Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
OSHA Permissible Noise Levels
T
SPL
= 8/2
(
SPL
-90)/5
(2.19)
where
T
SPL
= Time at given SPL (hours).
SPL
= Sound pressure level (dBA).
Equivalent Eight-Hour TWA
D
TWA
eq
=
16 61
.
og
+
90
(2.20)
100
where
T WA
eq
= Eight-hour equivalent TWA (dBA).
D
= Noise dosimeter reading (%).
WIND ENERGY CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
Typical activities during the wind energy facility construction phase include ground
clearing (removal of vegetative cover), grading, excavation, blasting, trenching,
vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and drilling. Activities conducted in locations other
than the facility site include excavation/blasting for construction materials such as
sands and gravels, as well as access road construction.
A
ir
Q
uAlity
Emissions resulting from construction activities include vehicle emissions, diesel
emissions from large construction equipment and generators; volatile organic com-
pound (VOC) releases from storage and transfer of vehicle or equipment fuels; small
amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates from blasting activi-
ties; and fugitive dust. Fugitive dust would be caused by
•
Disturbing and moving soils (clearing, grading, excavation, trenching,
backfilling, dumping, and truck and equipment traffic)
•
Mixing concrete and associated storage piles
•
Drilling and pile driving
DID YOU KNOW?
Wind energy is underutilized as of now and holds tremendous potential for the
future. Although there has been a 25% increase in wind turbine use in the last
12 years, wind energy still provides only a small percentage of the energy of
the world.
