Let’s start analyzing exposure to noise pollution!
During weeks 12 and 32 of pregnancy, BiSC participants received a home visit from our fieldworkers. In these visits, among other tasks, the exposure to environmental pollution in the home of pregnant women was measured.
This exposure was measured with the help of different devices that recorded various parameters related to atmospheric pollution: air, and acoustic pollution, noise. And the latter is what we have started working on since last month.
In order to collect this type of information, a sound meter was installed in each house, which measured different variables related to noise on the main facade of the house. The devices take a reading every second and remain installed for an entire week. In addition, sometimes an extra sound level meter was placed on the front of the participant’s room. So we have a huge amount of data related to noise.
In this image you can see the type of sound level meter that was installed in the houses of the volunteers.
Once this data is clean, we will be able to analyze the association of exposure to noise pollution with some health problem of the participant, with the baby’s neurodevelopment or with any other variable of interest.
As statistical support to carry out this whole process, we have a new addition to the Data Management team and we take the opportunity to present it. Oriol Planesas has a degree in Statistics and is currently studying for a Masters in Statistics and Operational Research. He has worked as a statistical technician, carrying out work climate surveys and writing reports on the results of these surveys.
The rest of the group are delighted with the addition of the Oriol and full of desire to continue working to analyze the data and obtain important results. Let’s continue!
The news was written by Alex Morillas Tébar, data manager of the BiSC project.