Running Head NOISE CONTROL; RADON AND UV-RADIATIO Essays - Health

Running Head: NOISE CONTROL; RADON AND UV-RADIATION TUI UNIVERSITY Timothy N. Tarrant Module 5: BHE 314 Environmental Health and Safety Dr. Rania Sabty-Daily 15 September 2008 Abstract The first purpose of this paper is to discuss the public health effects that may result in a community exposed to noise produced by a night club and to describe the restrictions you would I would recommend the city requires the new nightclub meets before granting an approval. The following scenario will be used: I have been notified that there is a case before City Council to approve a new nightclub in my neighborhood. The club owners have a reputation for being insensitive to those who live nearby in the community. The second purpose of this paper is to identify potential human health risks associated with living in a home where radon gas levels may be high. Additionally, I will identify methods available to test for radon gas in the home and list corrective/remediation measures that can be taken to reduce radon levels in the home. The following scenario will be used: Radon gas emits Alpha particles which may cause lung cancer if inhaled by an individual. Friends of yours are purchasing a new home in an area where you understand that radon gas may be common. NOISE CONTROL Almost everyone is familiar with water and air pollution and the environmental concerns associated with them. However, noise pollution is also of concern as our cities continue to grow at an alarming rate. It seams as if whenever you venture out into the public you are forced to endure a variety of community noises. Have you ever sat down to enjoy dinner or a movie and have been interrupted by the sound of a loud train or plane? Well, these deep rumblings are similar to the sounds that will be produced by the nightclub that wants to operate within our community. "Some types of indoor concerts and discotheques can produce extremely high sound pressure levels. Associated noise problems outdoors result from customers arriving and leaving. Outdoor concerts, fireworks and various types of festivals can also produce intense noise. The general problem of access to festivals and leisure activity sites often adds to road traffic noise problems. Severe hearing impairment may also arise from intense sound produced as music in headphones or from children's toys." (WHO, 1999) Hearing impairment is the most often thought about health effect from noise pollution; however, there is a variety of health effects on the human body associated with increased noise emissions that people don't think about. These effects include: stress, hypertension, changes in heart rate, hypercholesterolemia, and/or excessive secretion of hormones. Noise also disturbs sleep, upsets our mental health, and even poses a danger to childhood development. Arlene L. Bronzaft, a member of the New York's Council on the Environment, stated, "I get many calls related to noise and most assuredly these people are very much troubled by the noises, whether from a loud, noisy neighborhood bar or a neighbor who refuses to keep the stereo low. The anguish these people express clearly speaks to a "poorer stat of mind." (Bronzaft, 1996) People exposed to noise during the night often turn to the use of sedatives or sleeping pills to fall asleep. Individuals in the community that are especially prone to sleep disturbances from noises that may emanate from a nightclub include the elderly and shift workers. (WHO, 1999) My recommendations to the City Council would be to recommend approval of the license for the operation of the nightclub only if they comply with certain restrictions. First and foremost I would recommend that the club is designed to be soundproof to inside noise so that noise that escapes the club will be minimal to the community surroundings. Then, I would make it mandatory for the club to install limiters on all amplified systems to limit low frequency noise. Additionally, I would require that the club keep door to the entrance of the club closed unless patrons are actively entering or exiting the establishment and the club should provide 10 square feet of indoor waiting space for patrons waiting to gain access to the club. This will limit the amount of noise that actually escapes the club. "The Office of Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) identifies 90 decibels (dB) based on an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) as the absolute "safe" level of noise exposure. This 90dB concentration is referred to as the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for noise exposure. Any eight-hour TWA exceeding 90dB