[Analysis of annual exposure to noise among private farmers according to production profile].

BACKGROUND

The objective of the study was the recognition and evaluation of annual exposure to noise among private farmers on selected family farms of three different profiles of agricultural production (plant, animal and mixed).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Based on time schedules of agricultural work activities and dosimetric measurements conducted during the whole year, 2 acoustic parameters were determined: total exposure to noise in individual months of the year and equivalent daily exposure to noise.

RESULTS

The studies showed that in the case of farms carrying out plant production the highest value of total exposure to noise occurred during the summer-autumn months (July, September, October) and in winter (December, January). On farms of animal production profile the highest values were noted in summer-autumn months (August, October) and winter-spring months (January, March, May, June). On mixed production farms high values occurred in summer-autumn months (August-November) and in April. The distribution of equivalent daily exposure values during the whole year was similar.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study indicated that the greatest noise load occurs on farms carrying out plant and mixed production, whereas the lowest values concerned farms of animal production profile. These values considerably exceed standard values.