Resumo (PT):
Abstract (EN):
Although most research related to urban noise exposure, refers mainly to transportation noise, epidemiological research has already demonstrated the risks of leisure noise exposure, including fireworks, on
children, the youth, and young adults thus denoting the need for further investigation. Cumulatively,
the general population living near an event’s location can also feel disturbed by this type of noise. This
study investigated the noise produced by fireworks at events not yet evaluated, indicating the need for
better noise management by the organizers, as well as a revision of the recent European Directive in
addressing exposure limits for children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the noise exposure
of the population of Northern Portugal during fireworks at festivals and pilgrimages. With that purpose,
measurements and questionnaires were conducted at 27 non-pyromusical and pyromusical events.
Events considered to be the largest or the most traditional events which occur annually in the
Northern Region of Portugal. The measurement equipment was a type 1 sound level meter, from
01 dB, positioned at the most exposed point, meaning, the area where the population was closest to
the fireworks. The measurement time lasted for the entire duration of the firework explosions. The
LAeq, LAmin, LAmax values, as well as the statistical indicators, LA90, LA50, and LA10, were determined with
an impulsive response. The results showed that in 72% of the evaluated events, the exposure level
exceeded 120 dB (A, imp), the limit- value defined by the Directive 2013/29 UE. The average LAmax, CI
95% value, for the exposed population when assisting those events, ranged between 121 and 125
120 dB (A, imp). Hypothesis tests performed for this sample, at a significance level of 5%, demonstrated
that there is no significant difference between the average exposure for both types of events, nonpyromusical and pyromusical. Considering that these noise levels can induce hearing impairment this
study demonstrated the need for noise control measures for the people attending these types of events.
Suggested solutions highlight the following safety measures: the use of quiet fireworks, the reduction of
music volume at pyromusical events, changes to the public’s position and an implementation of public
sessions in order to raise the population’s awareness about harmful noise effects, particularly for groups
that are more sensitive to noise.
Idioma:
Inglês
Tipo (Avaliação Docente):
Científica
Nº de páginas:
9