Evaluation of Individual and Environmental Sound Pressure Level and Drawing Noise-Isosonic Maps Using Surfer V.14 and Noise at Work V.5.0

Noise pollution is one of the common physical harmful factors in many work environments.The current study aimed to assess personal and environmental sound pressure level and project the sound-Isosonic map in one of the Razavi Khorasan Paste manufacture using Surfer V.14 and Noise at work V.5.0.This cross-sectional,descrip-tive study is analytical that was conducted in 2018 in the Paste factory that contains Canister,production and Brewing unit.Following ISO 9612:2009,Casella Cel-320 was used to measure personal sound pressure level,while CEL-450 sound level meter(manufactured by Casella-Cel,the UK)was employed to assess environmental sound pressure level.Statistical analyzes was done using SPSS V.18 and Linear Regression test.The sound-isosonic maps were projected using Surfer V.14 and Noise at work V.5.0.The results of assessing personal sound pressure level indicated that the highest received dose(172.21%)and personal equivalent sound level(87.36 dBA)were recorded for workers in the Canister unit.According to results of measuring of the environmental sound pressure level,out of 16 measurement stations in this unit,overall 87.5%were regarded as danger and caution areas.The lowest and highest sound pressure levels in this units were 61 dBA and 92 dBA that belong to Brewing and Canister units respectively.Results indicate Over 75%of the Canister and production units had a sound pressure level greater than 85 dBA and these two units were regarded as the most dangerous area in terms of noise pollution.It is there-fore necessary to implement noise control measures,apply hearing protection program and auditory tests among workers in these units.

Influence of the environmental noise on determining the period of a torsion pendulum

The environmental noise can restrict the accuracy of period estimation since the torsion pendulum is sensitive to weak forces. Two typical models for the environmental noise are proposed to make an evaluation. Generally, the stationary environmental noise is modeled as a white noise, and contributes to the period uncertainty as a function of the initial amplitude, the quality factor, the variance of noise and the time length. As to a sudden sharp disturbance acting on the pendulum, a narrow impulse model is constructed. It results in a sharp jump in the phase difference, which can be excluded with the 3σ criterion for a correction. An experimental data analysis for the measurement of the gravitational constant G with the time-of-swing method shows that the period uncertainty due to the environmental noise is about one and a half times the fundamental thermal noise limit. Though this result is dependent on the ambient environment, the analysis is instructive to improve the measurement accuracy of experiments.

Processing and Unification of Environmental Noise Data from Road Traffic with Spatial Dimension Collected through Mobile Phones

Noise measurement using mobile phones is now developed very well. While there are some good applications for the measurement of noise from road traffic, thus on processing of measured data is only paid a very little attention. The data, however, are burdened by specific errors and for further work with them it is necessary to adjust and determine their uncertainty. One of the biggest problems is inaccuracy in position versus the noise source and the shortest length of measurement that can be regarded as representative. Imprecision in terms of location can be determined by calculating the variance of possible distance from the noise source, which for measurement of traffic noise requires a map-matching data points both transverse to the street (sidewalk) network and in the longwise direction. During typical urban measurements, this error can even reach 7 - 10 dB. Three basic types of algorithms for the calculation of uncertainty and positional correction based on the type of input and output data (raster, vector, vector-oriented) were tested. Uncertainty in the variability of the measurement data is necessary to determine from the number of passing vehicles per time unit. The presented solutions are implemented in the Mobile Noise system.

Based on the Characteristics of Respondents and the Voice of the Urban Neighborhood Public Space Business Facilities Noise Environment Evaluation Research

Comfort is one of the important indicators evaluation of voice. In order to understand the urban neighborhood public space environment of comfort,this paper is to explore characteristics of consumer society on the public space environment evaluation of the effect,and using the questionnaire survey method,to evaluate the Harbin city neighborhood area public space as the typical case analysis. Based on one of the main sound source in neighborhood public space,environment,business facilities environment as the breakthrough point,it is to consider neighborhood public space environment evaluation and social characteristics.

The influence of observation environment on background noise level of gPhone gravimeter

Based on the observations of 36 gPhone gravimeters in 2015, the background noise levels in the seismic frequency band（200-600 s） and sub-seismic band（1-6 h） are calculated. The differences in the PSD（power spectrum density） of each band of gPhone gravimetric gauges in different surrounding environments were analyzed and compared with Peterson＇s NLNM（new low-noise model） which is derived from the envelope at the power spectrum density of 75 seismograph stations around the world. The results showed that： the influence of station type on the noise magnitude of gPhone gravimeter is very small; The seismic band noise magnitude（hereinafter referred to as SNM） and the sub-seismic band noise magnitude（hereinafter referred to as SSNM） in the coastal gPhone gravimeter are higher than those of inland stations. Although the local hydrological change has a great influence on the gravity observation, the rainfall is not directly relative to the noise magnitude of the instrument. Except 3 coastal stations, the eight stations which had the highest amplitudes in the SNM were located near the seismic belt. This indicates that the SNM of the gPhone Gravimeter may reflect some seismic information.Compared with the NLNM model, the PSD of the gPhone gravimeter is lower than the NLNM model in the long period band（〈3×10^（-5）Hz）, indicating that the gPhone gravimeter is more suitable for detecting long-period signals（〉10 h） than the seismometer.

