Noise Exposure Level of Coal-Fired Thermal Power Stations in Different Scales — China, 2017−2019

Abstract

Summary What is already known about this topic? China is a country mainly based on thermal power generation. Noise is one of the most critical occupational hazards among thermal power stations. What is added by this report? The proportion of detected environmental noise that exceeded 85 dB(A) is 69.6%, and the median of its noise level was 88.4 dB(A). The proportion of detected individual noise that exceeded 85 dB(A) was 52.6%, and the median of its noise level was 85.4 dB(A). The overall environmental noise exposure levels rose with the increase in the scales of coal-fired thermal power stations, while the individual noise exposure levels were contrary. What are the implications for public health practice? Workers in coal-fired thermal power stations are exposed to noise at a significantly high level, more than half of the environmental and individual exposure level were above 85 dB(A), which could impair workers’ hearing capacity. Specific intervention is required to protect workers from exposure to noise at the workplace and eliminate the adverse health effects.