Dataset Information

A pilot study to assess residential noise exposure near natural gas compressor stations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

U.S. natural gas production increased 40% from 2000 to 2015. This growth is largely related to technological advances in horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Environmental exposures upon impacted communities are a significant public health concern. Noise associated with natural gas compressor stations has been identified as a major concern for nearby residents, though limited studies exist.

Objectives

We conducted a pilot study to characterize noise levels in 11 homes located in Doddridge County, West Virginia, and determined whether these levels differed based on time of day, indoors vs. outdoors, and proximity of homes to natural gas compressor stations. We also compared noise levels at increasing distances from compressor stations to available noise guidelines, and evaluated low frequency noise presence.

Methods

We collected indoor and outdoor 24-hour measurements (Leq, 24hr) in eight homes located within 750 meters (m) of the nearest compressor station and three control homes located >1000m. We then evaluated how A-weighted decibel (dBA) exposure levels differed based on factors outlined above.

Results

The geometric mean (GM) for 24-hour outdoor noise levels at homes located <300m (Leq,24hr: 60.3 dBA; geometric standard deviation (GSD): 1.0) from the nearest compressor station was nearly 9 dBA higher than control homes (Leq,24hr: 51.6 dBA; GSD: 1.1). GM for 24 hour indoor noise for homes <300m (Leq,24hr: 53.4 dBA; GSD: 1.2) from the nearest compressor station was 11.2 dBA higher than control homes (Leq,24hr: 42.2 dBA; GSD: 1.1). Indoor average daytime noise for homes <300m of the nearest compressor stations were 13.1 dBA higher than control homes, while indoor nighttime readings were 9.4 dBA higher.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that living near a natural gas compressor station could potentially result in high environmental noise exposures. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate potential health impacts and protection measures.

SUBMITTER: Boyle MD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5378322 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A pilot study to assess residential noise exposure near natural gas compressor stations.

Boyle Meleah D MD Soneja Sutyajeet S Quirós-Alcalá Lesliam L Dalemarre Laura L Sapkota Amy R AR Sangaramoorthy Thurka T Wilson Sacoby S Milton Donald D Sapkota Amir A

PloS one 20170403 4

<h4>Background</h4>U.S. natural gas production increased 40% from 2000 to 2015. This growth is largely related to technological advances in horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Environmental exposures upon impacted communities are a significant public health concern. Noise associated with natural gas compressor stations has been identified as a major concern for nearby residents, though limited studies exist.<h4>Objectives</h4>We conducted a pilot study to characterize noise ...[more]

PMID: 28369113

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Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the association between long term residential exposure to road traffic and railway noise and risk of incident dementia.DesignNationwide prospective register based cohort study.SettingDenmark.Participants1 938 994 adults aged ≥60 years living in Denmark between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2017.Main outcome measuresIncident cases of all cause dementia and dementia subtypes (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Parkinson's disease related dementia), identified from national hospital and prescription registries.ResultsThe study population included 103 500 participants with incident dementia, and of those, 31 219 received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, 8664 of vascular dementia, and 2192 of Parkinson's disease related dementia. Using Cox regression models, 10 year mean exposure to road traffic and railway noise at the most (Ldenmax) and least (Ldenmin) exposed façades of buildings were associated with a higher risk of all cause dementia. These associations showed a general pattern of higher hazard ratios with higher noise exposure, but with a levelling off or even small declines in risk at higher noise levels. In subtype analyses, both road traffic noise and railway noise were associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease, with hazard ratios of 1.16 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 1.22) for road Ldenmax ≥65 dB compared with <45 dB, 1.27 (1.22 to 1.34) for road Ldenmin ≥55 dB compared with <40 dB, 1.16 (1.10 to 1.23) for railway Ldenmax ≥60 dB compared with <40 dB, and 1.24 (1.17 to 1.30) for railway Ldenmin ≥50 dB compared with <40 dB. Road traffic, but not railway, noise was associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia. Results indicated associations between road traffic Ldenmin and Parkinson's disease related dementia.ConclusionsThis nationwide cohort study found transportation noise to be associated with a higher risk of all cause dementia and dementia subtypes, especially Alzheimer's disease.

Dataset Information

A pilot study to assess residential noise exposure near natural gas compressor stations.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A pilot study to assess residential noise exposure near natural gas compressor stations.

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