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31 viewsNoise Pollution
Concept of Noise pollution
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/ 11
‘gources of noise pollution and its eff
Gi. INTRODUCTION
era ao
ects,
Definition | Noise is defined as Unwanted sound
All of us have experienceq the j
environmental problems,
attention and is a now sou:
os Noise Pollution can be defined as an unwanted or undesired sound, which
Definition | is Teleased into the environment; which has potential to disrupt the normal
functioning of any natural ecosystem or some human community.
It disturbs the human b effect on the mental and
Psychological well being. In
s be defined as the state of
discomfort and Testlessness tq human beings caused by unwanted high intensity sound.
Idwide as an environmental problem that
well being of human beings. Unfortunately,
to curb this menace. A lot needs to be done in areas of
iitiag of sound proofing measures and research and development
Atives in the automobile sector.
Man’
inthe S Contribution
ob Problem attainin,
“™ also lies withi
IS us wi
eing and cause an adverse
Wide spread Consequences on health and
£ ae not doing enough
Wareness Seneration, use
0 noise pollution is undisputed and his activities have resulted
'g such frightening proportions today. Thus the remedy for this
in us and it is we who should take up the initiative. Each problem
Mh an Opportunity to work towards addressing it.
“standing the problem is the first step in this direction.
a
81 % Environmental Studies
Muse tay ten seem as hartal as the contamination of ait or water. but it is ,
pMiatiom problem that canes an adverse effect on the mental and psychological wey
being and can conttitane to 4 general deterioration of emcironmental quality.
Nerve may be continu. ot intermenent Nose may be of high frequency or o¢
ferw frequency which mm wndevired fer a nenmnal hearing. For exasnple. the typical
A 4 RAS produces writad, which is montly unfavourable to pormal hearing. Since ix jx
wenrseted send, we call We pense
Fig. 61.
toe tate znd enezest of the person/species receiving it, the ambient conditions and impact
of the sens geeeceted Curing that particular duration of time. There could be instances
that, crcelietst, rendered musical concen for example, may be felt as. noise and
cuerpo rasex, x5 well duting the course of the concert!
Se ws of bem ravers aed artificial type. Natural noise is caused by natural sources
Wee chert theoeder. tatteunmes, watertalls, avalanches and landslides etc. Artificial nose
is the nmceme of temas activites Nike running of machines, automobiles, aicraits.
ration, eviews, cthausttass, lawn-movers, blowing of sirens, loud-speakers, ant
nyanreeg ciltarss prograsines, datce, afd music etc. hh is the antificial avise pollution,
whack 1% meteasing Our growing urban and industrial activities and is a maner of
Meiers Cee
There ate, wae very tatmtul effects caused by exposure w high sound levels. These
CHlects can tatge im severity trom being extremely annoying w being extremely painful
a banat
Somnd is meavated in 4 unit called the ‘decibel’ (4B) which is the unit of
wreamsterncts Of imersity of sexo. Noise Pollution ;
8
A noise of zero dB oy .
vugn car while that of Papas scale represents the faintest sound audible to
iis the level at which sound b shows the sound of large rocket engine. Usually 80
eee ee : ecomes physically painful and can be termed as noise.
These ew examples of threshold decibels of noises made
Threshold of hearing 0 dB | Motorcycle (30 feet) 88 dB
Rustling leaves 20 dB | Food blender (3 feet) 90 dB
Quiet whisper (3 feet) 30 dB | Subway (inside) 94 dB
Quiet home 40 dB | Diesel truck (30 feet) 100 4B
Quiet street 50 dB | Power mower (3 feet) 107 dB
Normal conversation 60 dB | Pneumatic riveter (3 feet) 115 dB
Inside car 70 dB | Chainsaw (3 feet) 117 4B
Loud singing (3 feet) 75 dB | Amplified Rock and Roll (6 feet) | 120 dB
Automobile (25 feet) 80 dB | Jet plane (100 feet) 130 dB
In India, noise pollution is growing in recent years due to increase in industrial,
urban, transport and construction activities. A number of studies have revealed that noise
pollution is a greater menace in most of the cities of India characterized with high traffic
density and industrial activities. However, the level of pollution varies in accordance
with the location, time, population density and functions of the city
The studies revealed common feature . high noise Jevel in the areas located close
to aerodromes, railway stations, bus terminals, industrial establishments, busy markets,
high density traffic routes and high population density clusters. Loudspeakers and traffic
noise is the great nuisance in the Indian cities. The level of pollution increases during
festivals, cultural programmes, elections, national festivities and victories and traffic jams.
