Industrial Noise Pollution and Its Impact on the Hearing Capacity of Workers: A Case Study of Gujranwala City, Pakistan

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate the impacts of industrial noise pollution on hearing of workers in Gujranwala. Noise pollution levels were measured at fifty locations with the help of sound level meter, which was placed at a height above 1.2 meters from the ground. Two hundred workers were interviewed through questionnaire method. Different statistical tests correlation and chi-square were applied to analyze the noise pollution level in Gujranwala city. Impacts of industrial noise pollution on hearing of workers were shown in different maps using interpolation and buffers. The present study concluded that noise pollution levels were exceeding the WHO permissible limit of noise pollution at all sample locations. Workers of factories were suffering from annoyance, hypertension, irritation, interference with speech communication and sleep disturbance. Thus, it is necessary to possess a hearing discussion program in factories. One of its main parts is education to raise the consciousness of workers about noise risks and techniques of prevention. Lastly, the issues of noise annoyance should be included in all future studies on the usage of hearing protection devices.