Assessment of noise induced psychological stresses on printery workers

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between psychological stresses and noise stresses on printery workers in Tehran, Iran. Hence, 267 workers were randomly selected. The Leq and Lmax were measured and the psychological stresses such as depression, anxiety, aggression and job satisfaction were also studied by the relevant questionnaires. The data were statistically analyzed by Pearson correlation test. The results demonstrated that there was no significant statistical relationship between noise and psychological stresses. In addition, by using Spearman regression method, the influence of variables such as age, gender and job history on psychological stresses caused by Leq and Lmax was studied and the results only revealed that the aggression caused by Leq increased in young personnel [P=0.02] as well as, anxiety caused by Lmax increased accompanied by increasing the job history and age of the workers [P=0.002 and P=0.007]. Therefore, more variables must be taken into consideration to judge about noise induced psychological stresses in workplaces

Factors affecting road traffic noise annoyance among white-collar employees working in Tehran

The effect of personal and attitudinal factors, noise level, hearing status and psychological traits on traffic-related noise annoyance among white-collar employees working in Tehran has been carefully analyzed. This survey has been conducted by interviewing 495 citizens working in non-manufacturing industries in Tehran, using questionnaires, Weinstein noise sensitivity scale, Beck's depression, Buss and perry's aggression, Zung's anxiety, job satisfaction and Eysenc's personality inventory. These citizens were office workers or store employees. Noise annoyance was determined both by numerical-based questionnaire criterion and by verbal index. Personal information, attitudinal factors and hearing conditions were determined using a general questionnaire. The amount of workplace noise the participants were exposed to was directly measured at their workplaces. It was revealed that among personal factors, age [p=0.030], marital status [p=0.004], residential period [p=0.001] and wealth [p=0.04] were related to noise annoyance. Attitudinal factors including sensitivity to noise [p=0.001], individual's opinion on the need to control the noise [p=0.000] and individuals' assessment of the amount of the workplace ambient noise [p= 0.000] were found to have relationship with noise annoyance. No meaningful relationship was seen between the equivalent noise level [p=0.879] and statistical noise level of L90 [p=0.909]. The present study revealed that among all effective factors involved in noise annoyance, attitudinal factors had the most significant role in this regard