Abstract

A survey and assessment of noise level with its impact on mill workers were conducted in two Jute Mills of Chittagong city. These industries are highly noise producers; the workers of such mills are highly prone to noise pollution effect, especially hearing problems. Higher noise level in different working sections of the Jute Mill was recorded which includes the siren played, noise from the main entrance, mill’s gate and inside the factory. These high levels of noise are much higher than standard and acceptable noise level. The hearing loss of mill workers were determined by producing artificial noise from various distances (5 to 200 feet) and the listening power of different workers was measured. Workers having longer working periods (from 6 months to 2, 5, 10 and 20 years) were not able to hear noise as compared to a normal or less working period person (6 months or new). The experiment suggests that the workers are obviously affected by high noise production of the mills and gradually losing their ability to listen.

Key words: Noise pollution, hearing loss, jute mills.