Noise environmental impact in the construction of the Perlas del Altiplano urbanization in the city of Juliaca

Abstract

It is true that construction is an activity that brings economic development to a community, however, construction is an activity that can bring harm to work personnel due to poor machinery and equipment maintenance or even worse due to the lack of availability and wearing protective equipment. Construction involves the disturbance of soils associated with clearing, grading, excavating, and other activities associated with building new buildings. The machinery and equipment used in construction can cause damage to the health of those involved because the machinery and equipment they work with are heavy, powerful and generate harmful noises perturbing the worker’s hearing abilities. In addition, the lack of acquisition of personal protective equipment by construction companies can produce irreversible hearing damage in some cases. In this work, several noise samples were taken from both inside and outside of the lots in scope according to the standard given by the Ministry of Environment (MINAM). These noise level samples were analyzed and compared with the environmental quality standard of 80 dB. Based on the sampling collection which involved monitoring and evaluating noise levels results, the “concrete mixer” activity presents levels way above the permissible range given by the environmental standard. As a result, the concrete mixer work creates hearing damage to the personnel involved in such activity.