Noise Management Research Articles

NOISE POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH: A REVIEW

Noise pollution is a pervasive environmental issue with significant adverse effects on human health. This abstract explores the impact of noise pollution on both physical and mental well-being, emphasizing its role in increasing risks for cardiovascular diseases, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairments. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly affected by high noise levels, which exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression, and impair cognitive development in children. The economic implications of noise pollution are considerable, with substantial costs associated with healthcare and productivity losses, as well as negative effects on community cohesion and quality of life. Effective noise management is essential, requiring robust regulations, improved urban planning, and heightened public awareness. Further research is needed to understand the long-term health impacts, refine noise reduction technologies, and assess effects on specific populations. Interdisciplinary studies will be crucial in developing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the health impacts of noise pollution. KEYWORDS: Noise Pollution; Health Impacts; Noise Reduction Technologies; Economic Costs; Interdisciplinary Research

Systematizing cellular complexity: A Hilbertian approach to biological problems

Examining individual components of cellular systems has been successful in uncovering molecular reactions and interactions. However, the challenge lies in integrating these components into a comprehensive system-scale map. This difficulty arises due to factors such as missing links (unknown variables), overlooked nonlinearities in high-dimensional parameter space, downplayed natural noisiness and stochasticity, and a lack of focus on causal influence and temporal dynamics. Composite static and phenomenological descriptions, while appearing complicated, lack the essence of what makes the biological systems truly “complex.” The formalization of system-level problems is therefore important in constructing a meta-theory of biology. Addressing fundamental aspects of cellular regulation, adaptability, and noise management is vital for understanding the robustness and functionality of biological systems. These aspects encapsulate the challenges that cells face in maintaining stability, responding to environmental changes, and harnessing noise for functionality. This work examines these key problems that cells must solve, serving as a template for such formalization and as a step towards the axiomatization of biological investigations. Through a detailed exploration of cellular mechanisms, particularly homeostatic configuration, ion channels and harnessing noise, this paper aims to illustrate complex concepts and theories in a tangible context, providing a bridge between abstract theoretical frameworks and concrete biological phenomena.

Drone Noise Management in New Zealand

Drone Noise Management in New Zealand

Health impact of environmental and industrial noise - a narrative review.

Industrial noise sources are among the environmental noise sources that are ranked second among the causes of ill health in Europe by the World Health Organization. The aim of this paper is to summarize and review of published information focusing on noise annoyance from industrial activities and mining. A search for articles was performed using the bibliographic databases platforms. The epidemiological evidence shows that environmental noise may be associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, impaired cognitive development in children, mental health, post-irritability, and sleep disturbances. As a result of efforts to minimize the effects of industrial noise on human health, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority published A Guide to the Noise Policy for Industry in 2017, which sets out recommended noise levels, methods, and procedures for noise management based on the latest scientific evidence. Social networks can be used to assess the population's noise annoyance and to verify the effectiveness of the measures. The industrial noise sources are typically defined by low-frequency noise. Low-frequency noise has very low attenuation and is only slightly affected by obstacles, therefore it can be a major cause of night noise annoyance. An association was confirmed between exposure to low-frequency noise and sleep disturbance, psychological problems, cognitive impairment, increased social conflicts, anxiety, emotional instability, nervousness, and reduced mental performance - concentration, and visual perception. In view of the long tradition of mining and industry, the assessment of noise from these activities from the perspective of its impacts on human health is an inherent part of legislative processes. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(5).

An elastic piezoelectric nanomembrane with double noise reduction for high-quality bandpass acoustics

Polymer piezoelectrics with high electromechanical energy conversion (HEEC) are very promising for flexible acoustoelectric devices. However, reducing thickness and improving ordered polarization and ferroelectricity while maintaining high mechanical strength pose enormous fabrication challenges for polymer piezoelectric membranes—additionally, noise management in the acoustoelectric conversion remains an open issue. Here, we present a hydro-levitation superspreading approach for fabricating polymer nanomembranes with ordered crystalline phases and sub-nanostructures on the water surface. The elastic piezoelectric nanomembrane (EPN) is only 335 nanometers thick and consists of a conductance-stable piezoelectric layer sandwiched between two elastic damping layers. Such an all-in-one EPN can reduce background noise with low autocorrelation in the environment, suppress spurious noise caused by poor circuit contact, and achieve bandpass filtering of acoustic signals at human voice frequencies. This nanomembrane holds promise in repairing the auditory system of patients with tympanic membrane perforation and in a wide range of other acoustoelectric conversion fields.

