Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
06:44
3D Printing - Evaluating Particle Emissions of a 3D Printing Pen
Published on: October 9, 2020
Occupational noise in printing companies
Aleksandra Mihailovic1, Selena D Grujic, Jelena Kiurski
1Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 6, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia. zandra@uns.ac.rs
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|December 17, 2010
Summary
Noise levels in Serbian printing companies, particularly from folders and offset units, frequently exceed legal limits. Forty percent of machines emitted noise above 85 dBA, necessitating urgent hearing conservation programs.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Acoustics
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- Printing industry workers face potential risks from occupational noise exposure.
- Limited research exists on noise levels and hearing impairment in Serbia's printing sector.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify noise levels in five printing companies in Novi Sad, Serbia.
- To identify predominant noise sources and assess compliance with legal thresholds.
- To establish a baseline for future occupational noise and hearing loss studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a TES-1358A Sound Analyzer with RS-232 Interface for noise measurement.
- Collected data on equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (L(eq)), maximum, and minimum sound pressure levels.
- Analyzed noise frequency spectrum, noting dominance of higher frequencies up to 4,000 Hz.
Main Results:
- Folders and offset printing units identified as primary noise sources, with average L(eq) of 87.66 dBA and 82.7 dBA.
- 40% of machines exceeded the legal noise threshold of 85 dBA.
- Noise levels from offset machines and folders surpassed NR-80 curve recommendations at higher frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Significant noise pollution exists in Serbian printing companies, exceeding regulatory limits.
- Higher frequency noise is prevalent, posing a risk to workers' hearing.
- Implementation of technical, organizational, and hearing conservation measures is crucial.
