Noise Exposure Levels at the Cannon Shooting Range in South Korea

Abstract

Objectives: Purpose of this study was to measure the noise levels exposed to soldiers at the four cannon shooting locations in one shooting range Methods: We visited cannon shooting range and measured the impulse noise level with a sound level meter (3M Quest SoundPro™) and presented the noise exposure level with the value of peak (dB(A)) and max (dB(A)). Results: The highest peak value of impulse noise levels averaged 159.7 dB(A), ranging from 159.5 to 160.0 dB(A) at the multiple shooting. Impulse noise levels of the cannon with close to shooting areas were also recorded higher than the cannon with not close to shooting areas. These impulse noise levels by different sampling locations were significantly different depending on the distances (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These characteristics of impulse noise in the cannon shooting environment were useful for a proper management to reduce the amount of impulse noise exposure at the cannon shooting range.