Assessment of Noise Exposure and Noise Annoyance in a Steel Factory

Ibrahimi Ghavam Abadi, Leila; Fouladi Dehaghi*, Behzad; Mohammadi, Abbas; Mardi, Ghasem; Rahmati, Afshine

doi:https://doi.org/10.17795/jjhs-38430

Assessment of Noise Exposure and Noise Annoyance in a Steel Factory

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Leila Ibrahimi Ghavam Abadi ¹

Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi* ²

Abbas Mohammadi ³

Ghasem Mardi ³

Afshine Rahmati ³

¹ Department of Environmental Management, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, IR Iran

² Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran

³ Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran

https://doi.org/10.17795/jjhs-38430

Abstract

Background:
Noise pollution is one of the most important risk factors in industrial settings. This study aimed to assess noise exposure and noise-induced annoyance among workers of a steel factory.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 healthy male participants (33 office employees and 37 production line workers) in a steel plant.
Results:
The results showed that 24.24% of employees in office areas and 54% of blue-collar workers had high noise annoyance. Also, noise levels in two parts of steel factory and percentage of responds by participants that felt highly annoyed showed a significant relationship (P < 0.05). Feeling of discomfort was a major complaint that was stated by office employees (%59) and blue-collar workers (%38).
Conclusions:
The findings of this investigation have clearly revealed that employees in both parts of steel factory are annoyed by noise. A higher noise level resulted in higher noise annoyance in the exposed workers. The need for implementing noise conservation program was established.
Keywords:Noise Exposure,Noise Annoyance,Steel Plant,Worker

Keywords

Noise Exposure

Noise Annoyance

Steel Plant

Worker