Noise exposure assessment of non-coal mining workers in four provinces of China

Xin Wang; Ning Kang; Yiwen Dong; Kai Liu; Kang Ning; Hongying Bian; Feng Han; Yongqing Chen; Meng Ye

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1055618

Noise exposure assessment of non-coal mining workers in four provinces of China

Front Public Health. 2023 Jan 9:10:1055618. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1055618. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Xin Wang¹, Ning Kang¹, Yiwen Dong¹, Kai Liu², Kang Ning³, Hongying Bian¹, Feng Han¹, Yongqing Chen¹, Meng Ye¹

Affiliations

¹ National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
² National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Beijing, China.
³ Liaoning Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang, China.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to understand the noise exposure of non-coal mines in China to take appropriate controls to protect workers' health.

Methods: An assessment of non-coal miners' noise exposures was conducted in four provinces in China. Individual noise exposure levels were measured, and the survey on the hearing protector device (HPD) equipment was administered.

Results: 423 noise dosimeter measurements were obtained, including drilling, blasting, ore drawing, transportation, winching, crushing, screening and ball milling, and auxiliary (air pressure, pump, and maintenance). A total of 31.9% of the individual noise levels (L_EX,8h) exceeded 85 dB(A), and the median dosages of non-coal miners with high noise exposure were: excavation workers-89.1 dB(A), mill operators-88.7 dB(A), and crusher operators-87.0 dB(A). The noise dose of underground mine workers is higher than that of surface mine workers (P < 0.001). A total of 53.7% of non-coal mining enterprises are not equipped with HPD for workers, mainly small and micro enterprises.

Conclusions: High levels of hazardous noise exposure are typical in non-coal mines. Noise exposure data can help to develop more feasible noise controls.

Keywords: HPD; exposure; individual noise; non-coal mine; position.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

China
Humans
Mining*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81472956, 30972449) and by the Occupational Health Risk Assessment and National Occupational Health Standard Setting Project (131031109000150003, 131031109000150004) of the National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.