Expert evaluation of noise at a train manufacturer in the city of Sao Paulo

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a cumulative pathological disease that increases over the years with exposure to noise associated with the work atmosphere and is targeted as one of the most prevalent diseases in Brazilian industries. It is associated to the increasing of age, exposure time to loud noise, noise level, contact with chemical agents, previous exposure to noise and previous surgeries or previous otologic pathologies. OBJECTIVE: To Propose a methodology for expert evaluation of noise at a train manufacturer manufactory, in São Paulo, from a literature review. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a literature review about noise induced hearing loss, searched on the Bireme and SciELO databases during the period of 1988 to 2010 and analysis of a study that measured the workers’ exposure to noise at a train manufacturer. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After study of noise by way literature review and analysis, a study methodology was proposed. CONCLUSION: The methodology proposed for a methodology for expert evaluation of noise at a train manufacturer was a study that considered the way to measure the noise, in which workers would be evaluated, as well as other criteria.