HEALTH EFFECTS OF NOISE FROM TIMBER PROCESSING PLANTS ON RESIDENTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN IKOT EKPENE CITY, AKWA IBOM STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the health effects of noise generated by timber processing facilities on residents and the environment in Ikot Ekpene city, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study sites were Ibiakpan, Uruk Uso, Urua Aran, and Utu, where three examples each of a table saw, surface planer, carving machine, and curving machine were examined. Noise levels were quantified during unloading and loading operations with a sound level meter at distances between 1m and 10m from each wood processing facility. Validated questionnaires were administered in conjunction with semi-structured interviews conducted with workers and plant managers to get qualitative data regarding the health implications of noise exposure. The data acquired from the study were evaluated and interpreted. It was determined that elevated noise levels were potentially produced by the plants at load conditions in contrast to no-load scenarios, and the noise-distance connections exhibited an exponential decay. The findings indicated that, even at a distance of 10 meters from the surface planer and carving machine under operational load, the recommended maximum noise exposure level of 70 dB was surpassed; however, a distance of at least 8 meters may be considered safe in other instances of equipment use and for both operational scenarios. The discovered noise-induced health issues and their highest prevalence rates were hearing loss (39.1%), sleep disturbance (67.9%), elevated stress (76.2%), and concentration loss (66.7%). These findings indicate the necessity for enhanced noise management methods in timber processing plants. Keywords – GPS Coordinates, Hearing loss, Noise level, Sound level meter