Developing a guideline for measuring workplace non-Gaussian noise exposure based on kurtosis adjustment of noise level in China

OBJECTIVE: There is no unified standard for measuring workplace non-Gaussian noise (known as complex noise) exposure. This study aimed to develop a draft guideline for measuring workplace non-Gaussian complex noise exposure based on noise temporal structure adjustment. METHODS: Noise exposure level, e.g., the A-weighted sound pressure level normalized to a nominal 8-h working day (L(EX,8h)), was adjusted using the temporal structure (expressed by kurtosis) of noise. Noise waveform analysis or the instrument's direct reading was used. RESULTS: The framework of the draft guideline included measurement metrics, the protocol using kurtosis to adjust L(EX,8h), technical requirements for measuring instruments, measurement steps, data analysis, and measurement recording. CONCLUSION: The draft guideline could provide a basis for accurately measuring workers' exposure to non-Gaussian noise.