| Document ID (ISN) | 109029 |
| CIS number |
09-175 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
1545-9624 - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene |
| Year |
2007 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Murphy W.J., Tubbs R.L. |
| Title |
Assessment of noise exposure for indoor and outdoor firing ranges |
| Bibliographic information |
Sep. 2007, Vol.4, No.9, p.688-697. Illus. 32 ref. |
| Abstract |
NIOSH received a request for a health hazard evaluation from the employees and management of a police department concerned about potential hearing damage from noise generated during weapons training on their indoor and outdoor firing ranges. NIOSH investigators conducted noise sampling with an mannequin head and microphone to characterize the noise exposures that officers might experience during small arms qualification and training when wearing a variety of hearing protection devices provided by the department. The peak sound pressure levels for the various weapons ranged from 156 to 170dB, which are higher than the recommended 140dB exposure guideline from NIOSH. Earplugs, ear muffs and customized hearing protectors provided between 25 and 35dB reduction. Double hearing protection (plugs plus muffs) added a further 15-20dB reduction. Implications of these findings are discussed. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
firearms; hearing loss; police forces; risk factors; hazard evaluation |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
public OSH institutions; USA; noise level; noise dosimetry; earplugs; earmuffs; exposure evaluation |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | USA |
| Subject(s) |
Noise, hearing and vibration
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Physical hazards
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Fire fighting, police, prisons and the armed forces
Risk evaluation
Diseases of the ear and hearing damage
|
