• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.307-314
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• 2008

Objectives : We conducted an epidemiologic survey to evaluate the effect of the aircraft noise exposure on the health of the residents near the military airbases in Pyeongtaek City. Methods : The evaluation of environmental noise level, questionnaire survey, and health examination were performed for 917 residents. The study population consisted of four groups: subjects who lived in the village close to the fighter airbase (high exposure), subjects who lived along the course of fighters (intermediate exposure), and subjects near a helicopter airbase, and the control group. Results : The prevalence of the aircraft noise related accident and irritable bowel syndrome in the exposure groups were higher than that of the control group. The risks of noise induced hearing loss, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. The prevalence of anxiety disorder and primary insomnia were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. Prevalence odd ratios of the risk for primary insomnia after adjusting age, sex, agricultural noise, and occupation were 4.03 [95% confidence interval (95% Cl) 1.56-10.47] for the subject near the helicopter airbase, 1.23 (95% Cl 0.40-3.76) for those intermediately exposed to fighter noise, and 4.99 (95% Cl 2.14-11.64) for those highly exposed to fighter noise. Conclusions : The results of the present study suggest that the aircraft noise may have adverse effects on hearing function, cardiovascular health and mental health. Therefore, it seems to be needed to take proper measures including the control of the aircraft noise and the management of the exposed people's health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.5 s.77
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• pp.12-16
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• 2006

This paper deals with the noise evaluation and noise reduction of a reciprocating air-compressor. The reciprocating air-compressor is widely used in the small and medium sized industrial firms, many employees exposed and irritated by their noise in the workplace. Thus, appropriate noise control actions should be taken to prevent hearing loss due to the its noise exposure. Lead-wrapping techniques are employed to identify the contribution of principal noise sources which are generally known to be motor, belts, suction valves, discharge valves, moving parts, and flow-induced noise caused by edges or discontinuities along the flow path including expansions, contractions, junctions and bends. As a result, the main noise sources of the air-compressor are categorized by the suction and discharge noise, valve noise, and compressed air tank noise. Based on the investigations, mufflers are designed to reduce both the suction and discharge noise and the compressed-air tank noise. Instead of the conventional valve plate, polyethylene resin is used the reduction of valve impact noise. In addition, attempts are made to reduce the valve noise propagation to the cylinder head and the compressor tank by using the insulation casings. As a result of the countermeasure plans, a noise reduction up to 10dB(A) could be achieved for the air-compressor.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.569-576
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• 2019

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to assess firefighters' daily personal noise exposure and explore noise levels related to specific tasks and their contributions to total noise exposure using 24-hour full-shift noise exposure measurements with task-based data. Methods: Noise exposure was assessed for eight firefighters (two rescuers, two drivers, and four suppressors) using time-activity diaries. We collected a total of 24 full-shift personal noise sample sets (three samples per a firefighter). The 24-hour shift-adjusted daily personal noise exposure level (L_ep,d), eight weekly personal noise exposures (L_eq,w), and 40 task-specific L_eq values (L_{eq activity}) were calculated via the ISO/NIOSH method. Results: The firefighter noise-sample datasets showed that most firefighters are exposed to noise levels above EU recommended levels at a low-action value. The highest noise exposure was for rescuers, followed by drivers and suppressors. Noise measurements with time-at-task information revealed that 82.3% of noise exposure occurred when checking equipment and responding to fire or emergency calls. Conclusions: The results indicate that firefighters are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Therefore, efforts at noise-control are necessary for their protection. This task-specific noise exposure assessment also shows that protective measures should be focused on certain tasks, such as checking and testing equipment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.841-849
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• 2013

Workers engaged in construction works have been exposed to high levels of noise during their work in tunnels. Noise is one of the major health hazards for employees working in construction sites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise levels generating from tunneling equipments such as jumbo drills, backhoes, payloaders, shotcrete machines and service cars. Explosion and turbo fan noises were also monitored. A high precision sound level meter was introduced for measuring LAeq, LAFmax, LAFmin and LCpeak noises in 5 tunneling work sites that were located in Seoul, Kyunggi-do and Kangwon-do areas with NATM and shield methods. The highest noise was recorded by explosion(151.9 dB LCpeak) followed by jumbo drills of higher than 110 dB(A) LAeq. Backhoe normally generated 90~110 dB(A) LAeq while breaking work of rock showed additional around 5~15 dB(A). Noise exposure levels for payloader and shotcrete machine scored more than 90 dB(A) which might be a source of noise-induced hearing loss. Additional research in revealing noise levels from construction equipments operating in tunneling works may enhance the protection of workers who exposed to noise primarily at the sites.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.230-237
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• 2021

