Effects of Noise Pollution from Electric Backup Generators on the Operators’ Health

Abstract

Noise is a harmful pollutant that leads to an unsanitary environment in urban areas. Electric backup generators, widely used in developing countries, have been one of the most common noise sources. This study identifies workers’ public health in public electrical backup generators in Mosul City, Iraq. Workers’ health was assessed by measuring blood parameters, including Hb, RBCs, WBCs, PLT, and PCV. In addition, other biochemical parameters have been tested, such as; TP, ALB, F.B.S, Bilirubin, Blood Urea, and Cholesterol. General Urine Examination (GUE) was implemented for all samples. The results show a significant change in the blood samples studied compared to the control sample. Hb increased to 15.72±0.9 and 16.12±0.74 g/dl, at noise levels 92.5 and 94.8 dB, respectively, compared to the control group (14.07±0.20 g/dl). RBCs and PLT increased with the high noise level, whereas TP shows a decrease of about 6.43±0.46 and 6.75±0.14 g/dl at 92.5 and 94.8 dB, respectively, compared to the control group. Similarly, F.B.S, blood urea, and total cholesterol were increasing compared to the control group. Depending on the results obtained, up to 30% of the workers tested have severe hearing troubles. This percentage was classified as acute Hypacusis (57%), severe Hypacusis (40%), and complete deafness (3%). Therefore, public electrical backup generators, which were randomly distributed in the public areas of developing countries, are a source of noise pollution.