Iran Occupational Health

  Background and Objective : Noise is considered as a common occupational health hazard in a wide range of occupational settings including oil and gas industries and related companies. This research aimed to assess the environmental noise and personal exposure in a petrochemical plant.

  Method: First, environmental noise measurement was performed as recommended by ISO9612 (1997) and next, short-term dosimetery was conducted for a 2-hour sampling period, during which individuals worked at Site .Then 4-hour dose was calculated based on 2-hour dose ,and finally 8-hour equivalent level was estimated by 4-hour dose and equivalent sound levels were measured in the resting rooms .

  Results : The results showed that 8.8% of total stations measured have been in the danger zone and more than 74% of them were in the caution zone. It was found that the Air unit has the higher sound pressure level than the other units and Compression part of Air unit with a mean of 93.28 dB A and the peak level of 101.2 dB A has the highest noise level recorded. According to personal noise dosimetry results, the 8-hour equivalent level in Water, Air and Powerhouse was 81.7, 89.2 . and 82.5 . dB A respectively.

  Conclusion : The results of environmental and personal noise monitoring suggested that Air unit has the most noise pollution in the petrochemical plant. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the dominant sources of noise and prioritize different units to control the noise pollution of the industry.