Investigation of the Effects of High- and Low-Frequency Noise on Physiological Responses and Cognitive Functions in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Field Study

Hemmatjo, Rasoul; Rostami, Rouhollah; Hajaghazadeh, Mohammad; Allahyari, Teymour

doi:10.52547/johe.8.3.27

Volume 8, Issue 3 (Autumn 2021) johe 2021, 8(3): 27-39 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.52547/johe.8.3.27

Mendeley

Zotero

RefWorks

Hemmatjo R, Rostami R, Hajaghazadeh M, Allahyari T. Investigation of the Effects of High- and Low-Frequency Noise on Physiological Responses and Cognitive Functions in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Field Study. johe 2021; 8 (3) :27-39
URL: http://johe.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-688-en.html

Investigation of the Effects of High- and Low-Frequency Noise on Physiological Responses and Cognitive Functions in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Field Study

Rasoul Hemmatjo¹

, Rouhollah Rostami ^*

², Mohammad Hajaghazadeh¹

, Teymour Allahyari¹

1- Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 2 Master student of Occupational Health Engineering, Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2- Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 2 Master student of Occupational Health Engineering, Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , rohalahrostami9273@gmail.com

Abstract: (3045 Views)

Background and Objective: Workers in many industries, such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, cement, steel, glass, and textile, as well as people at home and offices, are exposed to various noises with different frequencies, causing hearing and non-hearing impairments. The present study aimed to assess the effect of noise at different frequencies on physiological responses and cognitive functions of the personnel working in the oil drilling industry and urban gas pressure reducing stations.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 50 employees of oil drilling rigs (low-frequency noise) and urban gas pressure reducing stations (high-frequency noise) in 2019. The examined physiological parameters included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as tympanic body temperature. The participants' cognitive functions were assessed using an advanced reaction timer, continuous performance, and working memory tests before, during and, after the activities.
Results: Based on the obtained results, exposure to noise at high and low frequencies increased physiological responses, including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and tympanic temperature, and this increase was statistically significant (P<0.001). Moreover, exposure to noise has a negative effect on cognitive functions (such as working memory, sustained attention, and advanced reaction timer).
Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of the present study, low-frequency noise had a greater effect on physiological responses and cognitive function, as compared to high-frequency noise. Nonetheless, further research is suggested to be conducted in the industry in this area in the future.

Keywords: High-frequency Noise, Low-frequency Noise, Physiological Parameters, Cognitive Performance, Oil and Gas Industry

Full-Text [PDF 1563 kb] (856 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research Article | Subject: Physical agents

References

1. Zare S, Nassiri P, Monazzam MR, Pourbakht A, Azam K, Golmohammadi T, et al. Evaluation of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) among workers at an Industrial Company exposed to different industrial noise levels in 2014. Electron Physician. 2015;7(3):1126-1134. [DOI] [PubMed]

2. KeikhaMoghaddam AA. Ergonomic assessment methods Selection and Application Guide. Tehran: Fannavaran. 2012;1:145-69.

3. Golmohammadi R. Noise and vibration Engineering: Daneshjoo Press. Hamadan, student publication. 2019:157. https://www.who.int/.

4. Concha-Barrientos M, Steenland K, Prüss-Üstün A, Campbell-Lendrum DH, Corvalán CF, Woodward A, et al. Occupational noise: assessing the burden of disease from work-related hearing impairment at national and local levels. World Health Organization. 2004:1-33.

5. Smith A. Noise, performance efficiency and safety. Int Arch Occup Environ Health.1990;62(1):1-5. [DOI] [PubMed]

6. Ishiyama T, Hashimoto T. The impact of sound quality on annoyance caused by road traffic noise: an influence of frequency spectra on annoyance. JSAE Rev. 2000;21(2):225-30. [DOI]

7. Landström U, Åkerlund E, Kjellberg A, Tesarz M. Exposure levels, tonal components, and noise annoyance in working environments. Environ Int. 1995;21(3):265-75. [DOI]

8. Belojevic G, Slepcevic V, Jakovljevic B. Mental performance in noise: The role of introversion. J Environ Psychol. 2001;21(2):209-13. [DOI]

9. Stansfeld SA, Matheson MP. Noise pollution: non-auditory effects on health. Br Med Bull. 2003;68(1):243-57. [DOI] [PubMed]

10. Abbasi M, Monazzam Esmaielpour M, Akbarzadeh A, Zakerian SA, Ebrahimi MH. Investigation of the effects of wind turbine noise annoyance on the sleep disturbance among workers of Manjil wind farm. Saf Health Work. 2015;5(3):51-62.

11. Gholami T, Piran Veyseh P, Aliabadi M, Farhadian M. Evaluation of noise pollution and its effects on subjective fatigue of staffs in the governmental banks of Hamadan city. Iran Occup Health. 2014;11(5):65-73.