Humans, animals, plants and even inert objects like buildings and bridges have been
victims of the increasing noise pollution caused in the world. Be it human or machine-
created, noise disrupts the activity and balance of life. While traffic dons the cap of
being the largest noise maker throughout the world, there are many others that add to
it, making our globe susceptible to its effects. The effect of noise po'lution is multi-
faceted and inter-related. Some of the causes and effects of noise pollution are given
below :
1. Traffic noise is the main source of noise pollution caused in urban areas. With
the ever-increasing number of vehicles on road, the sound caused by the cars
and exhaust system of autos, trucks, buses and motorcycles is the chief reason
for noise pollution.
2. With the low flying military aircrafts soaring over the national parks, wasteland
and other vacant areas, the level of noise pollution has drastically increased in
these previously unaffected zones. i Environmental Stug,
3. People living beside railway stations put up with a lot of nois from ocomorig
engines, horns and whistles and switching and shunting operation in rail Yards
This is one of the major sources of noise pollution.
4. To meet the demands of the basic necessity of living, the construction of buildings,
highways and city streets causes a lot of noise. Pneumatic hammers, ait
compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks and pavement breakers are the
major sources of noise pollution in construction sites.
5. Though not a prime reason, industrial noise adds to the noise pollution,
Machinery, motors and compressors used in the industries create a lot of noisy
which adds to the already detrimental state of noise pollution.
6. Plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners and fans create a lot of noise ip
the buildings and add to the prevailing noise pollution.
7. Household equipments, such as vacuum cleaners, mixers and some kitchen
appliances are noisemakers of the house. Though they do not cause too much of
problem, their effect cannot be neglected.
Noise pollution is environmental noise that is annoying, distracting, or physically
harmful. It violates the peace and privacy of a citizen's life and home, and creates
problems for the community. Noise pollution is not only causing environmental damage
but it also has negative impact on human health as it can cause conditions such as
aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, etc.
There are several sources of noise pollution that contribute to both indoor and outdoor
noise pollution. Noise emanating from factories, vehicles, and playing of loudspeakers
during various festivals can contribute to outdoor noise pollution, while loudly played
radio or music systems, and other electronic gadgets can contribute to indoor noise
pollution.
Noise affects human life in many ways. It influences sleep, hearing, mental and
physical health and communication. Irrespective of the source, noise is a pollutant and
besides its contribution to stress levels, impaired hearing, and other body dysfunctions
are yet to be fully understood.
Based on its origin, noise pollution can be divided into two categories :
(a) Natural
(b) Man-made
@ Natural sources of noise : It includes lighting, volcanic eruptions, sea tide
movement, rivers, shores, birds/animal shouts, wind movement, thunder and waterfalls
etc.
(6) Man-made noise : Man-made noise can be chiefly attributed to machines and
modern equipment of various types including automobiles, trains, aeroplanes, explosives ois Pollution
fire crackers and others, By 85
a ; tthe two mai
cesponsible for noise pollution are as follows man-made sources which are mainly
1. Industrial Sources ; —
t Noise j
: i : S genera ale :
rinding, cutting, welding, pressing ne by various industrial processes like
inerie: i . ng etc. Simil: eae
achineries or equipments . imilarly noise is also produced by
meds equipments de a ce industrial operations. The et ae
5 ur
fermentation tank etc, Mine, rotary compressor, centrifugal pump.
Beside this generator sets, boil
> ers, pla .
vehicles, pumps, motors etc, Plant operations, trolley movement, transport
2, Non-industrial Sources ;
as follows :
() Loudspeaker :
Among the non-industrial sources, important ones are
In Indi
ees pecaliie @ India, one of the very common man made source of noise
pollute le frequent use of loudspeaker. For every occasion, religious, or
non-religious, public or private, presence of loudspeaker has been a must, as if it has
been one of the paraphernalia. The most shocking example of the use of loudspeaker
is the one made for religious purposes. Most people bear it and are reluctant to lodge
a complaint for the fear of unpleasant neighbourhood relations and fear.
