Centro de Território, Ambiente e Construção
Escola de Engenharia da Universidade do Minho
Campus de Azurém
4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Phone: + 351 253 510 200 (517 206)
Fax: + 351 253 510 217
Email: geral@ctac.uminho.pt
@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 = {2020}, month = {2020-01-18 00:00:00}, pages = {2-20}, publisher = {MDPI}, abstract = {Noise pollution is the second most harmful environmental stressor in Europe. Portugal is
}, keywords = {discomfort due to noise, low-frequency noise, noise pollution, power poles and power lines, residential areas}, issn = {5566}, doi = {10.3390/app9245566}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/24/5566}, author = {Alves, J. A. and Silva, L. T. and Remoaldo, P. C.} }
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.
The Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction (CTAC) is a research unit of the School of Engineering of University of Minho (UMinho), recognised by the “FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (Foundation for Science and Technology), associated to the Department of Civil Engineering (DEC), with whom it shares resources and namely human resources.
Currently CTAC aggregates 24 researchers holding a PhD of which 20 are faculty professors of the Civil Engineering Department. Read more
Centro de Território, Ambiente e Construção
Escola de Engenharia da Universidade do Minho
Campus de Azurém
4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Phone: + 351 253 510 200 (517 206)
Fax: + 351 253 510 217
Email: geral@ctac.uminho.pt