@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 1735-7667 Iranian Journal of Military Medicine 2012;14(2):149-154
ISSN: 1735-7667 Iranian Journal of Military Medicine 2012;14(2):149-154
Tractor drivers and bystanders noise exposure in different engine speeds and gears
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Original ResearchAuthors
Monazzam M. R. (1)Nadri F. ()
Khanjani N. (2)
Ghotbi Ravandi M. R. (2)
Nadri H. (3)
Barsam T. (2)
Shamsi M. (4)
Akbari H. (5)
Akbari H. (5, 6)
() Faculty of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
(1) Faculty of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
(2) Faculty of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
(3) Faculty of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
(4) Agriculture College, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
(5) Health and Nutrition Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
(5, 6) Department of HSE, Faculty of Energy & Environment, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence
Address:Phone:
Fax:
Nadrifarshad64@gmail.com
Article History
Received: March 12, 2011Accepted: July 31, 2011
ePublished:
ABSTRACT
Aims
Tractors are one of the most important sources of noise exposure in agriculture. This study aimed to investigate noise exposure in Romanian tractor drivers and bystanders’ when it’s operating at different engine speeds and gears.
Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on Romanian tractor (M-650) available in agriculture college field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2011. According to international standards a 20m×3m field was chosen and then the noise levels for two positions, the driver’s ear and bystanders, were measured in two conditions, fixed (neutral) and moving (at different gears and engine speeds). To define the characteristics of the tractor’s noise, frequency analysis was also performed. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistical methods using Excel software.
Results While working in place, bystanders near the exhaust had the highest noise exposure and an increase in engine speed from 850 to 1700 rounds per minute led to an increase in noise for the driver’s ear from an average of 5.8 to 9.3dB and for the bystanders from an average of 2.3 to 10.3dB. The mean sound level at lower frequencies was higher than middle and high frequencies.
Conclusion When the tractor is moving, at 850 rounds per minute the driver’s exposure to noise in all gears is less than standard, but at 1700 rounds per minute the noise level is higher than the Iranian and ACGIH standard and controlling measures seems to be necessary.
Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on Romanian tractor (M-650) available in agriculture college field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2011. According to international standards a 20m×3m field was chosen and then the noise levels for two positions, the driver’s ear and bystanders, were measured in two conditions, fixed (neutral) and moving (at different gears and engine speeds). To define the characteristics of the tractor’s noise, frequency analysis was also performed. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistical methods using Excel software.
Results While working in place, bystanders near the exhaust had the highest noise exposure and an increase in engine speed from 850 to 1700 rounds per minute led to an increase in noise for the driver’s ear from an average of 5.8 to 9.3dB and for the bystanders from an average of 2.3 to 10.3dB. The mean sound level at lower frequencies was higher than middle and high frequencies.
Conclusion When the tractor is moving, at 850 rounds per minute the driver’s exposure to noise in all gears is less than standard, but at 1700 rounds per minute the noise level is higher than the Iranian and ACGIH standard and controlling measures seems to be necessary.
CITATION LINKS