Total Non-Occupational Noise Exposure of Construction Workers

Abstract

Total non-occupational noise exposure levels were estimated for a group of 266 construction apprentices participating in a longitudinal study of noise and hearing loss. Subjects were interviewed regarding their exposure to “episodic” activities (e.g., concert attendance), and noise levels for these activities were obtained from a literature review. “Routine” activities were assessed using a combination of self-reported activity logs and non-occupational noise dosimetry measurements. Routine and episodic activity exposures were combined into estimated annual Leq exposure levels for the 6760 nominal non-occupational hours in a year (LAeq6760h). The LAeq6760h levels were then transformed into equivalent levels for a 2000 hour exposure period (LA2000hn), which allowed direct comparison to occupational risk criteria. The median LAeq6760h was 73 dBA, and the median LA2000hn was 78 dBA. Nineteen percent of LA2000hn non-occupational exposures exceeded 85 dBA, the generally recommended occupational limit. Firearms use could not be incorporated into the total noise exposure estimates. However, firearms users reported more exposure to other noisy non-occupational activities than did non-shooters, and had higher estimated exposure levels even without including their firearms exposure. Non-occupational noise exposures among most construction workers present little additional exposure when compared to their occupational exposures. However, they may contribute significantly to overall exposure in the subset of workers who frequently participate in selected noisy activities.