Evaluation of noise pollution in Shiraz hospitals

Introduction: High sound, is an occupational and environmental hazard common. Hospitals as medical and health care setting are affected by noise sources. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the noise pollution in Shiraz hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional study in different parts and the area around the 8 educational and non-educational hospitals in Shiraz was performed. For all hospitals Indices Leq (inside and outside), lmax, lmin, and SIL were measured in the morning, afternoon and night by Sound level meter TES 1358. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 and Test ANOVA and ttest and Measurement Repetitive were performed. Results: Average measured parameters Leq (inside and outside), lmax, lmin, and SIL in all hospitals and in different shifts was more than limits of the country. The average leq inside and outside were between 53 to 60 and 65 to 85 dB, respectively in teaching hospitals and 49 to 58 and 48 to 71 dB in non-teaching hospitals were variable. Average all parameters in teaching hospitals was more than for non-teaching hospitals. Conclusion: In all sites and times of day and night, even at night shifts, the noise pollution is a serious problem in all hospitals. Thus, engineering control and management measures are recommended to improve the environment of medical and choice of appropriate equipment.