Noise Exposure Levels in Basic School Environments in a City in Ghana

Basic schools that are located in heavily populated residential and commercial areas in Ghana are exposed to environmental noise that can have detrimental effects on the academic attainments of children. Limited studies have been conducted on noise level in basic schools to date in Ghana. The objective of the study was to assess noise levels in and around learning spaces in basic schools in Ghana with a focus on Kumasi. A survey employing the use of interviews and an empirical monitoring of noise levels in and around learning spaces in four selected basic schools were adopted. The study revealed that mean outdoor and indoor noise levels exceed the World Health Organisation permissible limits by 30 - 40 percent and 90 - 107 percent respectively for schools in the commercial zones and schools that are located near highways. The school that is sited in an educational environment with a setback from the highway attained mean noise levels ranging from 1.2 percent below to 3.7 percent above the permissible limits for outdoor and between 64 - 105 percent for indoor. The outcome of the study is expected to engender the design of environmental noise resilient buildings to facilitate teaching and learning in basic schools in Ghana.

Diffusion dynamics in external noise-activated non-equilibrium open system-reservoir coupling environment

The diffusion process in an external noise-activated non-equilibrium open system–reservoir coupling environment is studied by analytically solving the generalized Langevin equation. The dynamical property of the system near the barrier top is investigated in detail by numerically calculating the quantities such as mean diffusion path, invariance, barrier passing probability, and so on. It is found that, comparing with the unfavorable effect of internal fluctuations, the external noise activation is sometimes beneficial to the diffusion process. An optimal strength of external activation or correlation time of the internal fluctuation is expected for the diffusing particle to have a maximal probability to escape from the potential well.

Simulation Evaluation of Outdoor Noise Environment in Buildings

Green campus design has become an essential strategy to enhance campus life and learning.However,noise pol-lution remains a troubling aspect that impacts teaching and learning processes,even causing harm to the health of students and teachers.Therefore,acoustic environment quality design is crucial.This article focuses on the expansion project of a school campus in Shenzhen.We simulated and analyzed the outdoor noise environment separately for the proposed teach-ing building,as well as the existing buildings like the dining hall,teaching building,and laboratory building.The results showed that the proposed teaching building was mainly affected by surrounding noise,with the worst outdoor noise being in classrooms adjacent to the teaching building in the south and the basketball court at the west of the classroom,with maximum noise values reaching 73 dB and 66 dB,respectively.In the future,these rooms should be renovated to achieve an excellent indoor soundproof environment.

Research on Aircraft Noise Evaluation System

The evaluation system of aircraft noise and environment noise should be integrated, because aircraft noise belongs to environment noise. At the same time, there should be some difference in the evaluation system of aircraft noise. For solving this contradiction, this article puts forward a new evaluation system of aircraft noise. This new system unifies the evaluation of aircraft noise and other environment noise effectively, and adds a new evaluation index single event noise exposure level. The system not only considers the characteristics of aircraft noise, which is different from other traffic noise, but also adds aircraft noise to other traffic noise, which can reflect sound environment around airport really. This system has practical worthiness and theory significance.

Short Form of Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale(NSS-SF): Reliability, Validity and Gender Invariance among Chinese Individuals

Objective Independent from noise exposure, noise sensitivity plays a pivotal role in people＇s noise annoyance perception and concomitant health deteriorations. The present study empirically investigated the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale-Short Form （CNSS-SF）, the widely used inventory measuring individual differences in noise perception.Methods In total, 373 Chinese participants （age = 21.41 ± 3.36） completed the online, anonymous questionnaire package. Examination of the CNSS-SF＇s reliability （internal consistency）, factorial validity through validation and cross-validation, nomological validity and measurement invariance across gender groups were undertaken.Results The Cronbach alpha coefficients and composite reliabilities indicated sufficient reliability of the CNSS-SF. Two confirmatory factor analyses （CFA）, in two randomly partitioned groups of participants, substantiated the factorial validity of the scale. The nomological validity of the scale was also corroborated by the significant positive association of its score with the trait anxiety score. Measurement invariance of the CNSS-SF was also found across genders via multi-group CFA.Conclusion Though not without limitations, findings from the present research provide promising evidence for the utility of the scale in measuring noise sensitivity among the Chinese population. The availability of the CNSS-SF can promote research related to environmental noise and health in China, as well as facilitate cross-cultural comparisons.

