Noise dosimeter measurements in the Air Force.
Personal noise dosimeter monitoring devices, operating on the Air Force rule of 4 dB per doubling time and 84 dB(A) criterion level, have been used for the past year in determining the occupational noise exposures of Air Force personnel working in hazardously noisy jobs. The research conducted by the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory has resulted to date in 418 8-h occupational noise exposure measurements being collected on 120 different individuals. The 8-h occupational noise levels ranged from 66-111 dB(A) with the median level at 84.5 dB(A). In addition, noise dosimeters have been used at Air Force bases across the country in an experimental effort to see how well their use would fit in with existing Air Force hearing conservation programs. A total of 567 noise data measurements have been received from various bases. The base response data noise exposures ranged from 60-101 dB(A) with a median level of 80.1 dB(A). Along with the 8-h occupational noise exposure study, 16 individuals wore an equal energy noise dosimeter for 24-h or more to determine their nonoccupational noise exposure. A total of 73 separate 24-h measurements were taken. The median daily A-weighted average sound level was 77 dB(A). This is only 2 dB higher than the median of 75 dB(A) found for the typical American by previous studies. Some of the merits of noise dosimeters, as well as some of the problems involved in setting up ongoing noise monitoring programs, are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D009622:Noise; D009623:Noise, Occupational; D014481:United States