Noise annoyance due to construction worksites.

BACKGROUND Noise pollution can contribute to adverse health effects in humans. Noise annoyance and related problems, caused by noise emission during the progress of building construction, have become increasingly important. These problems can influence the exposed workers, as well as vicinity residents. The goal of the present study was to assess the noise annoyance due to noise from construction worksites among residents of Hamadan City (west of Iran). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 20 construction worksites and 140 near vicinity residents were selected. The main sources of construction worksite noise were diesel power generators, cutting and welding processes, heavy machinery (such as trucks) and transport of materials. Ambient noise levels were measured using a calibrated sound level meter, at each home of the residents included in the study. A noise annoyance questionnaire was employed for annoyance assessment. RESULTS The majority of subjects had very high annoyance (87.1%). The mean and SD of ambient levels were 74.57±7.12 dB (A) which exceeded the acceptable recommended level for residential areas. The most common problems among the participants were disturbance in sleep, difficulty in reading and distraction. Results showed significant relationship between noise annoyance and some factors including residing which floors had highest annoyance (F=13.22, P<0.001) and ambient noise (F=11.313, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS High levels of noise annoyance among near vicinity residents who are affected by construction activities. This means that construction activities and other noise related sources should be regarded as the major source of ambient noise leading to noise annoyance.