<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of this study was to identify noise exposure indicators during day and night in the city of Skopje and to see if there is an association between these noise exposure indicators and annoyance. We have performed noise measurements and interviewed 510 adult subjects, using a questionnaire, prepared according to the ISO/TS-15666 standard. Average noise level over the day (Lday) was (62±6.45) dB(A) and over night (Lnight) (56±6.52) dB(A). Thirteen percent of subjects reported a high level, and 33.5% moderate level of annoyance. The most annoying noise sources were construction activities (34% of the subjects), road traffic (24%), and leisure/entertainment activities (18%). We found a significant association between exposure to Lday in the range 61 dB(A) to 65 dB(A) and annoyance in the exposed population (chi-square = 86.14; p&lt;0.001; Spearman's R=0.45; p&lt;0.05). During the night time annoyance was reported with exposure to Lnight above 46 dB(A). Levels of annoyance in Macedonia are similar to levels in developed European countries. Differences are in the source of noise. This study has shown that environmental noise is a significant hazard in urban environments, and assessment of annoyance may prove a useful tool for town planners and public health policy makers.</abstract>

The aim of this study was to identify noise exposure indicators during day and night in the city of Skopje and to see if there is an association between these noise exposure indicators and annoyance. We have performed noise measurements and interviewed 510 adult subjects, using a questionnaire, prepared according to the ISO/TS-15666 standard. Average noise level over the day (Lday) was (62±6.45) dB(A) and over night (Lnight) (56±6.52) dB(A). Thirteen percent of subjects reported a high level, and 33.5% moderate level of annoyance. The most annoying noise sources were construction activities (34% of the subjects), road traffic (24%), and leisure/entertainment activities (18%). We found a significant association between exposure to Lday in the range 61 dB(A) to 65 dB(A) and annoyance in the exposed population (chi-square = 86.14; p<0.001; Spearman's R=0.45; p<0.05). During the night time annoyance was reported with exposure to Lnight above 46 dB(A). Levels of annoyance in Macedonia are similar to levels in developed European countries. Differences are in the source of noise. This study has shown that environmental noise is a significant hazard in urban environments, and assessment of annoyance may prove a useful tool for town planners and public health policy makers.

Environmental Noise and Annoyance in Adult Population of Skopje: A Cross-Sectional Study

Institute of Public Health, Medical Faculty, University Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

The aim of this study was to identify noise exposure indicators during day and night in the city of Skopje and to see if there is an association between these...

Environmental Noise and Annoyance in Adult Population of Skopje: A Cross-Sectional Study

Published Online: Sep 29, 2009

Page range: 349 - 355

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1945

Keywords
dnevna buka, izvori buke, javno zdravstvo, noćna buka, odraslo stanovništvo

This content is open access.

Environmental Noise and Annoyance in Adult Population of Skopje: A Cross-Sectional Study

Published Online: Sep 29, 2009

Page range: 349 - 355

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1945

Keywordsdnevna buka, izvori buke, javno zdravstvo, noćna buka, odraslo stanovništvo

This content is open access.

Keywords
dnevna buka, izvori buke, javno zdravstvo, noćna buka, odraslo stanovništvo