RESEARCH PAPER
Exposure to noise of ambulances crews participating in emergency actions – preliminary research
| 1 | Zakład Toksykologii i Ochrony Zdrowia w Środowisku Pracy, Katedry Toksykologii
i Uzależnień, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego w Bytomiu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny
w Katowicach |
| 2 | Studenckie Towarzystwo Naukowe przy Wyższej Szkole Medycznej w Sosnowcu |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Grzegorz Zieliński
Zakład Toksykologii i Ochrony Zdrowia w Środowisku Pracy, Katedry Toksykologii i Uzależnień, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego w Bytomiu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Polska
Zakład Toksykologii i Ochrony Zdrowia w Środowisku Pracy, Katedry Toksykologii i Uzależnień, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego w Bytomiu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Polska
Med Og Nauk Zdr. 2017;23(3):215–219
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
Objective. Noise in the cabs of emergency vehicles during rescue operations can adversely affect the quality and accuracy of medical procedures performed by paramedics, and lead to permanent hearing loss The aim of the study was to assess the exposure to noise in cabs and cabins of ambulances during emergency operations when the sirens were switched on.
Material and methods:
Measurements of sound pressure levels were perfoprmed in four Volkswagen LT 35 ambulances with the use of sound level meter SON – 50 (SONOPAN). Two types of signals (named the wolf and the dog) were measured. To determine the acoustic conditions in emergency vehicles the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level for an 8-hour working day (LEX,8h), maximum A-weighted sound pressure level (LAmax) and C-weighted peak sound pressure level (LCpeak) were measured. Noise levels were measured both in the medical compartment and the driver’s cab of each of the vehicle.
Results:
The levels of noise produced by sound generators for both the wolf and the dog signal frequency modulations in the medical compartment and the driver’s cabs of the vehicles were significantly higher than the acoustic background levels, while there were no significant statistical differences in the measured noise levels between the two signal frequency modulations. Peak sound level LCPeak was 106–110 dB.
Conclusions:
Noise levels measured in ambulances which were involved in rescue operations can hinder the work of rescuers sustaining life and health of transported patients and also impair the concentration of ambulance drivers and affect the safety of the passengers.
Objective. Noise in the cabs of emergency vehicles during rescue operations can adversely affect the quality and accuracy of medical procedures performed by paramedics, and lead to permanent hearing loss The aim of the study was to assess the exposure to noise in cabs and cabins of ambulances during emergency operations when the sirens were switched on.
Material and methods:
Measurements of sound pressure levels were perfoprmed in four Volkswagen LT 35 ambulances with the use of sound level meter SON – 50 (SONOPAN). Two types of signals (named the wolf and the dog) were measured. To determine the acoustic conditions in emergency vehicles the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level for an 8-hour working day (LEX,8h), maximum A-weighted sound pressure level (LAmax) and C-weighted peak sound pressure level (LCpeak) were measured. Noise levels were measured both in the medical compartment and the driver’s cab of each of the vehicle.
Results:
The levels of noise produced by sound generators for both the wolf and the dog signal frequency modulations in the medical compartment and the driver’s cabs of the vehicles were significantly higher than the acoustic background levels, while there were no significant statistical differences in the measured noise levels between the two signal frequency modulations. Peak sound level LCPeak was 106–110 dB.
Conclusions:
Noise levels measured in ambulances which were involved in rescue operations can hinder the work of rescuers sustaining life and health of transported patients and also impair the concentration of ambulance drivers and affect the safety of the passengers.
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