Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Traffic noise – Health aspects'

The magnitude of noise pollution is fast-growing worldwide. Environmental noise has been linked with several non-auditory health impacts, including annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular diseases and impaired cognitive performance. Also, environmental noise exposure is associated with increased reported psychological symptoms, prolonged healing time of patients and poorer performance of staff in hospitals. Hong Kong has been suffering from environmental noise for years, especially transportation noise, but lack of relevant local studies to support public health intervention. This review is attempted to summarize three governmental study reports and overseas studies on the relationship between noise and non-auditory effects. Also data on noise complaints will be briefly analysed as a supplement. It is ascertained that noise pollution and noise-induced annoyance and sleep disturbance are prevalent in Hong Kong. Also, noise mapping and subjective auditory effect scales are already available. Noise complaint level in Hong Kong is generally lower than levels in London and New York City, but is probably underestimated. Future studies are needed to emphasize on noise exposure in particular areas and vulnerable populations
published_or_final_version
Public Health
Master
Master of Public Health

As you probably know, to board the B777-300ERi in Geneva for Anchorage via London, is not just that simple. With your ticket you bought several days before, you come to the airport, check in, pay airport's fees, go through the customs and security checks, walk in the terminal following signs, maybe you stop in the duty free shops, and finally find your gate. By this time, you are ready to board, about one hour after you enter the airport.
We will be essentially interested in air law that is why, the purpose of this master's thesis is to consider the legal aspect of facilitation in civil aviation. The term facilitation refers to the process that passengers, crew, luggage, cargo and mail have to go through when they cross borders to fly from a point A to a point B.
Recently, an aspect of facilitation took an outstanding importance: health issues. At the end of last year, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak was a real threat to international civil aviation because passengers (and crews) could have been exposed to an infected person inside the terminal or on board the plane, also, aircrafts were considered a fast vector of this disease through the world. The economic consequences for airlines and airports were very painful.
iBoeing 777-300 Extended Range.

Traffic-related air pollution harms health, so whilst it would be advantageous to improve air quality, the socioeconomic impact of air pollution mitigation in Scotland is not fully understood. Evidence from research literature, current regulatory and policy directives and a socioeconomic analysis are required to assess the true health impact. This thesis presents the first health and socioeconomic analysis of traffic-related air pollution and health for Scotland. A critique of the literature was undertaken to determine the evidence base and the strength of evidence in terms of association and causation, between air pollution and ill health. The evidence was subsequently applied in epidemiological studies of Scottish residents, to assess the actual impact on health in Scotland. The perception of barriers and incentives for change were investigated to understand behavioural influences. Recent policy development in Scotland was reviewed, and a socioeconomic analysis of a proposed air pollution strategy in Scotland, was undertaken. The evidence from 30 cohort studies and nine literature reviews demonstrated a link between poor air quality, mortality and respiratory ill health, but the results for other health conditions were inconsistent. The links were associative rather than causal and therefore might be attributable to other factors other than air pollution. Furthermore, epidemiological studies on Scottish populations did not show health effects from traffic-related air pollution. The socioeconomic analysis suggested that an initial investment of between £27m and £44m to introduce Low Emission Zones (LEZ), and an effective active travel programme, might result in a saving of £38m in terms of Years of Life Lost (YLL) and reduction in sickness absence. It is unlikely that the Clean Air For Scotland Strategy will deliver improved air quality and health without substantial investment, better alignment of planning, and a greater public engagement to support public and active transport options.

Objectives : To investigate the impacts of traffic related air pollution (TRAP) on children’s respiratory health, and to investigate the policies and regulations implemented in other countries and the suggestions from the World Health Organization (WHO) to tackle this problem. Methods and Results: Using relevant keywords, 122 articles were acquired from PubMed and 15 were from MEDLINE via EBSCO host respectively. The articles were published between 1980 to 2013; all of which had examined the impacts of TRAP on children’s respiratory health. After assessing inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 articles were finally included in this systematic review. Differences in demographic characteristics were studied and compared to determine the association between TRAP exposure and respiratory health impacts on children aged between 1 and 18. Four cross-section surveys and five cohort studies were selected in this review. The association between TRAP exposure and differences in children’s respiratory impacts were demonstrated in all studies. Multiple outcome measures were used to examine changes of children’s respiratory health such as the decline in lung function, incidences of asthma and inflammatory responses. There were 4 out of 9 articles suggesting the decline in lung function was related to TRAP exposure; 5 out of 9 articles showed the relationships between incidences of asthma and inflammatory responses and TRAP exposure and 2 articles mentioned other respiratory symptoms; notably, wheezing and sneezing, runny and stuffed nose. This review finally summarized the results of selected articles stressing that children who lived close to roadway within a 500 meter radius from home, with an early exposure to air pollution in the first year of age and a frequent exposure to heavy road traffic and outdoor air pollutants would experience greater impacts on respiratory health. Conclusion: The positive association between the impacts on children’s respiratory health and TRAP exposure has been determined through this systematic review. Stricter emission control strategies and updated guidelines are required to regulate traffic emission and improve air quality in order to reduce harm and provide a better living environment for our next generations.
published_or_final_version
Public Health
Master
Master of Public Health

Objective To investigate whether traffic pollutants have any effect on human cognitive functions and behavior by performing a systematic review on existing research studies. Methods Research articles were identified through four databases – CINAHL Plus, Academic Search Premier and MEDLINE via EBSCOhost and Pubmed using the online electronic resources of the libraries of the Hong Kong University. A total of 119 articles from Pubmed and 86 articles from EBSCOhost were identified, and 72 and 64 studies after limits were applied. The studies used a variety of measures to assess the effects of traffic-related air pollution and cognitive functions and behaviors in both children and adults. Results There were 19 articles in total in the systematic review – 13 on children (aged from 1- 17 years) and six on adults (aged from 26 - 83.5 years). Data were employed from nine different countries. Although there were some discrepancies in the results, there was evidence of the effects of traffic-related air pollution on the brain. Conclusions The causal relationship between traffic-related air pollution and cognitive decline cannot be clearly determined. The systematic review however, generated evidence to support the hypothesis that traffic-related air pollution may affect cognitive development in children, increase risks of behavioral disorders in both children and adults, and increase the rate of cognitive decline in older adults. As a result, this systematic review suggests that the research findings have important implications in the development of public health policy and practice.
published_or_final_version
Public Health
Master
Master of Public Health

