@JournalArticle {3057,
	title = {How Can Low-Frequency Noise Exposure Interact with the Well-Being of a Population? Some Results from a Portuguese Municipality},
	journal = {Apllied Sciences},
	volume = {9},
	year = {2019},
	month = {2019-12-18 00:00:00},
	pages = {2-20},
	publisher = {MDPI},
	abstract = {
Noise pollution is the second most harmful environmental stressor in Europe. Portugal is
the fourth European country most affected by noise pollution, whereby 23.0\% of the population is
affected. This article aims to analyze the effects of exposure to low-frequency noise pollution, emitted
by power poles and power lines, on the population{\textquoteright}s well-being, based on a study of {\textquotedblleft}exposed{\textquotedblright} and
{\textquotedblleft}unexposed{\textquotedblright} individuals in two predominantly urban areas in north-western Portugal. To develop
the research, we used sound level (n = 62) and sound recording measurements, as well as adapted
audiometric test performance (n = 14) and surveys conducted with the resident population (n = 200).
The sound levels were measured (frequency range between 10 to 160 Hz) and compared with
a criterion curve developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Aairs (DEFRA).
The sound recorded was performed 5 m away from the source (400 kV power pole). Surveys were
carried out with the {\textquotedblleft}exposed{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}unexposed{\textquotedblright} populations, and adapted audiometric tests were
performed to complement the analysis and to determine the threshold of audibility of {\textquotedblleft}exposed{\textquotedblright}
and {\textquotedblleft}unexposed{\textquotedblright} volunteers. The {\textquotedblleft}exposed{\textquotedblright} area has higher sound levels and, consequently, more
problems with well-being and health than the {\textquotedblleft}unexposed{\textquotedblright} population. The audiometric tests
also revealed that the {\textquotedblleft}exposed{\textquotedblright} population appears to be less sensitive to low frequencies than
the {\textquotedblleft}unexposed{\textquotedblright} population.
},
	keywords = {discomfort due to noise, low-frequency noise, noise pollution, power poles and power lines, residential areas},
	issn = {5566},
	doi = {10.3390/app9245566},
	url = {mdpi.com/journal/applsci},
	author = {Alves, J. A. and Silva, L. T. and Remoaldo, P. C.}
}