The main projects and development status of noise forecasting and controlling on working face in coal mine

Noise from the machine on coal working face seriously influenced the miners' physical and mental health, and also, due to the noise, there may be a major hidden danger in safety from accidents as all safety warning signals may be masked by the noise. This paper summarized the features of mine environmental noise on working face, such as the variety of noise sources, the continuity of high intensity and slow attenuation in narrow space, etc.The main projects about noise forecasting and controlling on working face was emphatically expounded;the development status about mines machinery noise mechanism and environmental noise acoustic characteristics of space-time of these main research topics were also introduced.

A Study on the Correlation of Physiological and Psychological Health Hazards in Human Habitats with Seismicity, Mountain Air Turbulence and Environmental Infrasound

A statistical correlation study on the basis of published data has been performed in order to find whether an abnormal degree of human physiological ailments and a psychology of sustained violent reactions in highly populated habitats are correlated with environmental infrasound emissions related to seismic activity and sustained by mountain air turbulence. The study focus is on Latitude 34° North coinciding with boundaries of colliding Tectonic Plates in three continents. Earthquakes, rock fractures and landslides in these regions are creating geoacoustic activity in the form of hotspots of infrasound emissions. Sources of infrasound have been located by global infrasound monitoring stations. One single earthquake can cause multiple infrasound sources in a region. Low frequency “infrasound” creates an environment of unseen and inaudible energies that are hazardous to the local population. In one region on 34°N latitude the percentage of population with hearing disabilities increases or decreases almost directly proportional to frequency of earthquakes. In this region, the casualties due to social disorder and violence increased as the frequency of earthquake events increased and decreased as this frequency decreased. Comprehensive public health studies bring out that a sizable percentage of the regional population remain in a constant state of irritation, annoyance and anger;and suffer many other psychosomatic ailments corresponding to exposure to infrasound in 5 - 16 Hz frequencies and 120 - 140 dB amplitude. A new natural hazard inimical to life on planet earth has thus been identified. The time has arrived for public health authorities to locally pinpoint infrasound hotspots by scientific measurements. Thereafter new technologies can be developed to actively, and passively, mitigate/cancel these hazardous environmental emissions of infrasound and a Public Health Security Systems put in place as sustainable solutions for a healthy, livable habitat.

Environmental health perspectives for low- and middle-income countries

In recent decades, the ecological environment has been increasingly challenged by the development of global industrialization and urbanization all over the world, even as global attention for health has raised dramatically. Common global environmental issues, such as air pollution and noise pollution, are associated with lasting impacts on health and contribute significantly to the overall burden of disease. Moreover, a global disparity exists between the burden of such environmental health issues and the global resources available to address this issue. To alleviate the environmental health impacts and ensure a sustainable future for human beings, China has made an important contribution to improving access to ecological protection, environmental governance, patriotic health campaigns, smart city construction, and so on. Experiences gained in China may be useful for some other countries, particularly the low- and middle-income countries with limited sources.

The 1/f noise in multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The 1/f noise in multiwalled carbon nanotubes bundles has been investigated between the frequency range of 0.1 to 30 Hz. At room temperature the noise spectrum is standard 1/f, and its level is proportional to the square of the bias voltage. With decreasing temperature the noise level also decreases. At 4.2 K the noise level follows a non-monotonic dependence against the bias voltage, showing a peak at a certain bias voltage, meanwhile its frequency dependence also deviates from the 1/f trend. This anomalous behaviour is discussed within the picture of environmental quantum fluctuation of charge transport in the samples.

Synchronization in a Mutualism Ecosystem Induced by Noise Correlation

Understanding the cause of the synchronization of population evolution is an important issue for ecologicalimprovement.Here we present a Lotka-Volterra-type model driven by two correlated environmental noises and show,via theoretical analysis and direct simulation,that noise correlation can induce a synchronization of the mutualists.Thetime series of mutual species exhibit a chaotic-like fluctuation,which is independent of the noise correlation,however,the chaotic fluctuation of mutual species ratio decreases with the noise correlation.A quantitative parameter defined forcharacterizing chaotic fluctuation provides a good approach to measure when the complete synchronization happens.

Aviation environmental technology and science

Expatiating on the impact of aviation on the environment and aviation environmental protection projects are expounded, and analyzing on the atmosphere pollution and effects on the aviation noise of aircraft discharge. Researching the approach to control aircraft exhaust pollution and noise pollution, and proposing the technology and management measures to reduce air pollution.

