13 research outputs found
The co-influence of noise and carbon dioxide on humans in the work and living environment
The aim of the paper is to investigate the co-influence of noise and carbon dioxide on
people in different situations (inside/outside houses/classrooms) depending on the traffic
intensity, the fuel used for heating in residential buildings etc.). All the measurements and the
questionnaire have been carried out during the autumn of 2019 (at the mean temperature of
5–10 °C). Riga has a more intensive traffic compared to Tallinn and has greater problems of
exceeding the permissible noise levels. The levels of carbon dioxide inside classrooms are also
very high in Latvia (1,500–2,000 ppm). The concentration of carbon dioxide outside buildings is
low in the forest areas (measured in the south of Estonia), being 340–350 ppm. In regional towns,
it is 500 ppm (measured in autumn-winter near a busy street). The co-influence of noise and
carbon dioxide on the residents has been investigated by using the Weinstein questionnaire. High
carbon dioxide levels cause fatigue. Although it was not particularly pointed out by the residents
questioned in a panel house with small apartments, the air was considered to be stuffy. The house
is situated near a busy street, so the problems with noise are higher. ANOVA statistics has been
used for the questionnaire (p < 0.001, α = 0.93). The decrease of noise and carbon dioxide levels
help people stay healthy and the environmental impact from the investigation is emphasising the
necessity and providing possibilities to decrease the concentration of CO2 in the ambient air