Industrial Noise Pollution and Its Impact on the Hearing Capacity of Workers: A Case Study of Gujranwala City, Pakistan (original) (raw)
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Noise Induced Hearing Loss among Factory Workers of Dharan Industrial Area
Journal of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, 2019
Background: Hearing loss is the most common sensory loss accounting for 250 million population of world out of which 16% is attributed from occupational exposure to loud noise, ranging from 7% to 21% in different parts of the world. The prevalence of noise induced hearing loss is more common among factory workers than general population. There are limited reports regarding occupational noise from developing country like Nepal. Method: A cross sectional study was done in Dharan Industrial Area between February 2014 to May 2014. Twenty different industries operating inside the premises of industrial area were categorized into four major categories as per the nature and types, such as: Metal, Plastic, Food and Chemical based industries. Measurement of the sound was done in two phases. Pure tone audiometry of the exposed and non-exposed population was done. Results: Total 104 workers were included from 20 different factories; out of them 80 workers were exposed to loud noise and 24 were...
Madridge Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2016
Introduction: Excessive noise is an important health hazard at the present time. It can lead to auditory and extra-auditory effects which affect the welfare of individuals and groups exposed. We carried out this study to understand the prevalance of Noise Induced Hearing-Loss (NIHL) in workers of an automobile manufacturing unit in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: The study consisted of the following: 1. Determination of noise levels during different stages of work. 2. A questionnaire regarding subjective hearing loss of the workers; as well as their knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding excessive noise. 3. Tympanometry and Audiometry. 4. Health and safety survey. Two hundred and seventy two workers participated in the study and out of them 206 underwent audiometric evaluation. Results: The basic demographic, professional data and smoking habits of 272 workers participating in the study is as follows: 34.92% of workers belong to 41-50 years of age, 58.8% belong to Mohajir ethnic group, 19.1% were smoker/ex-smokers, 62% earned less than Rs 10,000/month, 87.5% received education for 0-10 years and 40% had work experience of 0-10 years. The majority of the workers were exposed to noise level higher than the safe limit of 85 dBA. According to the WHO criteria [1] 61% of the workers were suffering from hearing loss. Those who were suffering from hearing loss were further evaluated according to Cole's criteria for NIHL [2]. Of the total number of workers who underwent audiometry 25% fulfilled the Coles' criteria [2] for NIHL. The age, duration of exposure and severity of exposure were important determinants of NIHL. The workers had insufficient knowledge regarding prevention of NIHL. The personal protective equipments were used inadequately. There was no clinical follow up or monitoring of hearing among the workers. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for the government to take practical steps for making a policy and implement it so that occupational hearing loss can be prevented.
OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE AND HEARING EFFECT ON WORKERS IN EGYPTIAN FACTORIES
The present research studies noise of two different occupational areas in electro-production instruments factories participated in this cross-sectional study, where 54 workers were exposed to this noise. The study was divided into 2 parts with different noise exposure as follows: 1-Factory No. 1 (Metal factory), 2-Factory No. 2 (Metal factory). Measurements of major parameters were carried out in each factory, which included noise measurements such as: maximum and maximum peak sound pressure level (L Amax , L Apmax), minimum sound pressure levels (L Amin) and mean equivalent sound pressure levels for 8 h working day (L Aeq,8h), and threshold of hearing. On other hands, minor parameters of age, working years can be estimated. The following effects of the noise exposure levels were observed in different factories: The overall noise level and exposure to noise in factories No.1, No.2 was about 93.9, 90.4. Hearing threshold levels at test frequencies 0.5,1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz were obtained for both ears at different age years and different working years of workers at each factory. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1986) shows mild and moderate hearing loss at most of frequencies with different age group. The rate of hearing loss was particularly higher in among workers who reported longer years of working in most of factories. aWorkers showed significantly poorer hearing in the left ear in some factories. Workers did not use hearing protection devices (HPDs) at both factories. It concluded that noise pollution is emerging as an industrial problem, it is clear from the results of this investigation that the hazards of noise exposure in industries in many factories that cause hearing loss as in this study.