Background Epidemiological studies have shown that air pollution was associated with both mortality and morbidity of various diseases including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and cancers. However, the various traffic-related exposure indicators are difficult to compare due to the diversity of study areas, populations, measures of traffic exposures and confounders. Moreover, most of the studies were conducted in the western and European countries. Few studies using the traffic density as surrogate of traffic-related exposure for effects on mortality risk have been performed in Asia and none has been performed in Hong Kong. Objective This study aims to assess the association between the traffic-related exposure and the all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk in the densely populated city of Hong Kong, where traffic emission plays an important role on the ambient air quality. Methods Three traffic-related indicators were employed including: Road Density (RD) in terms of total length of roads divided by Tertiary Planning Unit (TPU) area; Traffic Density (TD) defined by road lengths times the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) and divided by the TPU area; and Vehicle Density (VD) means average AADT over TPU area. Each exposure was divided into three groups according to tertiles. An ecological study was conducted first with population census and mortality data. The age-sex standardized all-cause and cause-specific mortality rate was calculated for each TPU with the whole Hong Kong death rate in 2010 as the standard. Poisson regression models were performed to estimate risks of traffic-related exposure with adjustment of the marital status, race, education, housing tenure, and median household income. After the TPU-level analyses, a cohort with 64,888 elderly subjects being followed up from 1998 to 2012 was used to assess the association with further control for the individual-level factors including age, sex, education, income, housing, and smoking. The Multilevel Cox proportional regression models were built with adjustment for both the individual level confounders and TPU-level covariates. Excess risks from both models were reported. Results Higher exposure areas were found in the northern part of Hong Kong Islands and the inner city of Kowloon peninsula. Statistically significant association between traffic-related exposure and mortality was observed. For the investigation in the general population, the all-nonaccidental cause mortality was associated with 43% (95% confidence interval 37-48%) and 50% (44-56%) excess risk for areas with the middle and high level TD exposure compared with the low level group. The association was similar with measures of RD and VD. For the cause-specific mortality, the respiratory deaths showed a higher risk when compared with the cardiovascular and cancer deaths. For the elderly subjects, the excess risk of all-nonaccidental causes relative to the low level exposure of 13% (1-26%) and 12% (0-25%) for the middle and high level exposure were smaller when compared with the risk in the general population. Conclusion There is an association between traffic-related exposure and mortality in the general and older population of Hong Kong. In future comprehensive investigations with the individual-level exposure measure are needed. Assessment on the younger population should also be studied.
published_or_final_version
Public Health
Master
Master of Philosophy

While bicyclists and other active travelers obtain health benefits from increased physical activity, they also risk uptake of traffic-related air pollution. But pollution uptake by urban bicyclists is not well understood due to a lack of direct measurements and insufficient analysis of the determinants of exposure and ventilation (breathing). This knowledge gap impedes pollution-conscious transportation planning, design, and health impact assessment. The research presented in this dissertation generates new connections between transportation system characteristics and pollution uptake by bicyclists. The primary research questions are: 1) how do urban bicyclists' intake and uptake of air pollution vary with roadway and travel characteristics and 2) to what extent can transportation-related strategies reduce uptake. Breath biomarkers are used to measure absorbed doses of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This research is the first application of breath biomarkers to travelers and the first uptake measurements of any pollutant to include roadway-level covariates. Novel methods to collect and integrate bicycle, rider, traffic, and environmental data are also introduced. Bicyclist exposure concentrations, exhaled breath concentrations, respiratory physiology, and travel characteristics were collected on a wide range of facilities in Portland, Oregon. High-resolution trajectory and pollution data were then integrated with roadway and traffic data. Models of exposure, ventilation, and uptake of VOCs were estimated from the on-road data. Important new quantifications in the models include the effects of average daily traffic (ADT) on multi-pollutant exposure, the lagged effect of on-road workload on ventilation, and the effects of exposure and ventilation on absorbed VOCs. Estimated models are applied to situations of interest to travelers and transportation professionals. Sample applications include the inhalation dose effects of road grade, cruising speed choice, stops, and detouring to parallel low-traffic facilities. In addition, dose-minimizing routing behavior is compared with revealed routing preferences in the literature. Finally, findings from this research and the literature are distilled so that they can be incorporated into bicycle network design guidelines.

The development of major commercial airports promotes the air transport industry and generates positive economic benefits to the airport and to its host economy. However, external costs are associated with these benefits. Any increase in aircraft movement causes negative environmental impacts, especially noise pollution. Governments have reduced aircraft noise levels at their sources, or introduced aircraft noise management strategies (ANMS); however the problems have never been satisfactorily resolved. This research aims at developing a better understanding of the impacts of aircraft noise on community health and well-being by exploring two core research questions: (1) ???Is health related quality of life worse in communities chronically exposed to aircraft noise than in communities not exposed????; and (2) ???Does long-term aircraft noise exposure associate with adult high blood pressure level via noise stress as a mediating factor????. The Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport has been selected as a case study. The health survey instruments have been developed and piloted, and then translated from English into Greek and Arabic. A postal self-administrative health survey (with follow-up letters) has been implemented in the areas surrounding Sydney Airport (called ???aircraft noise exposure group???) and in the matched control group. The total sample size was 1,500 with 47% response rate. This thesis has developed a ???new??? noise index (named Noise Gap Index, NGI) to describe and assess aircraft noise in such a way that is easily understood by the layperson. Factorial analysis of covariance revealed that ???Health related quality of life, in term of physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health, of community chronically exposed to high aircraft noise level were worse than the matched control area???. Binary logistic regression analysis found that ???Subjects (aged 15 ??? 87) who have been chronically exposed to high aircraft noise level have the odds of 2.61 of having chronic noise stress. In addition person who have chronic noise stress have the odds of 2.74 of having hypertension compared with those without chronic noise stress???. Finally, the robust hypotheses of effects of aircraft noise on community health and well-being for future experimental study were proposed.

This thesis presents a Realist Evaluation of the Brook Traffic Light Tool (TLT) which supports professionals in reducing harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) in children and young people (CYP). This is important as the numbers of HSB in CYP are rising, and no national strategy exists in the UK. The conceptual element consisted of developing a hybrid methodological approach combining: Realist Evaluation; The Kirkpatrick Model; evidence based policy, policy transfer and policy success perspectives. The empirical element involved evaluating the implementation of the TLT across Cornwall, with data collected in a three phase mixed method approach: a questionnaire with 436 responses; 60 detailed questionnaires and 13 interviews. The context, mechanisms and outcomes that emerged were complex. Conceptually, questions were raised about empirical research that underpins the TLT, with UK transfer and policy success criteria presenting a mixed picture of success. In Cornwall the TLT met the majority of its outcomes. Direct impact upon the behaviour of CYP was difficult to ascertain and categorisation anomalies were found when behaviours were not explicitly outlined in the TLT. The study found that a range of professionals were encountering both harmful and healthy sexual behaviours, yet comparison to national figures proved problematic as no baseline exists.

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006
Occupational noise affects industries in many countries around the world, and there is strong evidence from previous research linking it to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). More than 30 million workers in the United States of America alone were exposed to hazardous noise at the workplace before 1998. In South Africa, workers are not supposed to be exposed to a noise rating limit at or above 85dB(A). Abattoir employees are subjected to high noise levels when compared to the occupational noise rating limit of 85dB(A). Noise is generated from various mechanised and manual processes and activities in the abattoir during the slaughter of different animal species. Noise sources include conveyers, circular saws, air conditioners and pumps, pneumatic and other mechanical equipment. The aim of this study was to characterise noise exposure in different grades of abattoirs during the slaughter of cattle and sheep. The grading of abattoirs was previously done according to Grade A-E. Grade A-C is now referred to as high throughput abattoirs while Grade D and E are referred to as low throughput abattoirs. Personal and environmental noise exposure levels of workers in Grade A, C and D abattoirs in the Free State were therefore investigated. Noise measurements were done in accordance with the methods stipulated in the South African National Standards (SANS) Code of Practice 10083. Environmental and personal sampling were conducted with a calibrated Type 1 Quest integrated sound level meter (ISLM) and a Quest noise dosimeter respectively. Calibration was checked before and after taking measurements to ensure reliability and validity of results. The average noise exposure level in the high throughput abattoirs was above the recommended standard of 85dB(A). In the low throughput abattoirs the noise exposure levels were below this level. There were no statistically significant differences between the noise exposure levels during the slaughter of different species (P>0.05), or between Grade A and Grade C (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) however between Grade A and Grade D noise exposure levels. The results indicate that workers in Grade A and C abattoirs are exposed to unacceptable noise levels. Further research is recommended to include all categories of abattoirs and to determine the impact of noise exposure on the worker’s hearing in order to develop strategies to protect employees from the effects of excessive exposure to noise.