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss is a well-known occupational disease that affects many fish harvesters from many fisheries worldwide, whose risk factor is prolonged exposure to hazardous noise levels. To date, academic research activities and regulatory bodies have not provided any comparative analysis among the existing methods to assess noise exposure levels of fish harvesters. This paper provides a comparison of four relevant assessment methods of noise exposure, examining the results of a measurement campaign performed onboard small fishing vessels from Newfoundland and Labrador. Methods: We traveled onboard 11 vessels engaged in multiple fisheries from Newfoundland and Labrador and performed extensive noise exposure surveys using the simplified International Maritime Organization method, the full-day measurement method, and the two methods provided by ISO 9612:2009, the task-based method and job-based method (JBM). Results: The results showed that the four methods yield similar values when the noise components are dominated by the engine and auxiliaries (steady-state sources); when noise components are dominated by the fishing gear, task-based method and the simplified International Maritime Organization method estimates are less accurate than JBM, using full-day measurements as baseline. Conclusion: The JBM better assesses noise exposure in small-scale fisheries, where noise exposure has significant variance and uncertainties on the exposure levels are higher.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.277-281
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• 2005

Air-line mask is an important personal protective equipment for workers working under hazardous surroundings in which a fixed ventilation system is difficult to be installed. If the air-line mask make loud noise, works wearing the mask may be faced with health problems such as noise induced hearing loss(NIHL). The purpose of this study is to introduce a low noisy technology for workers using air-line mask. A traditional type air-line has been improved to an advanced air-line mask with lesser noise. In the mask, air suppling conduits consists of multi tubes are placed inside of the front of the safety helmet. The noise level reduced from 80dB(A) to less than 80dB(A) when measured by KS A 0701 method at Center for Safety Inspection, Testing and Certification for KOSHA. It is suitable for related regulation[Article 35 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act(Test of Personal Protective Equipment)]. While workers working in noise level of over 90dB(A), they may expose to 82dB(A) or less when they wear the advanced masks. This type masks can be an alternative for works suffering from loud noise generated by traditional air-line masks.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the personal stereo system on the hearing in adolescents. Methods : A total of 68 adolescents(age: 13-18 years) who visited the ENT Department at a University Hospital in Daegu were personally interviewed. The questionnaires were about general characteristics of the subjects, the time of personal stereo system use (year, hour) and place. Cumulative exposure to the personal stereo system was calculated by the product of the total years and the daily hours of their use. Pure tone audiometry was performed and the hearing threshold was measured at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz. Results : The average time of using a personal stereo system a day was about 3 hours and 75% of the subjects used a personal stereo system for 2-5 years. The elevation of threshold was more prominent in the subjects who used personal stereo systems for 4 years and more compared with those subjects who used them for 3 years and under. The elevation of hearing threshold was also more prominent in the subjects who used personal stereo systems for 4 hours and more a day compared with those subjects who used personal stereo systems for 3 hours and under a day. The elevation of hearing threshold was more prominent in the subjects who used personal stereo systems for 13 hour. years and more compared to the subjects who used them 12 hour. years and under. Conclusions : These results suggest that the elevation of hearing threshold can happen to adolescents who used personal stereo systems for a long time. In order to prevent hearing loss, we need to teach adolescents appropriate usage of the personal stereo system and hearing tests should be included in the periodic school-based physical examination for the adolescents.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2004

This paper deals with the noise evaluation technique of a reciprocating air-compressor and its noise reduction. The reciprocating air-compressors are widely used in the small, medium sized industrial firms, and lots of their employees are affected and irritated by their noise in the workplace. Thus, noise control actions should be taken appropriately by considering the hearing loss due to the occupational noise exposure. Lead-wrapping techniques are employed to identify the contribution of principal noise sources which are generally known as motor, belts, suction/discharge valves, moving pistons, and flow-induced noise caused by edges or discontinuities along the flow path e.g. expansions, contractions, junctions and bends etc .. As a result, main noise sources of the air-compressor can be categorized by the suction/discharge noise, valve noise, and compressed-air tank noise. Based on the investigations, mufflers are designed to reduce both the suction/discharge noise and the compressed-air tank noise. Instead of the conventional valve plate, polyethylene resin is used as a new one for the reduction of valve impact noise. In addition, attempts are made to reduce the valve noise propagation to the cylinder head and the compressor tank by using the insulation casings. As a result of the countermeasure plans, it can be achieved that the noise reduction of the air-compress is up to 10dB.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.875-885
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• 2023

This research delves into the evolving interplay between occupational diseases, work-related illnesses, and accidents in the construction industry, focusing on the past twenty years. One significant discovery is the 19-fold escalation in reported occupational diseases, prompting an examination of their root causes and connections to workplace environments. Frequently encountered work-related ailments include physically strenuous tasks, low back pain, and cerebrovascular issues, highlighting the need for robust prevention and management approaches. Predominantly, noise-induced hearing loss and pneumoconiosis are the most common occupational diseases. The study unveils notable correlations between specific work-related illnesses and accidents, indicating the necessity for bespoke safety measures. Additionally, a pronounced association between work-related illnesses and occupational diseases offers insights into underlying risk factors. Remarkably, the findings propose a bidirectional link between occupational diseases and accidents, challenging traditional beliefs about causality. These insights are pivotal for enhancing safety protocols, focusing on preventive measures, and foreseeing occupational diseases that may arise following accidents in the construction industry.

• 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.