It has been observed on certain occasions that continuous use of loudspeakers create
disturbances to the students during examination periods. Their use adds to the agony of
patients. Loudspeakers are also blaring loud noise from morning to dead to night for
advertisement purposes by various persons, groups and companies to popularize their
products.
(i) Construction work : During demolition of old sites and construction of new
buildings huge machines which produce D.lot of noise are being commissioned and it
has become a common scene in every big city where construction work is in progr8SS.
Huge machines used in construction work produce a lot of noise. A lot of noise has
been created during the construction of repair work of roads in cities.
(i) Road Traffic : A great role for the increase of noise pollution has been carried
out by various types of road vehicles especially by auto vehicle. Generally no regulation
has been observed in blowing of horns and use of defective silencer pipes except in
Some specific zones. Road traffic - noise affects those persons in great extent who live
adjacent to roads. : :
Je noise into residential area is known to occur over
e major road routes. Furthermore, it is known to be a
5 i \ssenger car etc.), the type of tires used
functi cle (diesel truck, passe ? 5 ee
a of fe he bears the vehicle is driven, the way in which the vehicle is
le road surface
‘ ; wuffler.
driven, and the condition of the silencer orm
The penetration of vehicl
Considerable distances from th = Environmental sug,
1
The varying traffic conditions (motorway, urban city), the concentration of ye
(heavy commercial, private etc.) and the speeds at which the traffic is allowed to
all influence the noise patterns.
ice
flow
Measurement and analysis of such noise sources therefore inevitably Preseny
considerable problems, and numerous attempts have been made to quantify/mode) the
noise exposure patterns in various environmental situations. Automobiles constitutes largey
group of creators of noise. In cities 60-70% of noise may come from road traffic,
(iv) Trains : The impact of the noise pollution by trains has been reported to the
maximum in those areas where railways track pass through residential areas. Noise from
railway operations is by no means as serious a nuisance as noise from other
transportation systems. However, concern has been expressed over the past few years
about the effect of high-speed trains running through residential areas.
(») Aircrafts : The use of aircrafts of many types has been generating various types
of noises. The higher the speed of an aircraft the greater the noise pollution the invention
of supersonic aircrafts has added more noise for the plight of persons who live near
aerodromes.
The takeoff and landing of an aircraft produces unbearable for a normal human being.
The noise of supersonic jet planes may sometimes break windowpanes, crack plaster
and shake buildings. By these effects of noise one can very easily and fully understand
that what would be the effects of such noise on human body.
(vi) Radios and Microphones : Radios and microphones can cause noise pollution
if they are switched on with high volumes.
(vii) Agricultural Machines : Tractors, thrashers, harvesters, tube wells, powered
tillers etc., have all made agriculture highly mechanical but at the same time highly
noisy. Noise level 90 dB due to running of farm machines has been recorded in the
State Punjab.
6.3. EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION |
Noise has become a very important “stress factor” in the environment of man. It
has many effects on exposed population. It can have a number of undesirable effects
depending upon its intensity, frequency, duration and time of the day when it occurs.
Noise has always been with the human civilization but it was never so obvious, s0
intense, so varied & as pervasive as it is seen in the last of this century, Noise pollution
makes men more irritable. The effect of noise pollution is multifaceted & inter related. noise Pollution
The various effects of -
“lS Of noise i
Pollution on jy
luman be
8 other physiologica
‘ai ise ce siological process).
Similarly, noise can show varig ae
plants and animals,
us detrimental effects on other living organisms like
Auditory
Effects
Non-Auditory
Effects
Physical
Annoyance isons like
increase in
Auditoty fatigue Deatness Sete heart beats,
efficiency eed
Interteience — ~
in speech
‘communication
Fig. 6.2.
1. Auditory Effects : The most acute and immediate effect of noise pohution is
impairing of hearing which may cause auditory fatigue and may even finally lead to
deafness.