Thesis (MTech (Omgewingsgesondheid))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011.
Occupational related diseases (ORD) which result in permanent disability are compensable in South Africa. During the 2005/6 – 2007/8 financial years compensation for ORD’s totalled approximately R200 million per annum of which this study indicated, R92 milllion on average possibly related to hearing loss. This expense must surely result in negative financial consequences for both the South African government and employers. The manner in which compensation for hearing loss relating to the work place, is to be determined, was changed by Instruction 171 published in the Government Gazette dated 16 November 2001. A baseline audiogram is required for every employee who enters a noise zone during the course of employ and Instruction 171 specified that the percentage hearing loss has to be used to determine this baseline audiogram. A baseline audiogram, which is valid for the total working career of an employee, is used to monitor the hearing status of employees for purposes of possible future compensation. It consequently serves as a reference point from which hearing threshold shifts (HTS) are determined. The significance of the accuracy of this test is thus evident.Prior to the implementation of Instruction 171, various audiometric measuring tools were, in accordance with South African Standards, used in industry for purposes of hearing conservation. These measuring tools referred to above were used for various purposes which included, the determination of; compensable HL, the need for diagnostic procedures, when HL had to be reported to the Department of Labour as “an incident” and the efficiency of a hearing conservation program. With implementation of Instruction 171, these various measuring tools were reduced to a single tool namely the PLH.Naturally the accuracy of PLH determination is also important to employees as it may affect possible compensation of an individual’s hearing loss. Considering the significance of baseline audiograms for purposes of compensation, the following questions arose in this study; (i) does PLH, in its current format, measure the hearing threshold (HT) sufficiently accurately to (a) establish the baseline audiogram, (b) monitor HL for purposes of compensation, and (ii) is the PLH, as currently determined, suitable to identify further diagnostic procedures for purposes of hearing conservation?A more accurate PHL calculation procedure would be to the advantage of all parties concerned. A database which included baseline audiograms of 1101 respondents was studied to determine if the PLH, in its current format, was suitable to comply with the needs pertaining to industrial audiometry. The respondents were employees working in noise zones at various industries, located in the Western Cape and were all tested in accordance with South African audiometry standards.The current PLH determination procedure was studied and current audiometry baseline test results were reconstructed in a manner to calculate an alternative PLH. This reconstructed PLH was consequently used to determine a new B-baseline audiogram. StatSoft Statistica, software was used to statistically compare the current baseline audiogram with the B-baseline audiogram. The study revealed that the B-baseline audiogram succeeded to on average produce a 17% improvement (more accurate) in the determination of the PLH. The PLH of the B-baseline audiogram can thus be regarded as more representative of the true HT of employees.Based on the results of this study it is recommended that the current determination of the PLH used to establish the baseline, be amended. The proposed amendment (B-baseline audiogram) still uses the HT of the two tests done in accordance with Instruction 171 and no amendment of the test procedure is thus required. As the PLH of the baseline and the diagnostic baseline audiogram is currently used for compensation purposes, it is recommended that the B-baseline method be used for both the baseline and diagnostic baseline audiograms.

Thesis (MAud)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In developing countries, like Namibia, there is limited data pertaining to the number of individuals with hearing loss and its associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of potential hearing loss in Namibian Class A mines and to describe the extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with hearing loss. A cross-sectional design was utilised and data were collected from 132 respondents (mining employees) from five different Class A mines throughout the country. A questionnaire and a retrospective review of respondents’ medical records were utilised to determine the risk factors. The most recent audiogram found in the respondents’ records was used to determine the presence of potential hearing loss. Three definitions of potential hearing loss were used in this study and included all major frequency hearing loss (AFHL), high frequency hearing loss (HFHL) and low frequency hearing loss (LFHL). Potential hearing loss was identified when the pure tone average (PTA) of 0.5, 1, 2, & 4kHz, 0.5, 1 & 2kHz and 4 & 8kHz respectively was greater than 25dBHL in either one or both ears. Chi-square measurements or, where necessary, Fisher’s exact tests, as well as Odds Ratios were used for the analysis of data. In general a significance level of 5% was applied for all analyses. Results indicated the prevalence of potential hearing loss in Namibian mining employees to be 27% and that both extrinsic and intrinsic factors were associated with hearing loss. The extrinsic factors significantly associated with potential hearing loss were both occupational and medical. The occupational factors found to be significant were the number of years employed in whole life >10 years (p=0.012; OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.3-7.9), the number of years employed in current job > 10 years (p=0.01; OR=3.9, 95% CI1.7-8.8) and the non-availability of formal training in prevention of hearing loss (p=0.022; OR=0.3, 95% CI (0.1-0.9). Diabetes was the sole significant extrinsic medical factor (p=0.035, OR=5, 95% CI 1.1-22.1). The only intrinsic factor which was found to be significantly associated with hearing loss was Age, specifically being older than 40 years (p=0.002; OR=3.5, 95% CI 1.6-7.8) and 50 years (p=0.001, OR=5.5, 95% CI1.9-15.8). A multiple logistic regression model of all significant factors found that only no formal training of prevention of hearing loss was found to be significant in the presence of all other factors (p=0.036, OR=0.036, 95% 0.1-0.92). Findings from this study suggest that multiple factors may be associated with potential hearing loss and not just the exposure to hazardous occupational conditions. Recommendations for future research and clinical practice should, therefore, include thorough investigations into the aetiology of hearing loss. As this study focused on Class A mines, it is recommended that future research be conducted in other mines that are not categorised as Class A mines. Keywords: prevalence, extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors, extrinsic occupational factors, extrinsic social factors, extrinsic medical factors, potential hearing loss, mining industry, Class A mine, Namibia.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In ontwikkelende lande, soos Namibië, is daar beperkte data met betrekking tot die aantal individue met gehoorverlies en sy verwante faktore. Hierdie studie het gepoog om die voorkoms van gehoorverlies in Namibiese Klas A myne te bepaal en die ekstrinsieke en intrinsieke faktore wat verband hou met potensiale gehoorverlies te beskryf. 'n Deursnee-ontwerp is gebruik en data is ingesamel uit 132 respondente (mynbou werknemers), uit vyf verskillende Klas A myne regdeur die land. 'n Vraelys en 'n retrospektiewe oorsig van die respondente se mediese rekords is gebruik om die risiko faktore te bepaal. Die mees onlangse oudiogram wat in die respondente se rekords gevind is, is gebruik om die teenwoordigheid van potensiale gehoorverlies te bepaal. Drie definisies van potensiale gehoorverlies is gebruik in hierdie studie, ingesluit al die groot frekwensie gehoorverliese (AFHL), hoë frekwensie gehoorverlies (HFHL) en 'n lae frekwensie gehoorverlies (LFHL). ‘n Gehoorverlies was teenwoordig wanneer die suiwer toon gemiddelde (PTA van 0.5 , 1 , 2, & 4kHz , 0.5, 1 & 2kHz en 4 & 8kHz onderskeidelik , groter was as 25dBHL in een of albei ore. Chi -square metings of, waar nodig, Fisher se presiese toetse, asook kans verhoudings is gebruik vir die ontleding van data. In die algemeen is 'n beduidendeidsvlak van 5% gebruik en toegepas vir al die ontledings. Resultate het aangedui die voorkoms van gehoorverlies in Namibiese mynbouwerknemers tot 27 % was en dat beide ekstrinsieke en intrinsieke faktore ‘n verband toon met potensiaal gehoorverlies. Die ekstrinsieke faktore wat ‘n beduidende verband getoon het met gehoorverlies was albei beroeps- en mediese faktore. Die beroepsfaktore wat betekenisvol was, was die aantal jare diens in hele lewe > 10 jaar ( p = 0,012 ; OR = 3.1 , 95 % CI = 1.3-7.9) , die aantal jare in huidige pos> 10 jaar diens (p = 0,01 ; OF = 3.9 , 95 % CI1.7-8.8 ) en die onbeskikbaarheid van formele opleiding in die voorkoming van potensiaal gehoorverlies (p = 0,022 ; OF = 0,3 , 95 % CI ( 0,1-0,9 ). Diabetes was die enigste beduidende ekstrinsieke mediese faktor (p = 0,035 , OR = 5 , 95 % CI 1,1-22,1 ). Die enigste intrinsieke faktor watbeduidend was en verband hou met gehoorverlies was ouderdom, spesifiek om ouer as 40 jaar ( p = 0,002 ; OF = 3.5 , 95 % CI 1,6-7,8 ) en 50 jaar ( p = 0.001 , OR = 5.5 , 95 % CI1.9-15.8 ) te wees. 'n Veelvuldige regressie model van alle beduidende faktore het bevind dat slegs geen formele opleiding in die voorkoming van gerhoor verlies beduidende was in die teenwoordigheid van al die ander faktore ( p = 0,036 , OR = 0,036 , 95 % 0,1-0,92 ) . Bevindinge van hierdie studie dui daarop dat verskeie faktore geassosieer kan word met gehoorverlies en nie net die blootstelling aan gevaarlike beroepstoestande nie. Aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing en kliniese praktyk moet dus 'n grondige ondersoek na die etiologie van gehoorverlies uitvoer. Aangesien hierdie studie gefokus het op die Klas A- myne , word dit aanbeveel dat toekomstige navorsing gedoen word in ander myne wat nie gekategoriseer is as Klas A myne nie. Sleutelwoorde: Voorkoms, ekstrinsieke faktore, instrinsieke faktore, ekstrinsieke beroepsfaktore, ekstrinsieke sosiale faktore, ekstrinsieke mediese faktore, potensiale gehoorverlies, Klas A myn, Namibië.

