[COMMED] 3 - Noise Pollution

Sound

Sensory perception. A perception of vibration. Form of energy which is emitted by a vibrating body. Causes the sensation of hearing through nerves on reaching the ear

Noise

Unwanted sound. Something you do not want to hear which causes discomfort and irritability. The most common occupational and environmental health hazard

Source to receiver

Noise is transmitted from the _____ to the _____

Transmission Path

The atmosphere through which the sound is propagated. Can also include the structural materials of the building containing the receiver

Occupational Noise

Noise in the industrial workplace (machineries, factories, etc)

Environmental/Community Noise

Noise in all other settings except work at the industrial workplace (community, residential, or domestic level)

Decibel

Unit used to measure the intensity of a sound

Sound level meter

Sound is measured with an instrument called a

70 dB

For most people, lifetime continuous exposure to an environmental average noise level of __ dB will not cause hearing impairment

85 dB

Sounds that are more than __ dB are harmful

Noise Pollution

A lot of noise in the environment

Hearing Impairment

Usually gradual. Irreversible. Increases in severity with continued exposure. Occurs predominantly at higher frequencies. Caused by prolonged exposure to high-intensity noise. The affected person will not notice changes in hearing ability until a large threshold shift has occurred

Conductive, Sensorineural, Mixed

What are the 3 types of hearing loss?

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Second most common form of sensorineural hearing deficit. Caused by prolonged exposure to high-intensity noise. Loud noise damages fine hair cells in the inner ear

Audiometry

For this test, you wear earphones attached to the audiometer. Pure tones of controlled intensity are delivered to one ear at a time. The minimum intensity (volume) required to hear each tone is graphed

Elimination and Substitution

The process of removing hazards from the environment through elimination or substitution with less hazardous ones, respectively

Engineering Control

Designs or modifications to plants, equipments, ventilation system, and processed is done to reduce the source of exposure

Administrative Control

Altering the way the work is done, including timing of work, policies and other rules, and practices based on the standard operating procedures

Personal Protective Equipment

Worn to reduce exposure to noise

Targeting the Source

Control the noise source → control the noise propagation → control the noise at the individual level

Targeting the Transmission Path

If noise cannot be controlled to an unacceptable level of the source, attempts should then be made to control it at some point during its propagation path

Targeting the Receiver

As a last resort or as a complement to the environmental measures, the noise control problem may be approached at the level of the receiver

Presidential Decree No. 856, S. 1975 (Code on Sanitation)

Control measures shall be provided to reduce intensity of noise sufficiently to render it harmless to workers and to eliminate it at its source as nuisance by following the recommendations of local health or other government authority.

Presidential Decree No. 1152, S. 1977 (Philippine Environmental Code)

Seeks to establish community noise standards and standards for noise-producing equipment

Community Noise Standards

Appropriate standards for community noise levels shall be established considering, among others, location, zoning, and land use pollution

Senate Bill No. 447 (Noise Pollution Control and Abatement Act)

Regulate noise pollution by creating the Noise Pollution Control Board (NPCB). Shall formulate and implement the policies and programs on noise pollution control. Also prescribes the standards and criteria in determining any violations on noise pollution and its corresponding penalties