12. Pawlaczyk-łuszczyńska M, Dudarewicz A, Waszkowska M, Śliwińska-kowalska M. Assessment of annoyance from low frequency and broadband noises. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2003;16(4):337-43. [PubMed]

13. Leventhall G, Pelmear P, Benton S. A review of published research on low frequency noise and its effects. Project Report London: Defra. 2003.

14. Raffaello M, Maass A. Chronic exposure to noise in industry: The effects on satisfaction, stress symptoms, and company attachment. Environ Behav. 2002;34(5):651-71. [DOI]

15. King RP, Davis JR. Community noise: Health effects and management. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2003;206(2):123-31. [DOI]

16. Leather P, Beale D, Sullivan L. Noise, psychosocial stress and their interaction in the workplace. J Environ Psychol. 2003;23(2):213-22. [DOI]

17. Wallenius MA. The interaction of noise stress and personal project stress on subjective health. J Environ Psychol. 2004;24(2):167-77. [DOI]

18. Fouladi DB, Nassiri P, Monazzam EM, Farahani S, Hassanzadeh G, Hoseini M, et al. Industrial noise exposure and salivary cortisol in blue collar industrial workers. Noise Health. 2012;14(59):184-9 [DOI] [PubMed]

19. Seixas NS, Neitzel R, Stover B, Sheppard L, Feeney P, Mills D, et al. 10-Year prospective study of noise exposure and hearing damage among construction workers. Occup Environ Med. 2012;69(9):643-50. [DOI] [PubMed]

20. Schmidt FP, Basner M, Kröger G, Weck S, Schnorbus B, Muttray A, et al. Effect of nighttime aircraft noise exposure on endothelial function and stress hormone release in healthy adults. Eur Heart J. 2013;34(45):3508-14. [DOI] [PubMed]

21. Abbasi M, Monnazzam MR, Zakerian S, Yousefzadeh A. Effect of wind turbine noise on workers' sleep disorder: a case study of Manjil wind farm in northern Iran. Fluctuation and Noise Letters. 2015;14(02):1550020. [DOI]

22. Abbasi M, Monazzam MR, Ebrahimi MH, Zakerian SA, Dehghan SF, Akbarzadeh A, et al. Assessment of noise effects of wind turbine on the general health of staff at wind farm of Manjil, Iran. J Low Freq Noise Vib Act Control. 2016;35(1):91-8. [DOI]

23. Zamanian Z, Rostami R, Hasanzadeh J, Hashemi H. The effect of occupational noise exposure on blood pressure and heart rate among workers of a steel industry. Journal of Health. 2015;5(4):355-60.

24. Rossi L, Prato A, Lesina L, Schiavi A. Effects of low-frequency noise on human cognitive performances in laboratory. Building Acoustics. 2018;25(1):17-33. [DOI]

25. Walker ED, Brammer A, Cherniack MG, Laden F, Cavallari JM. Cardiovascular and stress responses to short-term noise exposures—A panel study in healthy males. Environmental research. 2016;150:391-7. [DOI] [PubMed]

26. Broner N. The effects of low frequency noise on people—a review. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 1978;58(4):483-500. [DOI]

27. Landström U, Kjellberg A, Söderberg L, Nordström B. The effects of broadband, tonal and masked ventilation noise on performance, wakefulness and annoyance. J Low Freq Noise Vib. 1991;10(4):112-22. [DOI]

28. Alimohammadi I, Hajizadeh R, Mehri A, Sajedifar J, Sadat S, Gholampoor J, et al. The impact of traffic noise on mental performance considering complexity of activities. Saf Health Work. 2015;5(4):37-46.

29. Mehri A, Alimohammadi I, Ebrahimi H, Hajizadeh R, Roudbari M. Effect of traffic noise on mental performance with regard to introversion and task complexity. Applied Acoustics. 2018;132:118-23.

30. Kurakata K, Mizunami T, Matsushita K. Sensory unpleasantness of high-frequency sounds. Acoust Sci Technol. 2013;34(1):26-33. DOI: 10.1250/ast.34.26

31. Basner M, Babisch W, Davis A, Brink M, Clark C, Janssen S, et al. Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health. The lancet. 2014;383(9925):1325-32. [DOI] [PubMed]

32. Reinhold K, Kalle S, Paju J. Exposure to high or low frequency noise at workplaces: differences between assessment, health complaints and implementation of adequate personal protective equipment. Agron Res. 2014;12(3):895-906.