2020
This study was designed to evaluate the perceived effects from exposure to occupational noise pollution on hearing loss among cement factory workers in Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study, and 183 factory workers who were mainly males working at different departments in the factory, were sampled. A well designed and structured questionnaire was used to obtain personal and scientific information from the participants. The questionnaire was sectionalized into four major aspects. Background noise levels and that of the work environment was measured using calibrated Wensen WS 1361 type 2 digital sound level meter. Student t-test was used to analyse the test of association between hours at work and hearing loss; whereas the prediction of hearing loss was determined using a multinomial logistic regression model. All statistical significances were considered at p<0.05. The results revealed that a larger proportion of the participants...
THE EFFECT OF NOISE POLLUTION ON HEARING IN MARBLE FACTORY WORKERS OF AJMER, RAJASTHAN: A CASE STUDY
Introduction: The noise pollution is defined as the unwanted sound which is released into the environment. Noise induced hearing loss in an increasingly prevalent disorder that result from exposure to high intensity sound, especially over a long period of time.Materials& Methods: The present study has been conducted in the Department of Physiology and E.N.T. in a group of 60 subjects with 30 marble factory workers and 30 normal individuals.Results: Audiometric values were consistently lower in Normal than in marble factory workers. The differences were statistically significant among both sexes and that too for the parameters of Right and Left ear.Discussion and conclusion: In this study mild hearing loss was 20%, moderate hearing loss was 16.67%, moderately severe hearing loss was 36.67% and severe hearing loss 26.66%.This study also concludes that the presence of impact noise is more Hz to hearing irrespective of the duration of exposure but in workers exposed to continuous noise, the duration of exposure had a more prominent effect on the hearing loss. KEYWORDS: NIHL (Noise induced hearing loss). Pure tone audiometric testing.
Occupational Noise Pollution and Hearing protection in selected industries
The use of technology in industries is ever increasing. With the introduction of this technology come new safety and human performance concerns. Hearing loss caused by industrial noise has been recognized for many years, and protection of employee hearing has been made mandatory by governmental agencies. This paper presents an investigation of occupational noise exposure and Personal hearing protective devices (PHPD) in selected industries in the south-eastern Iran. A questionnaire has been used to collect data for workers with high noise exposure and Personal hearing protective devices (PHPD). The subjects were 354 industrial workers expose to noise pressure levels greater than the action level defined in Iranian legislation (85dB (A) 8h/d. The results of this study indicated that only younger workers with minor professional experience and with high educational background are used PHPD to protect and preserve their hearing. The finding of this study shows that approximately 75% of the workers with age 18-36 reported the use of personal protective Devices at all the time, and 73% of workers with age more than 46 years old reported that they had never used them PHPD, even though it was mandatory in their workplaces. Statistical data show that, the percentage of male workers (82) with age more than 37 years old having headaches at workplace are higher than female (3.4) with the same age groups. A noise training and education program must be developed for industrial employees in order to protect them from hazardous noise pollution. Employers must play an important role in promoting the regular use of Personal hearing protective devices. Noise level in work areas must be considered in the early design of Hearing Conservation Program.
Prevalence of occupational noise induced hearing loss in industrial workers
Indian Journal of Otology, 2014
Occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is a major cause of disability throughout the world. Occupational noise exposure is likely to contribute in very high proportion of cases of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in workers who are continuously exposed to high frequency noise being emitted from industrial machines. [1] Exposure to sound above a level of approximately 85 dB initially manifest as a temporary hearing loss or dullness of hearing that is known as temporary threshold shift (TTS), which may have fast resolution within first 10-15 days of the exposure. [2] However, a repeated or sustained exposure of noise to the hair cells and associated nerve fibers leads on to degenerative changes and the TTS becomes permanent threshold shift (PTS). The effect of excessive noise could be so devastating that it can cause permanent memory loss or psychiatric disorder. [3] With the rapid development of industries and automobiles the noise hazard is increasing by many folds. According to American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology excessive noise pollution can lead onto difficulty in communication, while at work and ringing sound in the ear for several hours even after work. [4] Further some noxious agents also affect the workers in the industries. It is identified among the textile plant workers, basic metal industries, chemical industries, beverages, and nonmetallic mineral product industries. [1-4] In this study, we conducted a survey of textile and metal rolling industries in our region to assess hearing loss in the industrial worker in relation to noise level, duration of exposure, age, and type of work in the factory. matErIal and mEthods This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of noise pollution at work place and different noise scale in two industries, that is, textile and hard strip rolling at Bhiwani (Haryana) India. This study was conducted in 100 male industrial workers in age group of 19-55 years, which includes office workers, machine operators, and helpers. All underwent ENT examination and
Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss of Workers in Two Plants in Eastern Saudi Arabia
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 2001
Objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss associated with occupational noise exposure and other risk factors. Design: A cross-sectional study involving 269 exposed and 99 non-exposed subjects (nonindustrial noise exposed subjects) randomly selected. Current noise exposure was estimated using both sound level meter and noise-dosimeter. Past noise exposure was estimated by interview questionnaire. Otoscopic examination and conventional frequency (0.25-8 kHz) audiometry were used to assess the hearing loss in each subject. Results: 75% (202 subjects) from the exposed group were exposed to a daily Leq above the permissible level of 85 dB(A) and most (61%) of these did not and had never used any form of hearing protecion. Hearing loss was found to be bilateral and symmetrical in both groups. Bivariate analysis showed a significant hearing loss in the exposed vs non-exposed subjects with a characteristic dip at 4 kHz. Thirty eight percent of exposed subjects had hearing impairment, which was an 8-fold higher rate than that found for non-exposed subjects. Multivariate analysis indicated exposure to noise was the primary, and age the secondary predictor of hearing loss. Odds of hearing impairment were lower for a small subgroup of exposed workers using hearing protection (N=19) in which logistic regression analysis showed the probability of workers adopting hearing protective devices increased with noise exposure, education, and awareness of noise control. Hearing loss was also greater amongst those who used headphones to listen to recorded cassettes. Conclusion: Gross occupational exposure to noise has been demonstrated to cause hearing loss and the authors believe that occupational hearing loss in Saudi Arabia is a widespread problem. Strategies of noise assessment and control are introduced which may help improve the work environment.
Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences
This research investigates the phenomenon of perception of people about industrial noise pollution and its effects on human health. Thirty-six (36) industries were selected for estimation of noise levels and its effects on human health. Concurrently, samples of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were also taken from nearby residential area, using random sampling method. The key tool of data collection was well-structured questionnaires consisting of twentyone questions. Chi-Square test was used for examination of data, which illustrated effects of industrial noise on people living in industrial zone. The noise level results indicated that the mean values were exceeding permissible environmental standard used in Pakistan. Majority of respondents (50.6 %) were conscious about the basic reason of noise pollution in study area. Eighty-two percent (82%) people have opinion that old technology was the basic cause for noise pollution. It was shocking to see the results which indicate that 99.8% people are suffering from noise related diseases. This include 81.3% with increase anger, 81.5% with ear ache, 16% with ear discharge, 79.3% with high blood pressure, 78% with depression, 77.3% temporary hearing loss, 9.3% permanent hearing loss. Only 23.3% of people conduct regular hearing test.
Noise Pollution and Its Impact on Health
Civil and Environmental Research, 2013
This paper aims at noise levels prediction at different locations inside the steel fabrication industry by some noise parameters i.e. equivalent noise levels, distance from sources at which a change in sound field occurs, intensity of sound, sound energy density & true sound level of different sources. Impact of industrial noise pollution on the health of workers by their personal interviews and the effect of industrial noise exposure on hearing capacity of workers by their clinical and audiometric examination.