Aulia Asman, Siti Fatimah, Indang Dewata
This research aims to evaluate the effect of noise on workers’ cardiac and diastolic blood pressure and explore the role of ear protection in mitigating the impact of noise in Taratak Kampung Baru, Pariaman City. The research used a cross-sectional observational design with 20 respondents from a sawmill. Data was collected through questionnaires and blood pressure measurements before and after noise exposure. In addition, this research also examined the impact of noise pollution on wildlife habitats around the sawmill location, including bird species and small mammals that are indicators of environmental quality. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the Fisher Exact Test to test the relationship between noise intensity, ear protection uses, and blood pressure. The results showed that workers who did not use ear protection experienced a significant increase in cardiac and diastolic blood pressure after exposure to noise?> 85 dB. In contrast, workers who used ear protection showed lower blood pressure. These findings also indicate a correlation between high noise and a decrease in local bird populations, which is an early sign of ecosystem disturbance. This research suggests that high-intensity noise not only contributes to increased blood pressure in workers but also affects environmental quality more broadly. © UMT Press
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, West Sumatra, Padang, 25131, Indonesia