Introduktion: Buller definieras som oönskat ljud. Uppfattningen av ett oönskat ljud är mycket individuellt. Det som anses vara oljud för en person, kan upplevas som icke-oljud för en annan person. Buller anses dock generellt som störande ljud och är vanligtvis något som varje individ stöter på under sin vardag som exempelvis på arbetsplatsen, skolan, eller i hemmet. Buller anses vara den miljöstörning som berör flest människor i Sverige. Det är ett växande problem och flygtrafik anses vara en av de mest genomgripande utomhusljudkällorna. Bullerproblem som är förknippade med flygtrafik är koncentrerade i områden nära flygplatser, vilket kan påverka flera tusentals boendes hälsa. Flygtrafikbuller har länge varit ett folkhälsoproblem och många människor som är bosatta i närheten av en flygplats har utvecklat ett antal negativa hälsoeffekter av flygtrafikbuller Syfte: Att undersöka hur boende som är bosatta nära flygplatsen Linköping City Airport upplever och påverkas av flygtrafikbuller.  Metod: Studien har utförts som en enkätundersökning med en kvantitativ tvärsnittsdesign. Webbenkäten som har använts som mätinstrument har konstruerats för att besvara syftet. 292 vuxna individer (>18år), varav 158 män och 133 kvinnor, deltog i studien. Insamlad statistiska data har bearbetats och analyserats i SPSS. För att kunna besvara syftet har följande statistiska tester använts: chi2-test, spearmans-korrelationsanalys och logistisk regressionsanalys.   Resultat och konklusion: Boende som är bosatta i Tannefors visade överlag positiva upplevelser till flygtrafiken och var positivt inställda till flygplatsen. De boende som upplevde störningar minst varje vecka vissa delar av året upplevde att flygtrafikbuller medför svårigheter att utföra olika aktiviteter. Kvinnor i den yngsta åldersgruppen upplevde flygtrafikbuller som mer störande jämfört med män. Män hade en mer negativ inställning till flygplatsen jämfört med kvinnor. Boende som rapporterade sämre hälsotillstånd, sömnproblem och användande av öronproppar eller något annat hörselskydd för att kunna sova bättre, sämre sömnkvalitet, trötthet, obehagskänslor, ledsenhet och nedstämdhet, osällskaplighet och att man föredrar att vara ifred, irritation och vresighet, stress, lock eller tinnitus i öronen meddelade också ett större besvär för flygtrafikbuller.
Introduction: Aircraft noise is an example of unwanted sound. The perception of unwanted sound is very individual. What is considered noise by one person may be perceived as non-noise by someone else. However, noise is generally regarded as disturbing noise and is usually something that each individual encounters in their daily life, such as in the workplace, at school, or at home. Noise is considered to be the form of environmental disruption that affects the most people in Sweden. It is a growing problem, and air traffic is considered to be one of the most pervasive outdoor sound sources. Noise problems associated with air traffic are concentrated in areas close to airports, which can affect the health of thousands of residents. Air traffic noise has long been a public health problem, and many people living near an airport have developed a number of negative health effects due to air traffic noise. Purpose: To study how residents living near Linköping City Airport experience and are affected by air traffic noise.   Method: The study has been conducted as a questionnaire survey with a quantitative crosssectional design. The online survey that has been used as a measuring instrument has been designed to answer the purpose. 292 adult subjects (> 18 years), including 158 men and 133 women, participated in the study. Collected statistical data has been processed and analysed in SPSS. In order to answer the purpose, the following statistical tests have been used: chi2 test, Spearman’s correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis. Results and conclusion: Residents living in Tannefors generally had positive experiences from air traffic and were positive towards the airport. The residents who experienced disturbances at least every week during certain parts of the year felt that air traffic noise caused difficulties performing various activities. Women in the youngest age group experienced air traffic noise as more disturbing compared to men. Men had fewer negative attitudes towards the airport compared to women. Residents who reported poorer health conditions, sleep problems and the use of earplugs or other hearing protectors to be able to sleep better, poorer sleep quality, fatigue, discomfort, sadness and depressed mood, low morale, a desire to be left alone, irritation and grief, stress, clogged ear or tinnitus also started that air traffic noise was a major inconvenience.

CAPES
O alto nível de ruído ocupacional é um problema presente em todas as regiões do mundo. O ruído é um agente ambiental que afeta diariamente uma grande parte de trabalhadores em indústrias e geram inúmeras consequências negativas. Pesquisas sobre o ruído ocupacional e os efeitos na saúde do trabalhador são publicados, porém, a análise da percepção individual do trabalhador sobre o seu comportamento constitui ainda um tema pouco abordado. Esta pesquisa buscou avaliar a influência do nível de maturidade dos Programas de Conservação Auditiva sobre a percepção de risco pelos trabalhadores. O presente estudo avaliou cinco empresas metalúrgicas com uma amostra de 243 trabalhadores expostos a níveis de pressão sonora superiores ao nível de ação na legislação nacional 85 dB (A). Tendo como base a revisão bibliográfica, foram aplicados dois questionários para avaliação das variáveis de natureza qualitativa. O primeiro questionário foi desenvolvido e aplicado às empresas para avaliar os níveis de maturidade em programas de conservação auditiva. Posteriormente foi aplicado um questionário para o trabalhador considerando a percepção individual do risco, a percepção dos efeitos do ruído, cultura de segurança e o comportamento de risco. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente, onde foram utilizadas ferramentas de análise de confiabilidade, análise de variância – ANOVA, Teste de Tukey e estatística descritiva para relacionar os dados. Concluiu-se que os diferentes níveis de maturidade não apresentam diferenças significativas na percepção do trabalhador, entretanto, foi possível constatar um maior percepção de risco nos diferentes níveis de exposição ao ruído.
The high level of occupational noise is a problem present in all regions of the world. Noise is an environmental agent that daily affects a large number of workers in industries and generate countless negative consequences. Research on occupational noise and the health effects of the worker is published, however, the analysis of individual perception of the worker on his behavior is still a subject little addressed. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of the level of maturity of the Hearing Conservation Programs on the perception of risk by the workers. The present study evaluated five metallurgical companies with a sample of 243 workers exposed to sound pressure levels above the action level in national legislation 85 dB (A). Based on the bibliographic review, two questionnaires were used to evaluate qualitative variables. The first questionnaire was developed and applied to companies to evaluate maturity levels in auditory conservation programs. Subsequently a questionnaire was applied to the worker considering the individual perception of risk, perception of the effects of noise, safety culture and risk behavior. The data were analyzed statistically, where tools of reliability analysis, analysis of variance - ANOVA, Tukey test and descriptive statistics were used to relate the data. It was concluded that the different levels of maturity do not present significant differences in the perception of the worker, however, it was possible to verify a greater perception of risk in the different levels of exposure to noise.