33. Chang T-Y, Liu C-S, Huang K-H, Chen R-Y, Lai J-S, Bao B-Y,et al. High-frequency hearing loss, occupational noise exposure and hypertension: a cross-sectional study in male workers. Environ Health. 2011;10(1):35. [DOI] [PubMed]

34. Alimohamadi I, Soltani R, Azkhosh M, Gohari M, Moosavi B. Study of role extroversion of caused by traffic noise on mental function of the students. Iran Occup Health.2011;7(4):1-11.

35. Aliabadi M, Mahdavi N, Farhadian M, Shafie Motlagh M. Evaluation of noise pollution and acoustic comfort in the classrooms of Hamadan University of medical sciences in 2012. Iran J Ergon. 2013;1(2):19-27.

36. Jafari M, Kazempour M. Mental processing of human subjects with different individual characters exposed to Low Frequency Noise. Int J Occup Hyg. 2013;5(2):64-70.

37. Gawron VJ. Performance effects of noise intensity, psychological set, and task type and complexity. Hum Factors. 1982;24(2):225-43. [DOI] [PubMed]

38. Chraif M. The effects of radio noise in multiple time reaction tasks for young students. Hum Factors .2012;33:1057-62. [DOI] [PubMed]

39. Jafari MJ, Kazempour M. Mental processing of human subjects with different individual characters exposed to Low Frequency Noise. 2013.

40. Costa S, Arezes P. Comparison between occupational noise measurement strategies: why is it important? Work. 2012;41:2971-3. [DOI]

41. Abbasi AM, Motamedzade M, Aliabadi M, Golmohammadi R, Tapak L. Study of the physiological and mental health effects caused by exposure to low-frequency noise in a simulated control room. Build Acoust. 2018;25(3):233-48. [DOI]

42. Kirchner WK. Age differences in short-term retention of rapidly changing information. Q J Exp Psychol. 1958;55(4):352. [DOI]

43. Ising H, Michalak R. Stress effects of noise in a field experiment in comparison to reactions to short term noise exposure in the laboratory. Noise Health. 2004;6(24):1-7. [PubMed]

44. Babisch W. Stress hormones in the research on cardiovascular effects of noise. Noise health. 2003;5(18):1-11. [PubMed]

45. Fogari R, Zoppi A, Vanasia A, Marasi G, Villa G. Occupational noise exposure and blood pressure. J Hypertens. 1994;12(4):475-80. [PubMed]

46. Sim CS, Sung JH, Cheon SH, Lee JM, Lee JW, Lee J, et al. The effects of different noise types on heart rate variability in men. Yonsei Med J. 2015;56(1):235-43. [DOI] [PubMed]

47. Motamedzade M, Ghazaiee S. Combined effects of noise and shift work on workers’ physiological parameters in a chemical industry. Avicenna J Clin Med. 2003;10(1):39-46.

48. Khan ZA, Rizvi SAH. A study on the effect of human laterality, type of computer and noise on operators’ performance of a data entry task. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2009;15(1):53-60. [DOI] [PubMed]

49. Brand N, Schneider N, Arntz P. Information processing efficiency and noise. Interactions with personal rigidity. Pers Individ. 1995;18(5):571-9. [DOI]

50. Staal MA. Stress, cognition, and human performance: A literature review and conceptual framework. Nasa. 2004:1-177.

51. Alimohammadi I, Ebrahimi H. Comparison between effects of low and high frequency noise on mental performance. Appl Acoust. 2019;10(5):515-526. [DOI] [PubMed]

52. Park Jr JF, Payne Jr MC. Effects of noise level and difficulty of task in performing division. Am J Appl Psychol. 1963;47(6):367. [DOI]

53. Wu T-N, Huang J-T, Chou PF, Chang P-Y. Effects of noise exposure and task demand on cardiovascular function. Int Arch Occup Environ Healt. 1988;60(2):99-105. [DOI] [PubMed]

54. Finkelman JM, Zeitlin LR, Romoff RA, Friend MA, Brown LS. Conjoint effect of physical stress and noise stress on information processing performance and cardiac response. Human Factors. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1979;21(1):1-6. [DOI] [PubMed]

55. Beheshti M, Koohpaei A, Mousavian Z, Mehri A, Zia G, Tajpour A, et al. The effect of sound with 56 56 different frequencies on selective attention and human response time. Iran Occup Health. 2018;15(3):118-28.

56. Jahncke H, Hygge S, Halin N, Green AM, Dimberg K. Open-plan office noise: Cognitive performance and restoration. J Environ Psychol. 2011;31(4):373-82. [DOI]

57. Monteiro R, Tomé D, Neves P, Silva D, Rodrigues MA. The interactive effect of occupational noise on attention and short-term memory: A pilot study. Noise Health. 2018;20(96):190-198. [DOI] [PubMed]

Send email to the article author

Rights and permissions
	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb