Noise exposure inside of the Kerman urban buses: measurements, driversand passengers attitudes

A comprehensive study was conducted with the objectives of evaluation of noise exposure in the workplace ofbus drivers, and to find attitudes of passengers and drivers. This study consisted of two phases. In the firstphase, Noise levels were measured in fifty buses. The evaluation of noise levels in the workplace of bus driverswas performed according to the Iranian legislation`s. Twenty four buses with noise levels above 85 dB (A)consider as an "unsafe" workplace. In the second phase, the attitude of 50 male drivers and 500 passengersconcerning the annoyance and impact of noise on health was also surveyed. Second phase showed that 70% ofdrivers and 86.4% of passengers were nervousness from high level noise inside the buses. Eighty four percentdrivers and 80% passengers felt noise had affected on their hearing. This study also affirmed that out of everyseven drivers, six reported headache

Keywords:

Hearing loss , Occupational noise , Bus drivers and passengers , health impact , urban buses