Le bruit affecte la santé humaine, provoquant de la gêne, des troubles du sommeil et augmentant le risque de crise cardiaque. Les quantifications de l’impact du bruit montrent que c’est un problème de santé publique et que le trafic routier en est majoritairement responsable. L’analyse du cycle de vie (ACV) est une méthode d’évaluation globale des impacts environnementaux d’un produit, d’un service ou d’un processus. Malgré la prise en compte de nombreux problèmes environnementaux, l’impact du bruit sur la santé humaine n’est pas encore correctement pris en compte dans l’ACV. L’objet de ce doctorat est d’intégrer dans l’ACV l’impact du bruit du trafic routier sur la santé humaine.Les différents éléments d’acoustique et d’épidémiologie qui permettent cette intégration sont présentés. Une analyse des méthodes existantes est conduite en les appliquant à un cas d’étude. Cela permet de comprendre les avantages et inconvénients des différentes approches tout en comparant les résultats qu’elles fournissent. Une méthode pour intégrer l’impact du bruit du trafic routier sur la santé humaine dans l’ACV est ensuite proposée. Cette méthode repose sur les logiciels de prédiction acoustique et les données rendues disponibles par la directive 2002/49/CE. Elle permet d’établir, avec une grande précision, des facteurs de caractérisations (CFs) reliant des flux élémentaires de l’inventaire ACV à un impact sur la santé humaine.La méthode est ensuite appliquée sur un échantillon de petites zones géographiques sélectionnées dans la région lyonnaise. L’application de la méthode et l’analyse des résultats apportent de nombreux enseignements sur l’existence potentielle d’une typologie pour la différentiation géographique, la meilleure forme pour la collecte d’information sur le bruit au niveau de l’inventaire ACV, la variabilité spatiale des CFs ou encore l’incertitude qui peut leur être associée. Les CFs obtenus montrent que l’intégration de l’impact du bruit en ACV pourrait doubler l’impact du transport routier sur la santé humaine. Ce doctorat identifie également des pistes de recherche. Des travaux similaires doivent être menés pour les autres moyens de transport (principalement trains et avions) pour permettre une comparaison équitable des études ACV les impliquant. Répéter la méthode dans d’autres zones géographiques, avec d’autres modèles d’émission et de propagation acoustique et/ou d’autres logiciels de propagation acoustique apporterait également des éléments intéressants
Noise affects human health, causing annoyance, sleep disturbance and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The quantification of noise impacts highlights it as a public health problem for which road traffic is mainly responsible. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a technique to assess the environmental impacts of a product, a service or a process. Despite taking into account many environmental problems, the impact of noise on human health is not yet properly taken into account in LCA. The aim of this PhD thesis is to integrate the impact of traffic noise on human health in the LCA framework.The scientific elements of acoustics and epidemiology that allow this integration are presented. An analysis of the existing methods is conducted by applying them to a case study. This helps to understand the advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches while comparing the results they provide. A method to integrate the impact of road traffic noise on human health in the LCA framework is then proposed. The method is based on noise prediction software and data made available by the Directive 2002/49/EC. This makes it possible to establish, with great precision, characterisation factors (CFs) connecting elementary flows of the LCA inventory with an impact on human health.The method is then applied to a sample of small geographic areas selected in the region surrounding the city of Lyon (France). The application of the method and the analysis of the results provides a multitude of information regarding the potential existence of a typology for spatial differentiation, the best form for the collection of noise information at the LCA inventory level, the spatial variability of the CFs and the uncertainties that may be associated with them. The CFs obtained show that integrating the impact of noise into LCA could double the impact of road transport on human health. This PhD thesis also identifies further potential research topics. Similar work needs to be done for other transport modes (mainly trains and airplanes) to allow for a fair comparison of different transport modes in LCA studies. Repeating this method in other geographical areas with other acoustic emission and propagation models and/or other noise prediction software would also help the generalisation of this work and the assessment of possible sources of uncertainties

