Police officer safety and health

=== Noise from firearms' training ===

=== Noise from firearms' training ===

Law enforcement officers are required to train regularly in the use of firearms, typically at indoor firing ranges. Training schedules vary widely, from eight hours four times a year, every month for special teams, up to 20 times a month for the agency’s firearms instructors. In these training sessions, an officer could accrue hundreds to thousands of rounds of exposure to firearms impulse noise. Such exposures can exceed the occupational health limits of 140 decibels (dB), with sound levels often reaching 160-170 dB peak sound pressure levels [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2013-0124-3208.pdf].  These could lead to hearing disorders such as [[hearing loss]] and [[tinnitus]]. While hearing protection devices are often provided in the US, officers rarely receive information on hearing loss prevention or hearing protection devices.

Law enforcement officers are required to train regularly in the use of firearms, typically at indoor firing ranges. Training schedules vary widely, from eight hours four times a year, every month for special teams, up to 20 times a month for the agency’s firearms instructors. In these training sessions, an officer could accrue hundreds to thousands of rounds of exposure to firearms impulse noise. Such exposures can exceed the occupational health limits of 140 decibels (dB), with sound levels often reaching 160-170&nbsp;dB peak sound pressure levels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brueck |first1=Scott E. |last2=Kardous |first2=Chuck A. |last3=Oza |first3=Aalok |last4=Murphy |first4=William J. |title=Measurement of Exposure to Impulsive Noise at Indoor and Outdoor Firing Ranges during Tactical Training Exercises |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2013-0124-3208.pdf |website=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (www.cdc.gov/niosh/) |publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=en |format=PDF |date=June 2014 |quote=Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2013-0124-3208}}</ref>  These could lead to hearing disorders such as [[hearing loss]] and [[tinnitus]]. While hearing protection devices are often provided in the US, officers rarely receive information on hearing loss prevention or hearing protection devices.

=== Lead ===

=== Lead ===