise exposure. Total hearing loss is proportional to a function of exposure level based upon the integral of pressure with time. If the noise exposure term is large so that the presbycusis may be neglected, the hearing loss due to aging and noise exposure becomes the noise induced hearing loss. It is shown that exposure to excessive noise can cause temporary loss of hearing that may become permanent if the exposure is prolonged or intense. An audiogram taken from a person suffering from noise induced hearing loss will usually show the greatest loss of hearing sensitivity in the 4kHz region, which is typically the region most sensitive to damage resulting from many types of industrial noise.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2018

Objectives: This study examines exposure to hazardous substances in the working environment caused by exposure to toxic substances produced in the aluminum die casting process in the automobile manufacturing industry. Materials and Methods: The exposure concentration levels, detection rates and time-trend of 15 hazardous factors in the aluminum die casting process over 10 years(from 2006 to 2016) were used as a database. Results: The study found that hazardous factors in the aluminum die casting process were mostly metals. The rate for detected samples was 70.6%(405 samples), and that for not detected samples was 29.4%. The noise for an eight-hour work shift showed a 49.7% exceedance rate for TLV-TWA. Average noise exposure was 89.0 dB. The maximum exposure level was 105.1 dB. Conclusion: The high numbers of no-detection rates for hazardous substance exposure shows that there is no need to do a work environment measurement. Therefore, alternatives are necessary for improving the efficiency and reliability of the work environment measurement. Moreover, to prevent noise damage, reducing noise sources from automation, shielding, or sound absorbents are necessary.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2009

In this study, computer simulation program was using to identify the effects of road traffic noise propagation depending on the road types which are very variable in dense city. To achieve this goal, the roads should adjacent to housing complex were categorized into 7 types and propagation noise level should predicted then after simulation of noise exposure population calculation are carried out. Followings the results. First, the road types producing the higher noise level are R1, R2, R3 and R7. The lowest one is R6. And R4, R5 showed that some amount of noise level reduction. Second. the R6 road type which is tunnel shaped showed the highest noise level reduction in vertical distance gap. Last, the order of noise exposure population ratio is R1>R2>R7 and R6 showed the lowest.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 2014

Objectives: Purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise level exposures at the different cannonball type and locations in the tank gun drill ranges. Methods: We visited the tank gun drill ranges and measured with a sound level meter(3M Quest SoundPro$^{TM}$) with the value of Peak(dB(A)). Results: The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 166.3 dB(A) at the site of loading solider. The highest peak value of impulse noise level by size of cannonball averaged 165.9 dB(A) at the 120 mm size cannonball of the tank. This result was significantly different from the other size of cannonballs such as 7.62 mm, 90 mm, and 105 mm(p < 0.001). Among the four types of soldier site on the tank, average noise levels of loading soldier, 156.6 dB(A), were higher than the other three types of soldier site (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirmed that there were needed for a proper control to reduce the amount of impulse noise exposure at the tank gun drill ranges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.308-316
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study is to measure and assess the occupational noise exposure levels among construction workers at apartment building construction sites in South Korea. Methods: Noise exposure assessments were conducted for 139 construction workers across 10 different trades at 53 apartment building construction sites in the northern part of Gyeonggi-do. Assessments were carried out using a noise dosimeter set with a 90 dB criterion, an 80 dB threshold, and a 5 dB exchange rate over a period of more than 6 hours(L_MOEL) Results: The mean L_MOEL (equivalent continuous noise level over 8 hours) for the 139 dosimeter samples was 87.8 ± 4.3 dBA. The mean noise exposure level for each construction trade, referred to as the trade mean, was also calculated. Significant differences in noise exposure levels were observed between construction trades (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The highest L_MOEL values were recorded for concrete chippers (93.2 ± 2.6 dBA), followed by ironworkers (88.4 ± 0.7 dBA), concrete finishers (88.3 ± 2.7 dBA), masonry workers (87.7 ± 1.9 dBA), pile driver operators (85.6 ± 1.7 dBA), concrete carpenters (84.9 ± 2.4 dBA), interior carpenters (83.5 ± 2.1 dBA), and other groups (81.4 ± 2.2 dBA). Conclusions: The findings suggest that nearly all construction workers in this study are at risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Moreover, the study establishes that construction trades can serve as a useful metric for assessing noise exposure levels at apartment construction sites.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.336-341
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• 2010

One mechanism of inner ear damage by noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because Korean red ginseng (KRG) has an anti-ROS effect in various tissues, KRG may have a role in preventing NIHL. A window period exists in which ROS formations continue after noise exposure, and further damage can be prevented by antioxidants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of KRG after exposure to noise. KRG (200 mg/kg) was fed to mice for 3 days after noise exposure. The change in hearing level was analyzed by measuring the auditory brainstem response. To induce a temporary threshold shift (TTS) of hearing, mice were exposed to 110 dB white noise for 3 hours. Fast recovery of hearing was observed in mice fed KRG 1 hour and 1 day after noise exposure for 3 days. The expression of 8-oxoguanine was not observed in the inner ears of mice fed KRG 1 hour after noise exposure, but was evident in the stria vascularis of mice in the control group (noise exposure only). From this study, we conclude that KRG acted as an effective inhibitor of NIHL in TTS cases.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.348-354
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• 2011

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Dental School of Prince of Songkla University to ascertain noise exposure of dentists, dental assistants, and laboratory technicians. A noise spectral analysis was taken to illustrate the spectra of dental devices. Methods: A noise evaluation was performed to measure the noise level at dental clinics and one dental laboratory from May to December 2010. Noise spectral data of dental devices were taken during dental practices at the dental services clinic and at the dental laboratory. A noise dosimeter was set following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration criteria and then attached to the subjects' collar to record personal noise dose exposure during working periods. Results: The peaks of the noise spectrum of dental instruments were at 1,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz which depended on the type of instrument. The differences in working areas and job positions had an influence on the level of noise exposure (p < 0.01). Noise measurement in the personal hearing zone found that the laboratory technicians were exposed to the highest impulsive noise levels (137.1 dBC). The dentists and dental assistants who worked at a pedodontic clinic had the highest percent noise dose (4.60 ${\pm}$ 3.59%). In the working areas, the 8-hour time-weighted average of noise levels ranged between 49.7-58.1 dBA while the noisiest working area was the dental laboratory. Conclusion: Dental personnel are exposed to noise intensities lower than occupational exposure limits. Therefore, these dental personnel may not experience a noise-induced hearing loss.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.15 no.5 s.98
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• pp.550-557
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• 2005

Korean 'Law of Aviation' and 'Test Method of Measuring Noise and Vibration' designate to use WECPNL metric based on $L_{max}$ measurement for the accessment of aircraft noise in Korea. However, time duration of noise event can not be considered in $L_{max}$ metric in principle, compensation on the duration has been utilized. A study was done recently to evaluate appropriate duration compensation for the accessment of military aircraft noise under current metric of WECPNL and $L_{max}$. This study was carried out to evaluate what metric is the most appropriate to express aircraft noise including time duration of single noise event, computing and comparing noise exposure with 1 second noise measurement data of military aircraft in $L_{max}$, $L_{Aeq,\;T}$ and SEL. This study shows SEL is the most appropriate noise metric for the evaluation of noise exposure with time duration such as aircraft noise without compensation. It is suggested to use SEL noise metric instead of $L_{max}$ noise metric with duration compensation for the aircraft noise accessment either military aircraft or civilian aircraft.