The efficiency of portable air cleaners in reducing cross-exposure through respiratory aerosols: Effects of flowrate, location, and unit type

This study evaluates the efficacy of portable air cleaners (PACs) in a controlled climate chamber that simulates an office environment, assessing their impact on respiratory particle transmission between two thermal manikins (representing an infected and an exposed individual) as well as on the noise level in the chamber. The study explores three types of PAC, namely floor-type (PAC1), table (PAC2) and personalized (PAC3) in various locations and operation modes. The particles were generated using an aerosol generator and introduced into the infected manikin's exhalation; the particle concentration at the exposed manikin's breathing zone (BZ) was measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer. The results showed that the PAC2, operating at a flow rate of 97 m³/h, significantly reduced the intake fraction (IF) by over 90 % within the first hour, proving to be the most effective in minimizing cross-exposure risks while maintaining sound levels within the acceptable limits for office rooms. In contrast, PAC3, with a lower flow rate of 13 m³/h, reduced IF by only 21.6 % after 60 min. The result also showed that settings with higher flow rates (higher than 134 m3/h) resulted in noise levels above the maximum allowable for office spaces for all tested PACs. Additionally, prolonged operation did not further decrease IF significantly after reaching optimal reduction levels within 30–60 min, depending on the PAC type and settings. Further, the study showed that strategic placement away from direct alignment with occupants' BZ is recommended to optimize aerosol removal and noise management.

Effectiveness of noise barriers in sensitive urban areas: a comprehensive study on noise reduction strategies and public health implications.

This study investigates the effectiveness of noise management strategies, focusing on installing barriers to reduce urban noise pollution, particularly around hospitals. The research in Sakarya, Turkey, employs comprehensive noise measurements and modeling techniques to evaluate barrier interventions. The study included 24-h noise averages and specific measures for daytime, evening, and nighttime noise levels, using SoundPlan software for modeling and mapping. Results reveal that noise levels frequently exceed international thresholds, especially in high-traffic areas. However, introducing noise barriers significantly reduces noise levels, particularly at specific measurement points, demonstrating their effectiveness. This underscores the crucial role of noise management strategies in sensitive urban areas and highlights the urgency for proactive interventions to manage noise pollution. The study identifies the need for future research, including long-term studies to assess noise barriers' durability and sustained effectiveness, and the integration of other noise reduction measures such as green infrastructure. Practical applications of this research include informing urban planners and policymakers about effective strategies for mitigating noise pollution and improving public health. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into urban noise management by empirically demonstrating the effectiveness of barrier interventions in reducing noise pollution. It underscores the importance of proactive measures to protect human health and preserve environmental balance in sensitive urban areas. The findings advocate for the broader implementation of noise barriers and other complementary strategies in urban planning to enhance the quality of urban life.

Application of the International Standards for noise insulation assessment of a metamaterial-based ventilated window

In recent years, acoustic metamaterials (AMMs) have been developed to create more ergonomic designs that can be integrated into the built environment. For instance, embedding metamaterials in windows has facilitated effective ventilation and sound insulation. Presently, European standards provide specific guidelines for evaluating the insulation properties of façades, enabling the characterisation of both active and passive noise management solutions to ensure a healthy indoor environment. However, these standards primarily focus on closed partitions, limiting their applicability to noise management open systems. This study employs the ISO 10140 measurement method to assess a vertical metamaterial-based partition, namely an acoustic metawindow (AMW) unit, that, when open, allows noise insulation and ventilation contemporarily. The standardised level difference (Dn,e) is used to assess the performance of the open AMW unit's noise insulation. The results demonstrate the applicability of ISO 10140 for assessing an open AMW unit's performance, showcasing a Dn,e,w = 27 dB in the frequency range 1000-5000 Hz and an improvement over an open standard window ranging from 3 to 15 dB. This initial exploration could pave the way for more inclusive regulations considering ventilated sound-insulating devices as vertical partitions in the built environment and more comprehensive assessment methods for AMMs-based ventilated systems.

