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- Ageborg Morsing, Julia, et al.
(author)
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Wind Turbine Noise and Sleep: Pilot Studies on the Influence of Noise Characteristics
- 2018
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 15:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The number of onshore wind turbines in Europe has greatly increased over recent years, a trend which can be expected to continue. However, the effects of wind turbine noise on long-term health outcomes for residents living near wind farms is largely unknown, although sleep disturbance may be a cause for particular concern. Presented here are two pilot studies with the aim of examining the acoustical properties of wind turbine noise that might be of special relevance regarding effects on sleep. In both pilots, six participants spent five consecutive nights in a sound environment laboratory. During three of the nights, participants were exposed to wind turbine noise with variations in sound pressure level, amplitude modulation strength and frequency, spectral content, turbine rotational frequency and beating behaviour. The impact of noise on sleep was measured using polysomnography and questionnaires. During nights with wind turbine noise there was more frequent awakening, less deep sleep, less continuous N2 sleep and increased subjective disturbance compared to control nights. The findings indicated that amplitude modulation strength, spectral frequency and the presence of strong beats might be of particular importance for adverse sleep effects. The findings will be used in the development of experimental exposures for use in future, larger studies.
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| 3. |
- Bartels, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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The impact of nocturnal road traffic noise, bedroom window orientation, and work-related stress on subjective sleep quality: results of a cross-sectional study among working women.
- 2021
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In: International archives of occupational and environmental health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 94, s. 1523-1536
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To examine the effect of work-related stress and road noise exposure on self-rated sleep and potential additive interaction effects.Sleep and predictor variables were surveyed within two subsamples with 2191 and 1764 working women in a cross-sectional study. Sleep was assessed using a single question on general sleep quality and four questions on specific sleep problems and subsequently dichotomized (poor sleep vs. no poor sleep). Work-related stress was operationalized by job strain and effort-reward imbalance. Nocturnal exposure to road traffic noise was assessed as (a) the orientation of the bedroom window to a quiet façade vs. a low-, medium- or high-trafficked street and (b) energy-equivalent sound pressure levels for night-time modelled at the most exposed façade (Lnight). We distinguished between low (<45dB(A)), medium (45-50dB(A)) and high exposure (>50dB(A)).Poor sleep was associated with job strain and effort-reward imbalance. The prevalence of poor sleep did not increase with increasing Lnight, but bedroom window orientation showed a non-significant trend. A quiet façade had a protective effect on sleep in each Lnight category. We found a non-significant trend for an additive interaction between bedroom window orientation and job strain.Noise levels modelled for the most exposed façade likely overestimate the actual exposure and thus may not be a precise predictor of poor sleep. Bedroom window orientation seems more relevant. Potential additive interaction effects between bedroom window orientation and job strain should be considered when interpreting epidemiological study results on noise-induced sleep disturbances.
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| 5. |
- Bengtsson, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Evaluations of effects due to low-frequency noise in a low demanding work situation
- 2004
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In: Journal of Sound and Vibration. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-460X .- 1095-8568. ; 278:1-2, s. 83-99
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Noise sources with a dominating content of low frequencies (20-200 Hz) are found in many occupational environments. This study aimed to evaluate effects of moderate levels of low-frequency noise on attention, tiredness and motivation in a low demanding work situation. Two ventilation noises at the same A-weighted sound pressure level of 45 dB were used: one of a low-frequency character and one of a flat frequency character (reference noise). Thirty-eight female subjects worked with six performance tasks for 4 h in the noises in a between-subject design. Most of the tasks were monotonous and routine in character. Subjective reports were collected using questionnaires and cortisol levels were measured in saliva. The major finding in this study was that low-frequency noise negatively influenced performance on two tasks sensitive to reduced attention and on a proof-reading task. Performances of tasks aimed at evaluating motivation were not significantly affected. The difference in work performance was not reflected by the subjective reports. No effect of noise was found on subjective stress or cortisol levels.
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| 6. |
- Bengtsson, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Sound characteristics in low frequency noise and their relevance for the perception of pleasantness
- 2004
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In: Acta Acoustica. ; 90:1, s. 171-180
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Noise sources with a dominant content of low frequencies (20-200 Hz) are found in many occupational environments. Work efficiency has been found in two earlier studies to be impaired to a larger degree when working in a low frequency ventilation noise than when working in a flat frequency ventilation noise at the same A-weighted sound pressure level. Other previous studies indicate that different sound characteristics found in low frequency noise are important for the way in which low frequency noise affects humans, and better knowledge of these characteristics could lead to better methods for assessing low frequency noise in occupational environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of frequency balance between low and high frequencies, which affects the slope of the frequency spectra, and the modulation frequency on subjects´ perception of a pleasant low frequency noise. The results showed that the subjects preferred either a higher or a lower modulation frequency as compared to that of the original low frequency noise, both choices leading to less perceivable modulations. Furthermore, the subjects preferred a lower relative content of frequencies below 500 Hz, but only as long as the original low frequency noise contained modulations and the variations were made within a constant A-weighted sound pressure level. The results are discussed in relation to improved guidelines and to the previously suggested theory of slope of the frequency spectra and problems involved with the implementation of that theory.
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| 7. |
- Bengtsson Ryberg, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Low frequency noise in a paper mill control room
- 2007
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In: Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control. - : SAGE Publications. - 0263-0923 .- 1461-3484 .- 2048-4046. ; 26:3, s. 165-176
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This field study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of annoyance and disturbance and the subjective perception of the sound environment due to noise, in an old and a new control room at a large paper mill. Working in a control room requires sustained attention and concentration and, in the case of error messages, rapid and correct decisions. In this study, the personnel's responses were collected by questionnaire, and detailed sound measurements were taken in both control rooms. The A-weighted sound pressure level in the new control room was 54.9 dB, a reduction from the 63.5 dB measured in the old room, and the C-weighted sound pressure level was 66.8 dB, a reduction from the 75.2 dB measured in the old room. The new control room was rated as being a less noisy environment; however, the personnel did complain about noise from other computers/equipment, radios, and the new laboratory.
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| 8. |
- Bengtsson Ryberg, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Low frequency noise in a paper mill control room
- 2004
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In: The 11th International Meeting on Low Frequency Noise and Vibration and its Control, 2004 30 August-1 September, Maastricht, The Netherlands. ; , s. 15-25
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
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