Maternal Aircrew Fetal Noise and Vibration Exposure Risk Model
Abstract
All Military personnel will likely be exposed to extremely loud noises such as various weapons (impulse noises > 180 dB), as well as ground, water, and air transportation platforms at some point in their career. However, it is challenging to assess the overall timeline of noise exposures of military personnel, especially during missions and deployment. Extreme noises have auditory and non-auditory effects on health. Unfortunately, military noise may not only induce adverse changes in psychological and physiological well-being and provoke hearing loss but may also affect the health and development of a pregnant female and her fetus. Unfortunately, the pathway and the level of exposure as well as outcomes of such exposure are not well understood. Computational models offer an ethical methodology to characterize the risk from military noise and vibration exposures to the mother and fetus and various stages of development. This information can then be used to inform policies on allowed duties for pregnant female aircrews. This report summarizes a literature review of the information concerning military noise exposures, aircraft noise exposures, maternal and fetal noise outcomes, noise and vibration transfer to human tissues and the fetus, and computational models and data requirements for vibrational energy transfer to the mother and fetus. We collected over 1000 publications, of which 638 documents were selected for inclusion into the Mendeley database to be provided to the sponsor. After review, a total of 95 publications were included in the final report, 102 publications were reviewed in the report table and 57 included into a draft journal review paper. There is an immediate need for more scientific evidence regarding temporary and permanent noise effects and exposures as well as the development of an accurate, reliable, and predictive numerical modeling framework that would ensure the health and safety of maternal aircrew and their unborn children.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 23, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1156332
Entities
People
- Austin Szekacs
- Casey W. Cooper
- Eric Mbonimpa
- Jurate Virkutyte
- Lana Harvey
- Michael Miller
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine