Noise Pollution; Assessing and Control in the Beet Sugar Industry

Abstract

Protection of the expertise workers in the Sugar production is essential for the sustainability and development of this strategic national industry. Noise pollution is a physical factor that may have negative effects on the employees. In this study, noise levels and control methods are studied in the beet sugar industry in the Dakahlia plants. Inspection of the studied plants presented that noise is emitting from several sources such as beet lab reception, beat washing and slicers, vacuum pump area, centrifugal mixer station, power station and boiler house. Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) of the sources are measured according to ISO recommendation, while noise exposure levels are carried out using equivalent noise level. The results proved that sound pressure level exceeded the national limits assigned by the Egyptian Environmental Law No 4/94. The maximum and minimum values of SPL at boiler soot blower were 110 and 78dBA respectively. In the old Belqase sugar factory, it has been found that the maximum SPL reached to 112 dBA at boiler soot blower and the minimum value was 83 dBA in the air composer. Noise exposure also is assessed to protect the employees in the old and new sugar plants. As the working shift is 12 hours in the investigated plant, a model is used to estimate the equivalent noise dose according to 8 hours exposure. The results revealed that the workers in the old sugar plant are suffering in the high emitted noise levels. Control measures are essential to reduce the noise especially from the old sugar plant.