NOISE EXPOSURE LEVELS AND PERCEIVED AUDITORY AND NON-AUDITORY EFFECTS ON TRADERS IN EVBAREKE SPARE PARTS MARKETS IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The noise exposure levels and their effects on traders in Evbareke spare parts markets in Benin city, Nigeria, were assessed in this study. Noise levels were measured weekly for a period of three months using a Smart Sensor Digital Sound Level Meter (Model AS824). A questionnaire survey was carried out with a total of sixty (60) respondents in the study area. The results revealed that the average mean noise levels across SP1 to SP3 ranged from 69.4± 7.2 to 73.7±3.4 dBA in the morning period, 72.7±7.1 to 78.2±7.6 dBA in the afternoon period and 71.5±8.1 to 73.1±6.5 dBA in the evening period. The noise level recorded in the morning, afternoon and evening in this study surpassed both the WHO permissible limits and the NESREA permissible limits. There was significant variations in the noise levels obtained in the morning and afternoon across the sampling (p<0.05). The questionnaire survey data revealed that 76% of the respondents perceived the noise pollution level to be high on the market. The major sources of noise pollution reported were human activity and vehicular movement. The prevalence of the perceived auditory and non-auditory noise effects of noise exposure were tinnitus (68.3%), nervousness (1.7%), mental health (63.3%), hypertension (25%) and hearing loss (18.3%). The creation of awareness of noise-related health effects, provision of personal protective equipment and coordinated efforts to mitigate noise pollution on the market are recommended.