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Evaluating an 80 Hz tonal noise from a hydropower plant

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Wallner P., Hutter H.-P., Moshammer H.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2019

vol. 32

issue 3

401-411

A pumped storage power plant produces significant noise such that adjacent areas were deemed uninhabitable for the local population. In recent years, the population in the area has increased, and the noise levels are now causing significant distress to the local population. The company operating the power plant and a citizens’ initiative have both commissioned noise measurements. The measurements showed that the continuous pump noise was audible over many kilometers. The A-weighted sound-pressure level of 50 dBA at the next residential area underestimates the perceived noise, given the clear tonal nature in the low frequency range. Interviews of the exposed population, together with detailed “annoyance diaries” by a sample of the residents, proved their high level of annoyance. Their reported observations on distress and sleep disturbances coincide with the time course of the pumping operation. The pumping noise leads to annoyance in a large area, and to considerable nuisance in a smaller one. For the most exposed homes, long-term exposure might be considered a health hazard due to stress and disturbances in sleep quality. Therefore, the operator committed to developing a technical noise control plan. This case shows that a scientific approach within a complex environmental noise problem can foster an agreement about noise protection measures. However, this can only be successful if all involved parties participate in the process. Pilot studies are underway to test the impact of damping material layers on the pipes, the housing of the pipes, and the kind of air vessel solutions between the pumps and the pipes. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(3):401–11

Semivolatile compounds in schools and their influence on cognitive performance of children

51%

Hutter H.-P., Haluza D., Piegler K., Hohenblum P., Fröhlich M., Scharf S., Uhl M., Damberger B., Tappler P., Kundi M., Wallner P., Moshammer H.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2013

vol. 26

issue 4

628-635

Objectives: WHO's Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) focuses on improvements of indoor environments where children spend most of their time. To investigate the relationship between school indoor air pollutants and cognitive performance in elementary school children, a multidisciplinary study was planned in all-day schools in Austria. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study (LuKi study: Air and Children) indoor air pollutants were monitored in nine elementary all-day schools in urban and rural regions of Austria. In addition, school dust and suspended particulates ($\text{PM}_\text{10}$, $\text{PM}_\text{2.5}$) were measured, focusing on semivolatile compounds (e.g. phthalates, phosphororganic compounds [POC]). Health status and environmental conditions were determined by parents' questionnaire, cognitive function was measured by Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM). Results: Overall, 596 children (6-8 years of age) were eligible for the study. Cognitive tests were performed in 436 children. Analysis showed significant correlations of tris(2-chlorethyl)-phosphate (TCEP) in $\text{PM}_\text{10}$ and $\text{PM}_\text{2.5}$ and school dust samples with cognitive performance. Cognitive performance decreased with increasing concentrations of TCEP. Furthermore, cognitive function decreased significantly with increasing CO₂ levels. Conclusions: POC are widely used as plasticizers, flame retardants and floor sealing. This is the first report of a correlation between TCEP in indoor air samples and impairment of cognitive performance in school children. As a precautionary measure, it is recommended to prohibit the use of toxic chemicals and those suspected of a toxic potential in children's environments such as schools.

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2 International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2 Hutter H.-P.

2 Moshammer H.

2 Wallner P.

1 Damberger B.

1 Fröhlich M.

1 Haluza D.

1 Hohenblum P.

1 Kundi M.

1 Piegler K.

1 Scharf S.

1 Tappler P.

1 Uhl M.

1 2019

1 2013

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Evaluating an 80 Hz tonal noise from a hydropower plant

Semivolatile compounds in schools and their influence on cognitive performance of children