Everyday Exposure to Occupational/Non-Occupational Infrasound Noise in Our Life

Abstract

Infrasounds are very common in the natural environment. There are various opinions about their harmfulness or lack of harmfulness. One of the reasons of increasing interest in this issue is that there are more and more wind farms appearing close to building estates which are undoubtedly a source of infrasound. It is reasonable to present the results of research of infrasound noise connected not only with wind farms. In this study own results of research of infrasound noise related to daily human activity are presented. The measurements were carried out during housework, travel to the office or shop, and during shopping. The results are shown in the form of values of equivalent levels and 1/3-octave analyses. Taking into consideration the natural sources of infrasound in the environment, the measurements were conducted during both windy and windless weather. On the basis of the results of the measurements it was possible to define the daily exposure to infrasound noise. Those results were also compared with the available in the literature threshold values sensed by people. Estimated level of exposure to noise beyond workplace together with the level of exposure to noise at work enables to define daily exposure level, which means a better assessment of risk of health loss. Increasing social awareness of acoustic threat in everyday life allows us to identify the problem and at the same time improve the quality of rest and efficiency at work.

Classification of Low Frequency Signals Emitted by Power Transformers Using Sensors and Machine Learning Methods

“…The next step in the research study involved the analysis of the frequency spectra of sound pressure levels corrected with G frequency characteristics, which can be employed in demonstrating noise levels in conditions that are audible to the human ear [5,6]. Other studies present the effect of infrasound noise related to everyday human activities [7].…”

Identification of Criteria for Evaluating the Location of Youth Recreation and Leisure Centers

“…[29]. Air pollution [6], [16], [9] Noise and acoustic characteristics of the external environment [6], [30], [36], [9] Weather and climate [6], [9]…”

“…Terzakis, M.E. et al [30] and Zagubień, A. and Wolniewicz, K. [36] conducted studies on infrasound and low-frequency noise levels in schools, noting the potential harmful effects of noise exposure on children's physical and mental development. When planning construction projects, regardless of their nature, technical issues, landforms, soil and water conditions and urban criteria are important.…”

Archives of Acoustics

“…The whole equipment had valid calibration certificates. There was used the SV02/C4 microphone with constant measurement characteristics of frequency range from 0.4 to 16 000 Hz (Zagubień, 2016).…”