Noise dosimeter

A noise dosimeter (American English) or noise dosemeter (British English) is a specialized sound level meter intended specifically to measure the noise exposure of a person integrated over a period of time; usually to comply with Health and Safety regulations such as the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure Standard or EU Directive 2003/10/EC.Noise dosimeters measure and store sound pressure levels (SPL) and, by integrating these measurements over time, provide a cumulative noise-exposure reading for a given period of time, such as an 8-hour workday. Dosimeters can function as personal or area noise monitors. In occupational settings, personal noise dosimeters are often worn on the body of a worker with the microphone mounted on the middle-top of the person’s most exposed shoulder.Current dosimeters are designed to provide the user with parameters such as noise dose, time-weighted average, sound exposure level, as well as peak, maximum, and minimum sound pressure levels. Most dosimeters also generate statistical and graphical representations of the collected data. ANSI S1.25 specifies that dosimeters should at least provide the following parameters:Action Level: 85 dBA 8-hour TWA Action Level: 85 dBA 8-hour TWA Action Level: 85 dBA 8-hour TWAThe international body that specifies the technical requirements of such instruments as sound level meters and dosimeters is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) based in Geneva; whereas the method of their use is normally given in an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publication. In the U.S., the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI S1.25-1991 (R2007) specifies the performance characteristics of personal noise dosimeters.The original dosimeters were designed to be belt worn with a microphone connected to the body of the dosimeter and mounted on the shoulder as near to the ear as practicable. These devices were worn for the full work shift and at the end would give a readout initially in percentage dose, or in some other exposure metric. These were the most common way of making measurements to meet legislation in the USA, but in Europe, the conventional sound level meter was favoured. There were many reasons for this, but in general in Europe the dosimeter was distrusted for several reasons, some being.The following major manufacturers are among those who offer noise dosimeters: