Noise Levels Associated With Selected Oil And Gas Installations In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Of Rivers State, Nigeria
Keywords:
sound level, oil installations, health side-effectsAbstract
A study of noise levels in selected oil installations in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria was carried out between January 2008 and August 2009. A sound level meter, a handheld GPS and steel tape were used to carry out measurement at interval of 100m from installations. Mean noise pollution levels were obtained from OB/OB Gas plant, Ebocha oil centre, Obite Gas plant, Obagi oil centre/flow station and Idu flow station. The mean values obtained are lesser than the Federal Environmental Protection Agency standard of 90dBA and slightly greater than WHO standard for outdoor. Results envisaged long-term health implications due to continuous daily exposure by the host communities. However, it was recommended among others that old pumps use in the installations should be replaced with electric motors, while plants or generators in use should be soundproof instead of the conventional types that are regular sources of noise.
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