Abstract
What is already known about this topic? China is a country mainly based on thermal power generation. Noise is one of the most critical occupational hazards among thermal power stations. What is added by this report? The proportion of detected environmental noise that exceeded 85 dB(A) is 69.6%, and the median of its noise level was 88.4 dB(A). The proportion of detected individual noise that exceeded 85 dB(A) was 52.6%, and the median of its noise level was 85.4 dB(A). The overall environmental noise exposure levels rose with the increase in the scales of coal-fired thermal power stations, while the individual noise exposure levels were contrary. What are the implications for public health practice? Workers in coal-fired thermal power stations are exposed to noise at a significantly high level, more than half of the environmental and individual exposure level were above 85 dB(A), which could impair workers’ hearing capacity. Specific intervention is required to protect workers from exposure to noise at the workplace and eliminate the adverse health effects.
Highlights
China CDC WeeklyNoise Exposure Level of Coal-Fired Thermal Power Stations in Different Scales — China, 2017−2019
In 2018, the total electricity generated in China was 7.1 trillion kilowatthours, of which electricity generated by thermal power generation was 5.1 trillion kWh, accounting for 71.8% of the total [3]
A high level of exposure to occupational noise remains in many workplaces, which results in a major burden that has been consequential worldwide [8]
Summary
Noise Exposure Level of Coal-Fired Thermal Power Stations in Different Scales — China, 2017−2019. A total of 9 coal-fired thermal power stations were selected to conduct occupational health surveys and noise detection of a total of 20 power generating units including 2 units of 2×300 MW, 3 units of 2× 600 MW, 1 unit of 4×600 MW, 1 unit of 2×660 MW, and 2 units of 2×1,000 MW. The sampling method and noise detection method were determined based on the Measurement of Physical Agents in the Workplace Part 8: Noise (GBZ/T 189.8-2007) This study investigated both environmental and individual noise exposure based on the major production units of the stations including coal transportation, combustion systems, thermal systems, ash handling systems, flue gas desulfurization, and chemical water treatment. Levels of environmental noise on-site were measured using the AWA5633A
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