Levels of exposure to noise through the Bootstrap methodology in workers of a company

Abstract

Introduction: Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise has been associated with health problems, so the design and execution of risk assessment studies of occupational exposure to continuous high noise could avoid health problems and job dissatisfaction. Objective: To determine the noise exposure levels of users of the public company of agricultural producers San Pedro de Riobamba through the application of the Bootstrap methodology. Material and Methods: A descriptive observational study was carried out in a company. Strategy 2 of the Peruvian NTP-ISO 9612 standard was applied where a sample of 208 points was located. The continuous equivalent sound level (Leq.) expressed in decibels (dB(A)) and the exposure time (in hours) were evaluated as a study variable. The Bootstrap method was used to calculate confidence intervals of the weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level. Results: On the main marketing platform the noise range was between 73,68509 and 74,45156 dB. On the tropical fruit platform (73,98598 and 74,64375) dB, which are between (75,29594 and 77,86022) dB; on the producers' platform (75,29594 and 77,86022) dB; and on the seafood platform (74,89924 and 77,48234) dB. The analysis of the data through the bootstrap methodology showed intervals below the permitted level of 85dB in each of the sampling areas. Conclusions: The noise exposure levels of the users of the public company of agricultural producers San Pedro de Riobamba are adequate, so it can be said that there is a low risk of suffering from hearing disorders.

Keywords

• niveles de exposición, ruido, bootstrap, salud ocupacional