Chan Wai Yip.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-227).
Acknowledgments --- p.1
Summary --- p.3
Table of Contents --- p.5
List of Figures --- p.11
List of Tables --- p.14
Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.17
Chapter 1.1 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.17
Chapter 1.2 --- The Uniqueness of Hong Kong --- p.17
Chapter 1.3 --- The Selection of Tsuen Wan --- p.19
Chapter Chapter 2 --- Conceptual Background --- p.23
Chapter 2.1 --- Review of Traffic Noise Research in Foreign Countries --- p.23
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Urban Noise Surveys --- p.23
Chapter 2.1.2 --- Traffic Noise Characteristics --- p.25
Chapter 2.1.3 --- Traffic Noise and Sleep Disturbance --- p.28
Chapter 2.1.4 --- Noise Events --- p.29
Chapter 2.1.5 --- Noise Environment by Multiple Noise Sources --- p.31
Chapter 2.1.6 --- Urban Form and Noise Exposure --- p.32
Chapter 2.2 --- Review of Noise Research in Hong Kong --- p.33
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.33
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Noise Survey --- p.35
Chapter 2.2.3 --- Noise Exposure and Response --- p.36
Chapter 2.2.4 --- Attenuation of Noise --- p.37
Chapter 2.2.5 --- Annoyance Produced by Different Vehicle Types --- p.38
Chapter 2.2.6 --- Noise Mitigation Measures --- p.39
Chapter 2.3 --- Research Issues in Hong Kong --- p.40
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Noise Exposure Level of Public Housing Estates and Old Urban Area --- p.40
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Indoor Noise Level --- p.42
Chapter 2.3.3 --- Frequency Analysis of Road Traffic Noise at Receiver --- p.42
Chapter 2.3.4 --- Noise Event Analysis --- p.43
Chapter 2.3.5 --- Noise Emitter Identification --- p.43
Chapter 2.3.6 --- Comparison of Measured Noise Levels with Critical Load for Sleep Disturbance --- p.44
Chapter 2.3.7 --- Noise Exposure Levels of Dwellings Built at Different Times --- p.45
Chapter 2.3.8 --- Road Traffic Noise and Urban Form --- p.45
Chapter 2.4 --- Significance of the Research --- p.46
Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology --- p.49
Chapter 3.1 --- Broad Framework --- p.49
Chapter 3.2 --- Noise Exposure --- p.49
Chapter 3.2.1 --- Prediction Method --- p.50
Chapter 3.2.2 --- Receptor Oriented Approach --- p.51
Chapter 3.2.3 --- Choice of Target Areas --- p.51
Chapter 3.2.4 --- Validation of Prediction Results by Field Measurement --- p.57
Chapter 3.2.5 --- Comparison of Measured and Predicted Noise Level --- p.67
Chapter 3.2.6 --- "The Noise Exposure Level of the Sampled Dwellings in Tsuen Wan, with Comparison with Other Countries and Other Parts of Hong Kong" --- p.69
Chapter 3.3 --- Variation of Noise Exposure among Housing Estates --- p.69
Chapter 3.3.1 --- Criteria for Comparison --- p.70
Chapter 3.4 --- Traffic Noise Effect on Urban Population --- p.73
Chapter 3.4.1 --- 24-hour Noise Environment --- p.73
Chapter 3.4.2 --- Site Selection --- p.74
Chapter 3.4.3 --- 24-hour Facade Noise Level --- p.77
Chapter 3.4.4 --- Late Night Indoor Noise Level and Video Recording --- p.79
Chapter 3.4.5 --- Frequency Analysis of Noise Events --- p.82
Chapter Chapter 4 --- Noise Exposure of Tsuen Wan Residents --- p.85
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.85
Chapter 4.2 --- Comparison of Noise Exposure Level of the Sampled Dwellings in Tsuen Wan with Hong Kong Traffic Noise Guideline --- p.85
Chapter 4.3 --- Frequency Distribution of Noise Exposure Level of the Sampled Dwellingsin Tsuen Wan --- p.87
Chapter 4.4 --- Comparison of Noise Exposure of the Sampled Dwellings in Tsuen Wan with Dwellings in Australia and England --- p.90
Chapter 4.5 --- Comparison of Noise Exposure of Dwellings in Tsuen Wan With Previous studies in Hong Kong --- p.93
Chapter 4.6 --- Variations in Noise Exposure Level among Housing Clusters --- p.96
Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.97
Chapter Chapter 5 --- Factors Affecting Traffic Noise Exposure in Different Housing Clusters --- p.106
Chapter 5.1 --- Comparison of Noise Exposure Level of Dwellings Built at Different Times …… --- p.106
Chapter 5.1.1 --- Classification of Dwellings According to the Time of Construction --- p.106
Chapter 5.1.2 --- Discussion --- p.112
Chapter 5.2 --- "Noise Exposure Level of Private, Public Housing and Village Houses" --- p.113
Chapter 5.3 --- Noise Exposure and Urban Form --- p.121
Chapter 5.4 --- Variation of Noise Level with Elevation for Dwellings Built at Different Times --- p.128
Chapter 5.4.1 --- Variation of Noise Level with Height for Dwellings Built Mostly in the 50's and 60´ةs --- p.130
Chapter 5.4.2 --- Variation of Mean Noise Exposure Level with Height for Dwellings Builtin the 70's and Early 80's --- p.133
Chapter 5.4.3 --- Variation of Noise Level with Elevation for Dwellings Built after 1985 --- p.134
Chapter 5.4.4 --- Discussion --- p.135
Chapter 5.5 --- Variation of Noise Level with Elevation for Nine Individual High-rise Housing Estates --- p.137
Chapter 5.5.1 --- Acoustical Shadow by Podium --- p.140
Chapter 5.5.2 --- Elevated Road Surface --- p.141
Chapter 5.5.3 --- Acoustical Shadow by A Depressed Road Cut into a Hill --- p.143
Chapter 5.5.4 --- Sudden Increase of Mean LA10 at High Levels at Belvedere Garden and Waterside Plaza --- p.144
Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion --- p.146
Chapter Chapter 6 --- Effect of Traffic Noise on Urban Population --- p.148
Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.148
Chapter 6.2 --- Diurnal Variation of LA10，LA90 and LAeq --- p.149
Chapter 6.3 --- Comparison of Hourly Facade LA10 with Hong Kong Traffic Noise Guideline --- p.154
Chapter 6.4 --- Comparison with 24-hour Noise Standards --- p.156
Chapter 6.5 --- 24-hour Outdoor Noise Climate --- p.157
Chapter 6.6 --- Outdoor-indoor Noise Attenuation --- p.163
Chapter 6.6.1 --- "Outdoor-indoor Attenuation of LA10，LA90, LAeq and LAmax" --- p.163
Chapter 6.6.2 --- "Outdoor-indoor Attenuation of LA10 - LA90, LA10 - LAeq and LAmax - LA90" --- p.165
Chapter 6.7 --- Road Traffic Noise Related Sleep Disturbance --- p.167
Chapter 6.7.1 --- Facade Noise Level --- p.167
Chapter 6.7.2 --- Indoor Noise Level --- p.171
Chapter 6.7.3 --- Noise Event Analysis --- p.176
Chapter 6.7.4 --- Frequency Analysis of Noise Events --- p.182
Chapter 6.8 --- Noise Emitters --- p.187
Chapter 6.9 --- Conclusion --- p.193
Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion --- p.195
Chapter 7.1 --- Major Findings --- p.195
Chapter 7.2 --- Research Significance --- p.198
Chapter 7.3 --- Limitation --- p.199
Chapter 7.4 --- Implications for Traffic Noise Control Measures --- p.200
Chapter 7.5 --- Areas for Future Research --- p.202
Appendix - Roadnoise --- p.204
Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.204
Chapter 2 --- "A Brief Overview of Roadnoise, DoE and CRTN88" --- p.204
Chapter 3 --- The Input Variables --- p.205
Chapter 4 --- The Calculation Procedure --- p.206
Chapter 5 --- The Accuracy of CRTN88 --- p.206
Chapter 5.1 --- General Accuracy of DoE and CRTN88 --- p.207
Chapter 5.2 --- "The Accuracy of DoE when Wind, Barriers or Shielding is present" --- p.208
References --- p.210

Although the adverse auditory effects of noise have been the focus of occupational health research for decades, little is known about the nonauditory health effects that result from noise exposure. The focus of this research was the nonauditory health effects of exposure to commercial aircraft noise (CAN) overflights. It was theorized that CAN exposure resulted in an ongoing stress-response that had the potential to be harmful to human health over time. Two aspects of CAN were considered; the sound level intensity (dBA), and the frequency of overflights. Data were collected by a stratified random sampling design in the CAN exposed neighborhoods of Eagan, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Bloomington, and in control communities of Shoreview and Mounds View, all located in Minnesota (n=4000). A written questionnaire was used to measure; (1) health (MOS-36 Scale), (2) behavioral and emotional coping strategies, (3) noise sensitivity, (4) annoyance levels, and (5) demographic data. Aircraft noise levels and overflight data were obtained in cooperation with the Metropolitan Airport Sound Abatement Commission. Results showed significantly higher stress levels and lower health measures by CAN exposure type. These findings occurred primarily in communities exposed to high frequencies of aircraft overflights. Multivariate analysis revealed significant reductions for the three main health measures of General Health (GH), Sense of Vitality (Vitality), and Mental Health (MH), based on CAN exposure type. Post-hoc contrast analysis indicated that GH, Vitality, and MH scores were worst with high frequency of overflights. Behavioral copers had significantly fewer stress symptoms and used fewer stress medications than non-behavioral copers. Non-normalized emotional copers had significant negative associations with Gil, Vitality, and MH; however, these correlations were weak. Noise sensitivity levels were not significantly different among the CAN exposed communities; however noise annoyance levels were significantly higher than controls, and were the highest with high frequency of overflights. Finally, multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant reduction for health measures based on CAN exposure types after adjusting for all effect modifiers (covariates) in the study. Vitality was the most consistently impacted by CAN exposure, and this was particularly the case for subjects exposed to high frequency of aircraft overflights.
Graduation date: 1996

