Assessment of Noise Pollution Levels of Selected Sawmills Activities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Sawmill industries generate high levels of sound to the residential, commercial industrial environments which may be hazardous to human health. The high sound (noise) can affect workers and residents psychologically as well as physiologically. This paper presents the findings of a baseline research undertaken to evaluate the sound level at sawmill workstations in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria using a digital sound level meter of model TES – 1350A and global positioning system. A total of fifteen sawmill workstations in seven towns of the L.G.A were assessed after a reconnaissance survey. The average measured noise level for the fifteen sawmill workstations ranged from 80.50 dBA in Imiringi (labelled - OBG10) to 100.40 dBA in Imiringi (tagged – OGB9). Apart from the average noise level of 84.30 dBA in Elebele and 80.550 dBA in Imiringi, all other values exceed Occupational Safety and Health Acts (2002) and World Health Organization (2004) recommended standard limit of 85.0 dBA 8-hour workstation for industry. The estimated noise pollution level for the fifteen sawmill workstations ranged from 96.91 dBA in location in OGB10 location to 116.81 dBA in OGB9 location. All the estimated noise pollution levels are higher than the OSHA and WHO permissible limit of 85.0 dBA. The results of the accumulated dose in percentage exposure for 8-hour workday period of exposure indicate that sawmill workstations OGB1 and OGB10 situated at Elebele and Imiringi Towns with percentage accumulated dose of 43.48% and 28.67% exhibit lower percentage dose. The noise quality indices such as Leq, Lnp, and accumulated dose in percentage exposure values of the thirteen out of the fifteen sawmill workstations indicate unhealthy noise levels. These values can affect the auditory system and the health of industry workers.

Suggested citation

, Ugochukwu Umunnakwe , Kingsley O. Munonye (2025). Assessment of Noise Pollution Levels of Selected Sawmills Activities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Nature and Trends in Science and Technology , 1(1). https://doi.org/10.69798/66191654

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