Occupational noise exposures among three farm families in Northwest Ohio

A pilot project was conducted to evaluate occupational noise exposures of three families living and working on farms in Northwest Ohio. Noise exposures were measured continuously for 7 consecutive days for each participant for 1 week each during planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. The dosimet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of agromedicine 2008, Vol.13 (3), p.165-174
Main Authors: Milz, Sheryl A, Wilkins, J.R. III, Ames, April L, Witherspoon, Melisa K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
agricultural health and safety
Agriculture
data collection
Environmental Monitoring
Family health
Female
Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced - prevention & control
Humans
Male
Maximum Allowable Concentration
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.)
noise
noise exposures
noise pollution
Noise, Occupational - statistics & numerical data
occupational exposure
Occupational Exposure - prevention & control
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
occupational health and safety
Ohio
Pilot Projects
Risk Factors
Seasons
sounds
surveys
United States
United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Vibration - adverse effects
Young Adult
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Summary:A pilot project was conducted to evaluate occupational noise exposures of three families living and working on farms in Northwest Ohio. Noise exposures were measured continuously for 7 consecutive days for each participant for 1 week each during planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. The dosimeters were programmed to evaluate noise exposures using both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) action level and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) guidelines. One family was evaluated per year and a total of nine family members (six adults and three children) participated. Adult noise exposures for on-farm activities (occupational exposures) ranged from 46.1 to 89.6 decibels on the A-weighted scale (dBA) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (8HR TWA) using the OSHA action level and from 62.6 to 92.1 dBA 8HR TWA using the NIOSH/ACGIH guidelines. Occupational noise exposures for the children ranged from 15.4 to 81.2 dBA 8HR TWA using the OSHA action level and from 42.4 to 85.5 dBA 8HR TWA using the NIOSH/ACGIH guidelines. Six of 45 exposures among the adults and none of the 11 exposures among the children exceeded the OSHA action level. In addition, 10 of 45 exposures among the adults and 1 of 11 exposures among the children exceeded the NIOSH/ACGIH guidelines. The results of this pilot project indicate noise exposures among farm families can exceed recommended levels.
ISSN:1059-924X
1545-0813
DOI:10.1080/10599240802406049