by Shu-Pan Yu.
Thesis submitted in: November 2001.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002.
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
ABSTRACT --- p.I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.V
TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VI
LIST OF FIGURES --- p.IX
LIST OF TABLES --- p.X
LIST OF PLATES --- p.X
ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XI
Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1
Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter 1.2 --- Objective --- p.2
Chapter 1.3 --- Environmental Impact Assessment of Roads --- p.3
Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- BACKGROUND TO STUDY --- p.8
Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.8
Chapter 2.2. --- Road SEA VIS-A-VIZ Project EIA --- p.8
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Introduction and Definition of SEA of Road Network --- p.8
Chapter 2.2.2 --- SEA as an Improvement on EIA system --- p.9
Chapter 2.2.3. --- The Environmental Indicators of Road Project EIA and SEA --- p.13
Chapter 2.2.4. --- SEA Approaches --- p.15
Chapter 2.2.5. --- The SEA Process --- p.15
Chapter 2.3. --- Methodologies and Tools for SEA --- p.18
Chapter 2.3.1. --- Needs for Tailor-made SEA Tools --- p.19
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Desirable Attributes of SEA Assessment Tools --- p.20
Chapter 2.4. --- Difficulties and Constraints of Road Building in Hong Kong --- p.21
Chapter 2.4.1. --- Traffic Noise Problems in Hong Kong --- p.22
Chapter 2.4.2. --- Noise Emission vs Noise Immission Assessment --- p.23
Chapter 2.4.3. --- Ecological Resources in Hong Kong --- p.26
Chapter 2.5. --- Environmental Assessment Systems in Hong Kong --- p.28
Chapter 2.5.1 --- Noise Assessment in Project EIAs --- p.28
Chapter 2.5.2 --- Difficulties in Transposing Project EIA Noise Prediction Methodology to SEA --- p.29
Chapter 2.5.3 --- Road Project Ecological Assessment --- p.30
Chapter 2.5.4 --- Need for Proactive Nature Conservation --- p.30
Chapter 2.5.5 --- SEA Systems in Hong Kong --- p.31
Chapter 2.6. --- Use of Geographical Information System (GIS) as a Platform --- p.35
Chapter 2.6.1 --- Potentials and Advantages of GIS Approach --- p.36
Chapter 2.6.2 --- Limitations of GIS --- p.40
Chapter 2.7. --- Summary --- p.42
Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY --- p.44
Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.44
Chapter 3.2. --- Noise Impacts --- p.44
Chapter 3.2.1. --- Previous Overseas Experience of Strategic Noise Assessment Using GIS --- p.44
Chapter 3.2.2. --- Development of An Appropriate Assessment Methodology for Hong Kong --- p.48
Chapter 3.3. --- Ecological Impacts --- p.68
Chapter 3.3.1. --- Past Experience of Strategic Ecological Assessment (SEcA) Using GIS --- p.70
Chapter 3.3.2. --- Assessment Methodology of Strategic Ecological Assessment --- p.72
Chapter 3.4. --- Land Acquisition Assessment --- p.78
Chapter 3.4.1. --- Assessment Method --- p.79
Chapter 3.5. --- Summary --- p.79
Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- SYSTEM DESIGN --- p.81
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.81
Chapter 4.2 --- System Overview --- p.81
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Functions of the System --- p.84
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Design Features of the System --- p.84
Chapter 4.3 --- System Software --- p.87
Chapter 4.4 --- System Structure --- p.88
Chapter 4.4.1 --- Base Maps Insertion --- p.88
Chapter 4.4.2 --- Traffic Data Input --- p.92
Chapter 4.4.3 --- Noise Assessment --- p.93
Chapter 4.4.4 --- Ecological Assessment --- p.105
Chapter 4.4.5 --- Land Acquisition Assessment --- p.111
Chapter 4.4.6 --- Summary of Overall Impacts --- p.113
Chapter 4.4.7 --- Comparison of Options --- p.114
Chapter 4.5 --- Summary --- p.115
Chapter CHAPTER 5. --- APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM : A PILOT STUDY --- p.116
Chapter 5.1. --- Introduction --- p.116
Chapter 5.2. --- The Crosslinks Project --- p.116
Chapter 5.2.1. --- The Project Area - North-west New Territories --- p.117
Chapter 5.2.1.1. --- Urban Development in the NWNT --- p.118
Chapter 5.2.1.2. --- Ecological Habitats of the NWNT --- p.119
Chapter 5.3. --- Execution of the Pilot Study --- p.119
Chapter 5.4. --- Results and Discussions --- p.125
Chapter 5.4.1. --- Environmental Assessment of the Crosslinks Project --- p.125
Chapter 5.4.2. --- Assessment of Alternative Options --- p.133
Chapter 5.4.3. --- Experience Learned from the Pilot Study --- p.147
Chapter 5.5. --- Summary --- p.148
Chapter CHAPTER 6. --- CONCLUSION --- p.149
Chapter 6.1. --- Design Concepts and Features --- p.149
Chapter 6.2. --- Limitations of the System --- p.153
Chapter 6.3. --- Further Research --- p.154
REFERENCES --- p.156
APPENDICES --- p.166
APPEMDIXI NOISE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY --- p.167
"APPENDIX II R(A), R(B), R(C) NOISE ATTENUATION PATTERNS" --- p.171
APPENDIX III PUBLICAHONS --- p.175