Centrifugal pump impeller wheel inspired acoustic metamaterial for low frequency sound absorption

Addressing low-frequency noise is a significant concern within the realm of acoustics and noise management. Labyrinthine channel based acoustic metamaterials have been proved to control low frequency noise using local resonance effect and thermoviscous dissipations. Drawing inspiration from centrifugal pump impeller wheel, an acoustic metamaterial absorber has been devised. The design incorporates impeller vanes to create a channel with variable widths and a micro-perforate panel through which sound wave propagates to the channels. Numerical simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics and experimental analysis are conducted employing Two microphone impedance tube method. Acoustic pressure and acoustic particle velocity distribution plots from numerical simulation study are used to comprehend the sound absorption mechanism. Sound absorption coefficient results reveal that this design offers a tunable sound absorption peak in low frequency regime. Furthermore, this paper discusses the influence of various geometric parameters such as, number of vanes, panel thickness and micro-hole diameter. The subwavelength dimensions of the design contribute to noise control in machineries with space constraints.

Working towards more socially acceptable outcomes from airspace modernisation

The UK is currently undertaking a process of airspace modernisation, which has revealed potentially competing objectives for the management of aircraft noise impacts. Communities at some airports are concerned about the fairness of potential outcomes in terms of changes to the pattern of aircraft noise exposure. This research draws upon in-depth community focus groups where the fairness and equity of different airspace change concepts for a fictitious departure route were discussed using a virtual airport scenario. These discussions revealed a preference of minimal change compared to the existing patterns of noise exposure, where the use of a number above metric (N65) was particularly helpful in allowing participants to understand the implications of different airspace change options on the spatial distribution of noise on the ground. The paper demonstrates how N65 data can be used to summarise the consequences of different airspace change options, supporting stakeholders in assessing the relative distributional fairness of each proposal. Such transparency around the consequences of airspace change proposals enhances informational fairness and can help build trust in the procedural fairness of airspace decision-making leading to more socially acceptable outcomes (or the least socially unacceptable outcomes).

Identification of strategic location for environmental noise control through the application of land use regression (lur) in a neural network platform

The significant causes of rising noise pollution within urban areas lie in extensive transportation networks, industrial operations, and commercial activities. Addressing this complexity, our study employs Land Use Regression (LUR) modelling to assess the intricate relationship between land-use features and environmental noise in urban landscape. The objective of this study is to provide a framework for predicting environmental noise levels in Delhi, India. For which, Lday, Lnight, LAeq, 24h, and Ldn noise descriptors were modelled at daily resolution data from 31 fixed-site monitors. The prediction at first stage for LUR was found to be R2 = 0.53 which was validated using the n-1 method. The model was later optimized using a NN. Output from the NN is included in the GIS environment to identify the hotspot of the noise. Previously identified engineering interventions applicable to urban contexts that were listed from the literature review were allocated as per hotspots because of the modelled output. The study also explored the avenue of using Delhi-specific transport variables developed from Google travel time data for prediction improvement of the noise level. The research contributes to advancement of noise pollution assessment and management methodologies, particularly in situations with no available validated traffic noise models.

Measurement of sound perception to improve the performance of military ships

The performance of military ships relies on the performance of equipment and operators. Acoustic performance of military ships consists of: - the acoustic discretion of the vessel, allowing a strategical advantage in the event of a threat (more specifically: noise and vibrations management of ship sources); - the acoustic comfort of the operators in the ship, allowing better oral communication, better perception of safety alarms and a better focus. These effects can reduce time loss, and prevent operators from making errors. It is therefore important to manage the acoustic environment on board throughout the design process, in order to ensure both the acoustic discretion of the ship and the performance of its operators on board. For several years, Naval Group is interested in optimizing the performance of the operators, coupling both acoustic and visual perceptions through virtual reality (VR). This congress is an opportunity to expose recent works on acoustic perception in a ship. Our results are based on both numerical simulations and experimental measurements.

