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Observational Study
. 2019 Mar 13;14(3):e0213722.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213722. eCollection 2019.

Noise levels in general pediatric facilities: A health risk for the staff?

Peter Voitl  1   2   3 , Christian Sebelefsky  1 , Christoph Mayrhofer  3 , Astrid Woditschka  1 , Verena Schneeberger  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Noise levels in general pediatric facilities: A health risk for the staff?

Peter Voitl et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

This study was initiated to investigate noise levels in general pediatric facilities. Although occupational noise limits of 85dBA for LAeq,8h (daily noise exposure) and 140dBC for LCpeak (peak sound level) have proven to prevent hearing loss, even low levels of continuous noise (45dBA and above) can cause adverse health effects (ISO = International Organization for Standardization, A = Austrian VOLV). The sound level measurements of LAeq (equivalent sound level) and LCpeak were conducted with a decibel meter in the examination rooms (EXR) and waiting rooms (WR) of 10 general pediatric practices and outpatient clinics in the city of Vienna, Austria. LAeq,8h was calculated from LAeq, and independent variables with a potential influence on noise levels were also examined. In EXR, the random sample consisted of 5 to 11 measuring periods per facility (mean: 7.1 ± 1.9) with a total duration between 43.85 and 98.45 min. (total: 10:19:04). With LAeq ranging from 67.2 to 80.2dBA, specific recommended limits were exceeded considerably (ISO: 45dBA; A: 50dBA). In WR, the random sample comprised 5 to 18 measurements per facility (mean: 13.7 ± 5.0) with a total duration ranging from 25 to 90 min. (total: 11:25:00). The values for LAeq were between 60.6dBA and 67.0dBA. All of these significantly exceeded recommended limits of 55dBA (ISO) and 5 out of 10 exceeded 65dBA (A). LCpeak reached 116.1dBC in WR and 114.1dBC in EXR. The highest calculated daily noise exposure of pediatricians (LAeq,8h) was 79dBA. Although no significantly increased risk for hearing loss can be concluded from our findings, it must be assumed that noise levels in general pediatrics have the potential to cause stress and associated health issues. Further research is necessary to foster the recognition of noise-related health impairments of pediatric staff as occupational diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Equivalent sound levels (LAeq) in examination rooms.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Peak sound levels (LCpeak) in examination rooms.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Types of peak sound level events and their frequencies.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Age groups of pediatric patients and their specific average LAeq (examination rooms).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Equivalent sound levels (LAeq) and median number of pediatric patients in waiting rooms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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