Speaker
Description
The increasing spread of ultrasound technology is accompanied by a spread of the associated airborne ultrasound exposure. Current risk assessments and exposure limit recommendations are based on outdated measurements and are primarily aimed at occupational sound exposure. However, technological developments have led to many new high-frequency noise and ultrasound sources, especially for use in private and public areas. Unfortunately, only a few studies have been carried out to date on public exposure to airborne ultrasound. Thus, the existing body of knowledge on potential hazards posed by ultrasound noise in private and public spaces is limited. Against this background, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) has been commissioned by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) to investigate the spread of airborne ultrasound in private and public environments. The aim of this study is to identify and assess possible risks to the general population arising from airborne ultrasound exposure. In addition to an extensive literature research, a series of measurements was conducted both in the field and in laboratory settings to identify and describe airborne ultrasound sources. For qualitative and quantitative characterisation, a range of measurement instruments was employed, such as acoustic cameras, an ultrasonic sound exposure meter and the scanning and calibration facilities of PTB. Selected examples from these investigations are presented.