Ototoxic Occupational Exposures for a Stock Car Racing Team: I. Noise Surveys

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveyed noise exposure for a professional stock car team at their race shop and during two races at one racetrack. At the team's shop, area sound pressure levels (SPLs) were measured for various work tasks. Equivalent levels (Le...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene 2005-08, Vol.2 (8), p.383-390
Main Authors: Van Campen, Luann E., Morata, Thais, Kardous, Chucri A., Gwin, Kristin, Wallingford, Kenneth M., Dallaire, Jacques, Alvarez, Frank J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automobile racing
Automobiles
Dosimetry
Ear Protective Devices - standards
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Health Surveys
Hearing protection
Human exposure
Humans
Measurement
noise
Noise pollution
Noise, Occupational - prevention & control
Noise, Transportation - prevention & control
Occupational Exposure - analysis
Occupational Exposure - prevention & control
Occupational Exposure - standards
Occupational hazards
professional stock car racing
race shop
racetrack
Threshold Limit Values
track operation
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Summary:The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveyed noise exposure for a professional stock car team at their race shop and during two races at one racetrack. At the team's shop, area sound pressure levels (SPLs) were measured for various work tasks. Equivalent levels (Leqs) ranged from 58 to 104 decibels, A-weighted (dBA). Personal noise dosimetry was conducted for at least one employee for each job description in race car assembly (n = 9). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dBA for an 8-hour, 5-dB exchange rate time-weighted average (TWA) was never exceeded, but in two instances values exceeded OSHA's action level of 85 dBA for hearing conservation implementation. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) of 85 dBA for a 3-dB exchange rate Leq was exceeded for five of the measured jobs. During the races, SPLs averaged above 100 dBA in the pit area where cars undergo adjustments/refueling, both before and during the race. Peak levels reached 140 dB SPL. NIOSH REL was exceeded for every personal noise dosimetry measurement. Recommendations for hearing protection and communication are presented.
ISSN:1545-9624
1545-9632
DOI:10.1080/15459620591009644