Impacts of the replacement of distressed pavements by low noise pavements - a case study in Portugal

BRISA is employing efforts to evaluate the pavement influence as a factor of source noise reduction, while studying forms of adjusting the applicability of the CNOSSOS noise prediction method to the reality of the concession road network, in order to comply with European directives about Environmental Noise evaluation and management. This Project evaluates the environmental noise effects of replacing a wearing course of Porous and Betuminous Asphalt at end-of-life for a course of SMA12 and new Betuminous Asphalt. Two methodologies were applied to evaluate Tire-Pavement noise, (i) through Statistical Pass-By and (ii) Close Proximity methods. Using these methodologies, it was possible to evaluate the effect of the intervention and the evolution of the noise in the first few months of the exploration of the layers and to monitor noise performance of the pavements during its entire lifetime. Brisa is challenged to have better pavements knowledge to extend CNOSSOS pavement library and update noise models.

Prediction of sound around shooting ranges

The assessment of sound around shooting ranges can be challenging. On one hand, methods to predict the sound levels around shooting ranges are described in the standard ISO 17201 "Acoustics - Noise from shooting ranges". It consists of measurement and calculation methods to determine the source strength from muzzle blasts or explosives and supersonic projectiles, as well as a method for the sound propagation. The methods to calculate the muzzle and projectile sound are being updated this year. On the other hand, challenges remain to measure the source strength from weapons with a large caliber and the sound emitted from shooting facilities with a complex geometry. These issues and its approach are illustrated. Also, a noise management method is described, as a pilot study, that allows for a flexible use of different weapons for a given period of time, typically a year.

Construction site noise management

In recent years, the number of noise nuisance complaints has increased dramatically. Prominent among these are complaints about noise nuisance from construction sites. Most construction sites are the source of high, repetitive and annoying noise levels. The need for acoustic comfort, on the part of those who live or work in buildings near a construction site, requires that all strategies be implemented within the construction site to ensure that the noise generated is as low as possible. The article describes the approach followed by a recent Italian standard regarding the actions to be taken, by both the client and the contractor, to ensure that the construction site of the work commissioned by the client and realised by the contractor is as quiet as possible. The standard requires that the design of the construction site must include the use of both electrical machines and shielding of proven effectiveness for these applications. The best results can only be seen with a preventive approach. It can be achieved if the Contractor not only understands that the site where he is working requires him to take special care to reduce noise, but also if he demonstrates how he will put everything into good practice.

Development of fully controlled rock crushing method and its vibration impact during rockfall risk reduction at Assos ancient port: Experimental and field studies

Historical sites are vulnerable to significant damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, rockfalls, floods, landslides, and fires. Protecting these invaluable regions necessitates preemptive measures against such disasters. This study delves into the rockfall risk assessment and remediation techniques for Assos, an ancient port with a history spanning over 2000 years. Initially, field surveys were conducted to identify active rockfall potential and precarious blocks within the area. Subsequently, intervention methods were devised, involving the removal of numerous hazardous blocks. A novel approach to rock crushing/breaking was developed specifically for the historical locale, comprising three distinct techniques: Fully Controlled, Splash Controlled, and Free Rock Crushing/Blasting. Additionally, two types of materials, namely Chemical Rock Breaking Powder and Cartridges Containing Pyrotechnic Class Explosives, were employed in refining the method. The subsequent phase of the research aims to evaluate the impact of recorded vibrations on historical artifacts and structures within the ancient site, with a particular focus on potential structural damage. To this end, seven rock crushing/breaking experiments were conducted, employing five different accelerometers strategically placed near the experimental site to measure vibrations in the historical structures. The findings have been analyzed in accordance with international standards, including DIN 4150/3, USBM RI-8507, and the Environmental Noise Assessment and Management Regulation. The assessment specifically scrutinized the condition of historical structures. In summary, during rock crushing operations employing chemical rock crusher powder (W=17 kg), the highest maximum particle velocity recorded at the closest distance to the operation point was 0.031 mm/s. These measurements fell comfortably below the specified damage criterion outlined in the norms. As a result, utilizing this method, over 7500 m³ of hazardous rock blocks were successfully broken and removed from the slope, while concurrently erecting rockfall protection structures. Ultimately, this comprehensive approach led to a reduction in regional rockfall risk, facilitating the safe reopening of Assos to visitors.

