Evaluation of Environmental Sound Pressure Level, Drawing of Noise-Isosonic Map Using Surfer V.19, and Prioritization of Engineering Noise Control Methods Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP): A Field Study in CGS Stations

Abstract

Noise pollution is one of the most significant harmful physical factors in the industrial and occupational environments. Due to the high costs of exposure to excessive noise; continuous sound evaluation, propose and implement noise control plans in occupational environments is necessary. Thus, the present study aimed to review environmental sound measurements, drawing of noise maps, and prioritizing the engineering noise control methods using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This study was a descriptive-analytical study that aimed to assess occupational noises and present a control plan in the City Gas Stations (CGSs) of Kerman, Iran in 2021. The present study was done in two phases. In the first phase, six CGSs were investigated to measure and evaluate the noise. In addition, the noise map of a CGS was drawn using the Surfer software. Finally, the AHP was used in the second phase of the research to prioritize the control measures. In this phase, four criteria and ten alternatives were identified. According to first phase results, the sound pressure level (SPL) of the stations varied from 76 to 98 dBA. Besides, the majority of the studied stations had a sound level higher than 85 dBA (danger zone). The second phase of the study showed that out of the four evaluated criteria, the executability criterion had the highest impact and the cost criterion had the lowest impact on the selection of control measures with a weight of 0.587 and 0.052, respectively. Based on the results of prioritization of the alternatives, using a silenced regulator (weight of 0.223) and increasing the thickness of the tube (weight of 0.023) had the highest and lowest priorities among the alternatives, respectively. The use of engineering noise control methods such as using silenced regulators was the best way to control the noises of CGSs. Additionally; it is noteworthy that AHP is a practical method for prioritizing alternatives to achieve the most accurate decision-making. The results of AHP can be of great help to health and safety experts and managers in choosing the sound engineering control measures more precisely.