Noise-level Characterization of Portable Electric-power Generators in North-Central Nigeria: A Brand-by-Brand Comparative-study

Abstract

This two-year study presents the average experimental results/data obtained from twelve (12) scientific investigations sequentially conducted on the noise-levels of electric-power generators used in seven (7) major cities—[Abuja, Makurdi, Lokoja, Ilorin, Lafia, Minna and Jos] of North-Central Nigeria. Fifty (50) popular models of electric-power generators produced by ten (10) leading generator-brands which were imported to, and used within the study-area were first identified. Then, using the CR C 811 Noise meter, the Perceived Noise Level (Lpn), Sound Pressure Level (Lp) and Sound Power Level (SWL) of each of the fifty electricpower generator-models were obtained twelve times through field measurements and computation; in addition to recording the ‘Usage time-periods’ and ‘Rated electric-powers’ during each investigation. After which, a collation and graphical illustration of the respective average values obtained, showed that: majority (80%), two-thirds (66%) and below half (42%) of the total number of tested electric-power generator-models used (operated) in the study area did not conform to three (3) international noise emission requirements [i.e.' 85 ' L dB P  , ' 87 ' L dB P  and ' 90 ' L dB P ], since most of the generators exceeded the standard 8-hour Recommended Noise Level (RNL) specified by ‘NIOSH’, ‘IOSH’ and ‘ OSHA’ for human safety respectively. Without doubts, this poses a serious health risk to the millions of people presently living in these North-Central Nigerian cities.