Tailored for vehicle horn: A novel sound source capture method

The development of a horn sound capture system, capable of replacing manual control, offers a promising solution for alleviating horn noise. Existing horn sound systems lack localization algorithms that are capable of robustly resisting interference. To address this issue, this paper introduces an innovative horn sound capture system, including hardware and algorithms for sound recognition and localization. The pivotal innovation of the system is the introduction of the Sub-SRP algorithm, an advancement of the steered-response power phase transform (SRP-PHAT). Leveraging the frequency characteristics of horn sounds, it employs a series of filtering and spectral subtraction techniques to effectively filter out non-horn noise sources. In the interference experiment and field test, the Sub-SRP algorithm achieved DOA scores of 0.96 and 0.95, respectively, showing an approximately 10% improvement compared to the existing weighted SRP-PHAT, this improvement is even more pronounced under strong interference, increasing to 17%. This improvement significantly enhances the system’s ability to accurately capture honking vehicles and resist interference. Additionally, the horn sound recognition algorithm achieved accuracy rates of 95.75% and 97.65% in the two experiments, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness. In summary, this study contributes to the advancement of urban noise management and intelligent noise control systems.

Solution-oriented development of the sound environment in industrial workplaces

Objectives. Research literature has not given much evaluation to why the proposed noise control actions in workplaces are not being implemented. There are views of the different personnel groups in the workplace and the reasons why the possibilities for solutions have not been examined. Methods. The companies under study were a welding machine shop, an assembly plant, a heavy steel company and an art glass factory. Noise management was approached by combining the perspectives of technology, acoustics and occupational safety with the examination of sociocultural factors at the workplace level. Results. Noise was not well represented in occupational safety practices. The productivity aspect was strongly emphasized. The use of personal protective equipment created the illusion that everything possible has been done and noise controlled. Conclusion. The study developed a model in which experts in the field of acoustics and sociocultural researchers together evaluated the state and development needs of noise abatement. The results of the project show that successful noise control solutions require a process involving all staff in the workplace.

Calculation of the Point of Application (Centre of Pressure) of Force and Torque Imparted on a Spherical Object from Gyroscope Sensor Data, Using Sports Balls as Practical Examples.

This study investigates the determination of the centre of pressure (COP) on spherical sports objects such as cricket balls and footballs using gyroscope data from Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs). Conventional pressure sensors are not suitable for capturing the tangential forces responsible for torque generation. This research presents a novel method to calculate the COP solely from gyroscope data and avoids the complexity of isolating user-induced accelerations from IMU data. The COP is determined from the cross-product of consecutive torque vectors intersecting the surface of the sphere. Effective noise management techniques, including filtering and data interpolation, were employed to improve COP visualisation. Experiments were conducted using a smart cricket ball and a smart football. Validation tests using spin rates between 7.5 and 12 rps and torques ranging from 0.08 to 0.12 Nm confirmed consistent COP clustering around the expected positions. Further analysis extended to various spin bowling deliveries recorded using a smart cricket ball, and a curved football kick recorded using a smart football demonstrated the wide applicability of the method. The COPs of various spin bowling deliveries showed adjacent positions on the surface of the ball, traversing through backspin, sidespin and topspin, excluding the flipper and doosra deliveries. The calculation of the COP on the surface of the soccer ball could only be achieved by increasing the data sampling frequency sevenfold using curve fitting. Knowledge and use of the COP position offers significant advances in understanding and analysing ball dynamics in sports.

Environmental Sustainability of Pile Construction Activities in Nigeria; Strategies and Best Practices

: Pile construction activities is a multifaceted activity among the construction activities that are performed by heavy machines, materials and energy sources generating environmental impacts associated with pilling activities such as carbon emissions, noise, heavy vibration, soil instability and groundwater pollution. Sustainable piling construction guarantees that the whole piling process meets environmental sustainability and ultimately human health and wellbeing. Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey administered to construction professionals including engineers, project managers, surveyors, and builders. Out of the 50 questionnaires distributed, 41 responses were analyzed. The study employed the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the effectiveness of various strategies in mitigating environmental impacts. The findings underscore the critical role of introducing low-emission machinery and optimizing operational hours in reducing carbon emissions. Noise management was most effectively achieved through alternative pile installation methods combined with regular equipment maintenance. Maintaining adequate setbacks from structures and employing controlled installation techniques were identified as essential strategies to mitigate vibration. Addressing soil instability was found to rely heavily on thorough site investigations and the implementation of effective ground stabilization techniques and preventing groundwater pollution requires the proper use of drilling fluids and diligent site management. These findings contributed to the development of environmentally sustainable practices in pile construction, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive strategies to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of such activities in Nigeria.