For environments with noise levels exceeding 120 db

than 120 decibels (dB). For environments with noise-levels exceeding 120 dB, more advanced
and expensive hearing protection is required, such as ear-muffs. Data have been collected for the
primary variables that are believed to contribute to excessive noise. It would be important if
these data could be used to predict the dB levels of work environments before placing employees
on site.
New Employee Training
All new Sun Coast employees participate in general health and safety training. The
training program was revamped and implemented six months ago. Data is available for two
Groups; a) Group A employees who participated in the previous training program, and b) Group

UNIT II - SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY SUN COAST 4
B employees who participated in the revised training program. It is necessary to know if the
revised training program is more effective than the prior training program.
Lead Exposure
Employees working on job sites to remediate lead must be monitored. Lead levels in
blood are measured as micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL). A base-line is taken
pre-exposure, then post-exposure at regular intervals, and at the conclusion of the remediation.
Data are available for 49 employees who recently concluded a two-year-long lead remediation
project. It is necessary to determine if blood lead levels have increased.
Return-On-Investment
Sun Coast would like to know if all lines of service provide the same return-on-
investment. Return-on-investment data is available for air monitoring, soil remediation, water
reclamation, and health and safety training. If return-on-investment is not the same for all lines
of service, it would be helpful to know where differences exist.
Literature Review
Particulate Matter (PM)
PM between 10 and 2.5 microns can float in the air for minutes to hours (e.g. asbestos,
mold spores, pollen, cement dust, fly ash), while PM less than 2.5 microns can float in the air for
hours to weeks (e.g. bacteria, viruses, oil smoke, smog, soot).
Brook et al had an update to the Scientific Statement From the American Heart
Association, on May 10, 2010. According to their review, exposure to PM <2.5 μm in diameter
(PM
2.5
) over a few hours to weeks can provoke cardiovascular disease and longer-term exposure
(eg, a few years) makes an increase in the risk for cardiovascular mortality; vice versa,
reductions in PM levels are related to decreases in cardiovascular mortality. Their conclusion

UNIT II - SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY SUN COAST 5
stated that PM
2.5
exposure is judged a modifiable factor that contributes to cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality.
Fann et al (2017) conducted a research to Estimate Changes in Life Expectancy and Adult
Mortality Resulting from Declining PM 2.5 Exposures in the Contiguous United States: 1980–
2010. They aimed to estimate changes in the numbers of deaths and in life years and life
expectancy at birth, attributable to changes in PM 2.5. The result of their research stated that the
declines in PM 2.5 exposures between 1980 and 2010 have benefited public health.