Abstract No:
1164
Abstract Type:
Professional Poster
Authors:
E Massawe1
Institutions:
1Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA
Presenter:
Ephraim Massawe, Sc.D.
Southeastern Louisiana University
Description:
This poster showcases a student-led project in the planning phase that will apply Bayesian Decision Analysis (BDA) / IHDataStats™ to assess noise exposures in American football stadiums. Students will gain hands-on experience in study planning, equipment preparation (sound level meter and dosimeter calibration), field data collection, and probabilistic modeling under uncertainty. The project demonstrates how BDA/IHDataStats™ tool can enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, foster interest in occupational safety, health, and environmental (OSH&E) careers, and support workforce development. Attendees will learn about the planned methodology, educational objectives, and anticipated outcomes, including the integration of real-world-ready experiential learning to prepare the next generation of OSH&E professionals.
Situation / Problem:
Noise exposure in sports stadiums poses significant hearing loss risks to fans, athletes, and workers, yet relatively few studies have addressed these exposures, creating challenges for monitoring and prevention. Large venues with variable crowd sizes and limited measurement opportunities make traditional assessments difficult, especially when repeated noise data collection is not feasible. This project develops practical methods to evaluate occupational safety, health, and environmental (OSH&E) noise with limited data while providing students with real-world-ready (RWR), hands-on experiential learning opportunities. Using Bayesian Decision Analysis (BDA)/IHDataStats™, students learn to model uncertainty, make evidence-based decisions, and develop actionable exposure control strategies. Through sound level meter (SLM) area monitoring, personal dosimeter measurements, probabilistic modeling, and regulatory comparison, students engage in authentic research while enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Importantly, this initiative seeks to inspire low-income and minority students, whose enrollment in STEM and OSH&E programs has been declining, to pursue careers in OSH&E fields, supporting workforce diversity and mobility for underrepresented populations.
Methods:
Area noise levels are planned to be measured using sound level meters (SLMs) positioned at strategic stadium locations, while dosimeters will be clipped on the breathing or hearing zones of selected employees and fans for personal monitoring. All devices will be calibrated at 1000 Hz and 114 dBA in accordance with United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (U.S. OSHA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American National Standards Institute (ANSI, S1.4, S1.25), and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 61672, 61252) standards.
Data collection is scheduled during Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) and Louisiana State University (LSU) game events in Fall 2025. Collected data will be analyzed using Bayesian Decision Analysis (BDA) with IHDataStats™ (thanks to AIHA free software) to model uncertainty in exposure profiles and compare results to regulatory limits, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for community exposures and U.S. OSHA, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for personal exposures.
This planned methodology ensures reliable, standardized measurements while providing students with real-world-ready (RWR), hands-on experiential learning. Strengths of the planned approach include accurate calibration, comprehensive exposure profiling, and engagement in authentic research. Anticipated limitations include a small number of events and positioning constraints in crowded stadium environments.
Results / Conclusions:
Results (Anticipated/Projected):
Students will gain real-world-ready (RWR) hands-on experiential learning experience in noise measurement, calibration, and data collection.
The project is expected to demonstrate how Bayesian Decision Analysis (BDA)/IHDataStats™ tools can model uncertainty and guide exposure decisions even with limited data.
Anticipated outputs include exposure profiles for stadium areas and personal monitoring, and example comparisons against regulatory limits (U.S. EPA, U.S. OSHA, ACGIH, NIOSH).
Project will provide practical tools and methods for student learning and workforce training in OSH&E.
Conclusions (Take-Away Lessons):
BDA/IHDataStats™ tool is a valuable framework for evaluating occupational and environmental noise under uncertainty.
Hands-on measurement and modeling enhances STEM education, builds real-world skills, and encourages students to pursue OSH&E careers.
This approach supports workforce development, particularly for low-income and minority students, by exposing them to practical research and professional practices.
Even with limited data, structured planning and probabilistic modeling can inform evidence-based safety recommendations in real-world environments.
Core Competencies:
Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
Secondary Core Competencies:
Community Exposure
Exposure Assessment
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Education and training
Exposure Assessment
Hazard communication
Hearing conservation and noise reduction
Risk assessment and management
Based on the selected primary competency area of your proposal, select one group below that would be best suited to serve as a subject matter expert for peer review:
(Select one)
Noise Committee
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Practitioner: Practitioner is a job title given to persons in various occupational fields who are trained to assist professionals but are not themselves licensed or certified at a professional level by a certification body recognized by the National Accreditation Recognition (NAR) Committee of IOHA. The IH/OH practitioner performs tasks requiring significant knowledge and skill in the IH/OH field, such as conducting worker exposure monitoring and, in some cases, may even function independently of a professional IH/OH but may not be involved in the breadth of IH/OH practice nor have the level of responsibility of a professional IH/OH certified by examination.
The IH/OH practitioner requires a certain level of education that can be obtained from an accredited university or equivalent. Additional training in specific skill sets that provide additional career paths to the IH/OH practitioner can also be obtained. IH/OH practitioners may also serve as team leaders or project managers.
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
No
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
This project demonstrates how Bayesian Decision Analysis (BDA) / IHDataStats™ can guide noise exposure assessment in complex stadium environments. By combining sound level meter and personal dosimeter measurements with probabilistic modeling, students learn to quantify exposures and evaluate regulatory compliance under uncertainty. The study advances Industrial Hygiene (IH) and Occupational Health (OH) by providing a framework for assessing noise exposures with limited data while training students in evidence-based decision-making. It also prepares the next generation of OSH&E professionals to apply innovative analytical approaches in real-world occupational settings.
What level would you consider your presentation content geared towards?
Intermediate: Specific topics within a subject. The participant would have two (2) to ten (10) years experience in industrial hygiene or OEHS and a good understanding of the subject area, but not of the specific topic presented. Prerequisites required: another course, skill, or working knowledge of the general subject.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes