EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF ELECTRIC POWER GENERATORS AT MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Erratic and inadequate power supply have compelled small and medium scale businesses to rely on electricity generation via the use of power generators for alternative power supply.

Electric power generators are used very commonly in shops, offices and homes today in order to supply power during power outages. In addition to noxious air emissions, these generators emit very high level of noise. Exposure to such noise results in detrimental respiratory, digestive, physical, psychiatric, and cardiovascular effects, as well as interference in communication, and hearing impairments. Epidemiological study on the assessment and control of occupational noise levels due to the operation of electric power generators were undertaken at the Computer Village of Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state. The goal of this assessment is to ascertain the level of noise generated from electric generators and its impact in the commercial areas of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state. In this research, noise level [A-weighted in decibels (dB)] were accessed, based on available data from similar situations. A questionnaire was administered (150 respondents) and a technical walk through was also carried out. According to available data, the mean noise level of 78dBA to 96.1dBA in the computer village exceeds the World Health Organisation guideline (65 dBA) for outdoor commercial environments.

Based on the responses on the questionnaire, working and living in the Computer Village was significantly associated with current evidence of hearing impairment. This calls for the reduction of the exposure to noise from electric power generators serving operating within MOUAU computer village, and environs.