Sound Research WIKINDX
Sound Research WIKINDX |
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Scholkmann, F. (2019). Exposure to high-frequency sound and ultrasound in public places: Examples from Zurich, Switzerland. Acoustics, 1(4), 816–824. Added by: Mark Grimshaw-Aagaard (11/7/23, 12:52 PM) |
| Resource type: Journal Article Language: en: English DOI: 10.3390/acoustics1040048 BibTeX citation key: Scholkmann2019 Email resource to friend View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Ultrasound Creators: Scholkmann Collection: Acoustics |
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| Abstract |
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"The public is unknowingly exposed to very high-frequency sound (VHFS; 11.2–17.8 kHz) and ultrasound (US; >17.8 kHz) signals in air in public places, as evidenced by previously published reports. The present report provides evidence for the presence of VHFS/US signals in the air at public places in Zurich, Switzerland. The analysis of the signals measured revealed that they: (i) contain one, two or multiple frequencies; (ii) comprise frequencies ranged from 15.5 kHz to 36.0 kHz; (iii) were either quasi constant in their amplitude or exhibit a clear amplitude modulation; and (iv) were in their characteristics (frequencies, modulation, intensity) specific for each place. Based on the signal characteristic it is likely that the signals are generated by public-address voice-alarm (PAVA) systems. The work presented: (i) documents the presence of VHFS/US signals at public places in Zurich, possibly caused by PAVA systems; and should (ii) show that is easily possibly to measure the signals with an affordable measurement equipment as a “citizen scientist”, and stimulate others also to measure and analyse VHFS/US signals with this citizen scientist approach in other cities worldwide. Due to the possible negative health-related effects of a human exposure to VHFS/US signals, further research is needed to document VHFS/US signals at public places and to evaluate biological effects of this exposure with laboratory studies."
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