Examining Modifications of the Noise Generated by Nurses’ Footsteps and the Use of Pass-By Objects: A Pilot Study

A lot of sound can be heard in a hospital. The Ministry of Environment recommends that noise be kept below 50 dBA during the day and below 40 dBA at night to maintain a calm environment inside a medical facility. However, the noise in general wards typically exceeds these standards;therefore, it is necessary to adjust these sounds to foster patients’ recuperation. We examined whether the noise generated by nurses in a simulated ward changes with walking speed and the presence or absence of luggage. Sounds generated by nurses include footsteps and pass-by sound from objects (e.g., wagon, stretchers, wheelchairs, bedside tables, overhead tables, beds, IV poles.). Walking speed was classified into three types: slow (0.5 m/s), normal (1 m/s), and fast (2 m/s). Sound (dBA) was measured by measuring the pass-by sound generated when moving in a straight distance (four meters) in the corridor of a simulated ward. Objects were also compared for their pass-by sound generated with and without a load. Results revealed that normal and fast walking speeds generated louder sounds than did the slow speed (the volume of slow, normal, and fast speeds were 37.0 dBA, 39.3 dBA, and 38.7 dBA, respectively). The pass-by sound of objects increased in volume in proportion to nurses’ walking speed. The pass-by sound of wagons and stretchers was significantly lower when they had (vs. did not have) a load;however, the reverse was true for wheelchairs carrying patient dummies. The sound of footsteps did not change per walking speed. Decreasing walking speed may thus lead to noise modification. Nurses’ awareness of adjusting their walking speed per object use may prevent noise pollution. This study was conducted to obtain basic data regarding the wards’ sound environment. Future studies should consider the occurrence of the sound in clinical settings.

Noise Action Plans for the Acoustic Protection of Urban Areas around the Athens International Airport （A.I.A.） Strategic Noise Maps 2006 ＆ 2011

Athens International Airport ＂Eleftherios Venizelos＂ （AIA） is considered a pioneer international Public-Private Partnership, being the first major int. airport constructed with the participation of the private sector with the BOOT method （Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer）. AIA＇s 1st day of operation was in March 2001 and the aircraft traffic on 2006 reached 191.000 movements ＆ 15.1 million passengers. According to the European Directive 49/2002 and the Joint Ministerial Decision 13586/724-28/3/06, Athens International Airport （AIA） is included in the category of＂large airports＂ and it consequently comes under the authority of the above mentioned legislation on the evaluation and management of environmental noise. A complete Study on Aircraft Noise [1], according to the European Directive 49/2002 [2] and Joint Ministerial Decision 13586/724-28/3/06 was undertaken under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, Energy ＆ Climate Change, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, and AIA S.A. In this article the following results are presented： （1） The 2006 Strategic Noise Map （SNM） of both indicators Lden and Lnight based on the ECAC.CEAC Doc 29 methodology ＂Report on Standard Method of Computing Noise Contours around Civil Airports＂, 1997 [3], （2） A statistical analysis of predicted vs measured noise levels based on the existing Noise Monitoring System, （3） Effects from the removal of marginally accepted chapter 3 aircraft, （4） A complete evaluation of results regarding calculation of area/land uses and number of individuals living in residences inside blocks exposed in various levels of noise, and （5） A full evaluation of Noise Action Plans （NAP） regrouping existing and foreseen actions FOR 2006 ＆ 2011 scenarios, especially regarding among others, noise abatement procedures, a comprehensive noise insulation legal framework.

The Concept of Using the Strategic Noise Maps inPlanning of Urban Space in Poland

In the territory of Poland the manner of urban space management is defined by a planning document called LLUP （local land use plan）. When analyzing the development process of Polish cities, an obvious conclusion emerges about the lack of complex studies and researches of the environment concerning the issue of acoustic climate. The procedures of development of local land use plan involve merely a general diagnosis of an environment excluding measured values of pollution, including noise levels. The main aim of this article is to introduce the issue of the influence that acoustic climate has on the urban space planning with the application of SNM （strategic noise mapping）. The map enables holistic assessment of the degree to which urban areas are exposed to noise, determines its sources and forecasts variations of its levels. Preliminary research results confirmed the necessity of including noise level influence in the procedures related to urban space planning especially concerning its forecasted levels resulting from estimates of local land use plans. Applying SNM in verification of conceptual space arrangements in terms of protection against noise in the preparation of LLUP as well as their further application in the plan is a considerable advantage.

Analysis of Road Traffic Noise Pollution around a University in Binzhou

The number of automobiles in the urban area of Binzhou City continues to increase,and traffic noise pollution is increasingly serious. In this study,noise pollution on Huanghe 5 Road near the south gate of Binzhou University was monitored. The results showed that the road noise pollution on Huanghe 5 Road was relatively serious on the whole,especially in the peak periods of traffic flow in the morning and afternoon,because the increase in the number of pedestrians brought inconvenience to traffic,thereby resulting in an increase in car whistle.