Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of noise from electrical power generators on physiological parameters, kidney functions and oxidative stress in of workers in electrical generators in Al - Najaf Al-Ashraf city . The noise levels measurements were conducted by using sound level meter in south and north sectors which were chosen in Najaf city center. Additionally, the study also included kidney functions, noise symptoms, antioxidants, and oxidative stress parameters in 30 workers employed on the operation of diesel generators and 30 unexposed subjects as a control group. The results found that the average A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) of electrical generators 90.22±1.29 dB in the south sector during the morning period in Al-Najaf city . Furthermore , the results showed that the mean noise level (LAeq) of the electrical generator in the south sector 87.82±1.17 dB during evening period in Al-Najaf city .The study noted that all the quarters selected in the southern sector during the morning period have decibel levels above the recommended limits set by the Iraqi-standards and WHO. The results also showed no significant change in the average of serum creatininein and serum urea electrical generators workers being compared with the control group. The study recorded a significant decrement (P≥0.05) in glutathione (GSH) level of electrical generators workers in comparison with the control. In addition, the study indicated that headache (50 %) and discomfort (39 %) were the most common types of symptoms caused by the noise among in electric generators workers. Conclusion: The results found exposure to air pollutants had adverse effects on kidney functions and cause oxidative stress in electrical generators workers.