Wong Chun Yin.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-143).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi
LIST OF TABLES --- p.xv
LIST OF ACRONYMS --- p.xvi
Chapter CHAPTER ONE - --- INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter 1.2 --- Research background --- p.1
Chapter 1.2.1 --- Urban park functions and challenges --- p.1
Chapter 1.2.2 --- Urban park acoustic environment --- p.2
Chapter 1.3 --- Urban Parks in Hong Kong --- p.5
Chapter 1.4 --- Conceptual framework and research objectives --- p.7
Chapter 1.5 --- Research significance --- p.9
Chapter CHAPTER TWO - --- LITERATURE REVIEW
Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.11
Chapter 2.2 --- Changing approach in managing noise problem in living environment: from noise control to soundscape planning --- p.12
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Noise control: sound (noise) as a waste to avoid --- p.12
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Soundscape planning: sound as a resource to utilize --- p.12
Chapter 2.2.3 --- Soundscape as a guiding principle --- p.13
Chapter 2.2.4 --- The importance of soundscape --- p.14
Chapter 2.2.5 --- Criteria for soundscape planning --- p.15
Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- Sound intensity and quietness --- p.15
Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- "Sound source, soundscape clarity and sound preference" --- p.16
Chapter 2.2.5.3 --- "Sound information content, sound-image congruence and acoustic masking" --- p.18
Chapter 2.2.5.4 --- Acoustic comfort --- p.20
Chapter 2.2.5.5 --- Acoustic objectives --- p.20
Chapter 2.2.6 --- From soundscape planning to environmental design --- p.21
Chapter 2.3 --- Impact of road traffic noise on human --- p.21
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Detection of road traffic noise --- p.22
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Response to road traffic noise --- p.22
Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Reaction to noise --- p.23
Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Physiological response --- p.24
Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Behavioural response --- p.24
Chapter 2.3.2.4 --- Cognitive response --- p.25
Chapter 2.3.3 --- Moderating factors for road traffic noise impact --- p.25
Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Auditory masking --- p.25
Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Visual screening --- p.26
Chapter 2.4 --- Previous studies on urban park soundscape --- p.27
Chapter 2.4.1 --- Focus on sound intensity --- p.27
Chapter 2.4.2 --- Sound as a resource to utilize --- p.28
Chapter 2.4.3 --- Recommendations on park design --- p.29
Chapter 2.4.4 --- Research gaps --- p.31
Chapter CHAPTER THREE - --- METHODOLOGY
Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.33
Chapter 3.2 --- Site selection --- p.33
Chapter 3.3 --- Characterizing urban park soundscape --- p.38
Chapter 3.3.1 --- Identification of sound source --- p.38
Chapter 3.3.2 --- Field Measurement of Sound intensity and frequency spectrum --- p.40
Chapter 3.3.3 --- Contribution from road traffic noise --- p.41
Chapter 3.3.4 --- Questionnaire design to study human perception --- p.43
Chapter 3.3.5 --- Sampling strategy --- p.47
Chapter 3.4 --- Summary --- p.48
Chapter CHAPTER FOUR - --- SOUNDSCAPE OF URBAN PARKS IN HONG KONG
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.50
Chapter 4.2 --- Sound source --- p.50
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Mechanical sounds --- p.57
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Natural sounds --- p.57
Chapter 4.2.3 --- Man-made sounds --- p.59
Chapter 4.2.4 --- Soundscape clarity --- p.59
Chapter 4.3 --- Sound Intensity --- p.63
Chapter 4.4 --- Contribution from road traffic noise to urban park sound intensity --- p.66
Chapter 4.5 --- Frequency spectrum --- p.73
Chapter 4.6 --- Effect of topographic variations --- p.76
Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.82
Chapter CHAPTER FIVE - --- PARK VISITOR'S PERCEPTION ON URBAN PARK SOUNDSCAPE
Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84
Chapter 5.2 --- Urban park noisiness --- p.84
Chapter 5.3 --- Sound source --- p.85
Chapter 5.4 --- Sound preference --- p.87
Chapter 5.5 --- Effect of park size --- p.93
Chapter 5.6 --- Effect of park function --- p.94
Chapter 5.7 --- Effect of fountain --- p.95
Chapter 5.8 --- Perceived importance of tranquility --- p.96
Chapter 5.9 --- Conclusion --- p.101
Chapter CHAPTER SIX - --- IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ON URBAN PARK SOUNDSCAPE DESIGN
Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.102
Chapter 6.2 --- Soundscape of urban parks in Hong Kong: undesirable yet being adapted… --- p.102
Chapter 6.3 --- Enhancing soundscape identity of urban parks --- p.103
Chapter 6.4 --- Small parks --- p.104
Chapter 6.5 --- Large parks --- p.107
Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.109
Chapter CHAPTER SEVEN - --- CONCLUSION
Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.110
Chapter 7.2 --- Summary of findings --- p.110
Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of the research --- p.115
Chapter 7.3.1 --- Park visitor's aspiration for desirable soundscape --- p.115
Chapter 7.4 --- Further studies for designing a desirable urban park soundscape --- p.116
APPENDIX ONE --- p.118
APPENDIX TWO --- p.122
REFERENCES --- p.137

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Highway noise can cause annoyance, affect sleep patterns, and reduce the property value for people in the proximity. Current methods for analyzing the effectiveness of sound barriers only take loudness into consideration. This paper introduces new methods that can be used to analyze the effectiveness of the sound barriers. Our approach uses psychoacoustic measures including sharpness, roughness, fluctuation, strength, and annoyance. Highway noise is non-stationary, therefore each of these metrics are calculated over a short time. Finally analysis is performed the distribution and change over time. We used nth nearest neighbor algorithm to remove sounds that are not a part of the experiment. In the future, this data can be combined with human surveys to see if the change in sound quality due to the presence of sound barriers has a meaningful impact on people's lives.

The study investigated the feasibility of including DPOAEs in the annual medical surveillance test battery for the identification of NIHL in a group of employees in a manufacturing industry in KwaZulu-Natal. Feasibility was investigated by exploring the sensitivity, specificity and predictive efficiency of DPOAEs, the ability of DPOAEs to detect subtle noise-induced cochlea changes, the test-retest reliability of DPOAEs and lastly, the duration of time taken to conduct the DPOAE test bilaterally. A cross-sectional and repeated measures within-in participant design was utilized in the study. A purposive convenience sampling technique was used, as well as a stratified sampling approach in order to realize objective two of the study. The study consisted of 60 participants, which were further stratified into four test groups, i.e. Group A: 0-3 years, Group B: 3.1-6 years and Group C: 6.1-9 years and Group D: 9.1-13 years of working within the beverage manufacturing industry. A high sensitivity and negative predictive value was reported in the current study, suggesting that DPOAEs may be able to identify those who present with subtle cochlea changes as a result of exposure to occupational noise. The sensitivity of DPOAEs was 100% at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8kHz in the right ear and at 4 and 6kHz in the left ear. The specificity of DPOAEs in the current study ranged between 55%-97% across the frequency range in the right ear and 49%-88% in the left ear. A negative predictive value of 100% was obtained bilaterally across the frequency range, except at 8kHz in the left ear. Visual inspection of the DPgram in the current study revealed a bilateral reduction in DPOAE amplitudes for all test groups in the high frequency region of the DP-Gram, namely, 5477Hz and 7303Hz, in the absence of a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). A greater frequency range appears to be affected in this group of workers, indicating that the type of noise, namely, impulse noise, may result in cochlea changes. Corresponding changes on the pure tone audiogram were not observed, however, noise notch configurations were observed for the groups with a longer history of noise exposure. This was not seen bilaterally as is typically expected with NIHL. Good test-retest reliability across the frequency range obtained in the current study further indicates the feasibility of including DPOAEs in the annual medical surveillance test battery. Additionally, the current study calculated an average of 86 seconds (1 minute 26 seconds) to conduct the DPOAE test bilaterally, confirming that DPOAEs are a quick test to administer. The findings of this study suggest that DPOAEs may be used to monitor early subtle noise-induced cochlea changes for workers exposed to noise in the beverage manufacturing industry as part of the annual medical surveillance test battery.
Thesis (M.Comm.Path.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2013.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technology: Quality Management, Durban University of Technology, 2014.
Hearing conservation in the industrial setting has mainly focussed on the harmful effects of noise exposure on the auditory system. This study investigated the co-exposure to noise and ototoxic chemicals on the auditory system of workers engaged by labour brokers. It examined the adequacy of current occupational health and safety legislation to address chemically induced hearing loss and makes recommendations at a policy level to protect workers’ hearing at the workplace. This study is an exploratory cross-sectional field case study in an industrial setting. A sample of 300 workers was drawn from a rubber factory involved in the manufacture of components for the motor, shoe and plumbing industries in the metropolitan area of Durban. Purposive sampling was undertaken amongst a cohort of day shift workers which constituted the research subjects. The research tools used in the study included the completion of the NoiseChem questionnaire, conducting pure tone audiometric testing on research subjects, monitoring noise exposure levels and performing chemical air monitoring of the ambient environment. This study confirms that a segment of the research subjects were exposed to both ototoxic chemicals and noise. Chemical exposure of research subjects was within legal permissible limits in most instances. Noise exposure exceeded the noise rating limit of 85 dBA in certain work areas. Multiple regression analysis revealed that there was a slight trend towards co-exposure to chemicals and noise being risk factors for hearing loss with an odds ratio of 1.7 (95% CI = 0.34 – 8.57) but the p value was not significant. No significant association with hearing loss was evident for workers exposed to chemical only with odds ratio of 0.41 (95% CI = 0.11 – 1.53, p = 0.19) and noise only with odds ratio of 0.87 (95% CI = 0.32 – 2.31, p = 0.78). The study indicated that workers exposed to both ototoxic chemicals and noise may be more susceptible to hearing loss in their current jobs. The study draws attention to policy gaps in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and proposes changes to address the shortcomings.
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