(@ Fatigue : Because of Noise Pollution, people cannot concentrate on their work.
Thus they have to give their more time for completing the work and they feel tiring.
* Auditory fatigue occurs when exposed to noise levels of 90 dB or above. In
metro cities, most of the shopkeepers, cobblers, fruit sellers complain tinnitus in
ear.
(6) Temporary or permanent Deafness : Deafness occurs when exposed to loud
noise. The workers working in the noisy workplace environment may suffer from Noise
Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Mechanics, locomotive drivers, telephone operators etc.
all have their hearing impairment as a result of noise at the place of work. Physicist,
Physicians and psychologists are of the view that continued exposure to noise level above
80 to 100 dB is unsafe. Loss may be temporary or permanent. Prolonged exposure to
high noise levels leads to permanent deafness.
2. Non-auditory Effects : Non-auditory effects are also alarming, because of the
fact that they also cause severe diseases. It includes imerference with speech
Communication, annoyance leading to ill-temper, mental disturbance and violent behaviour.
It also causes loss of working efficiency due to physiological disorder. |
: Environmental Study
(a) Abortion is caused : In females, the chances of miscarriage and inborn bint
defects are more in noisy environment. There should be cool and calm atmosphere uting
the pregnancy. Unpleasant sounds make a lady of irritative nature. Sudden noise causes
abortion in females.
(6) Physiological disorders : Noise pollution causes certain diseases in human, jj
attacks on the person's peace of mind. The noises are recognized as major Contributing
factors in accelerating the already existing tensions of modern living. These tensions
result in Physiological disorders; which in turn results in increase heart rate, increase
in blood pressure, and change in skin temperature and blood circulation, cardio-vascular’
diseases, and change in levels of hormones.
(c) Loss of working efficiency of a man : Regarding the impact of noise on human
efficiency there are number of experiments which print out the fact that human efficiency
increases with noise reduction. A study reveals ‘hat reducing industrial booths could
improve the quality of their work. Thus human efficiency is related with noise.
(@ Lack of concentration: For better quality of work there should be concentration,
noise causes lack of concentration. In big cities, mostly all the offices are on main
road, The noise of traffic or the loud speakers of different types of horns divert the
attention of the people working in offices.
Other Effects of Noise :
1, Effect on animals :
(i) Noise pollution damages the nervous system of animal. Animal looses the control
of its mind. They become dangerous.
(ii) Aircraft noise and sonic booms have been implicated as a cause of lowered
reproduction in a variety of animals.
(ii) Military sonar has been responsible for the deaths of possibly thousands of
dolphins and whales.
(iv) In dairy cows, excessive noise reduces feed consumption, milk yield, and rate
of milk release.
(v) Noise pollution disturbs feeding and breeding patterns of some animals and has
been identified as a contributing factor of the extinction of some species.
(vi) Noise pollution is also a serious issue in our seas and oceans, especially for
creatures such as dolphins and whales. Noise pollution has very negative impact
on hearing sense of these animals, which makes certain activities of these species
such as hunting for prey and navigation very difficult. Noise pollution in our
oceans is constantly increasing because of the increased ship traffic and also
because of offshore oil drilling. (p piven oe
anthropogenic. noise.
0) Birds in a city need to call longer and louder than their country counterparts.
(jii) Intense noise can affect growth of chickens and egg production. :
3. Effect on vegetation : Now it is well known to all that plants are similar to
human being. They are also as sensitive as man. There should be cool and peaceful
environment for their better growth. Noise pollution causes poor quality of crops ina
pleasant atmosphere.
4, Effect on property : Loud noise is very dangerous to buildings, bridges and
monuments. It creates waves which struck the walls and put the building in danger
rondition. It weakens the edifice of buildings.
er
4. NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL
Noise pollution is relevant as we live in a society exposed to high levels of noise.
It is emerging as a big problem, combating the noise pollution is a challenge for the
government, policy makers, self help groups and citizens. There are many dimensions
to the problem of noise pollution which need to be fully understood.
Exposure to noise levels in excess of the permissible limits can have short term
and long term consequences on health. Noise from sources like vehicles, loud speakers,
trains; planes firecrackers etc. are now dominating our lives like never before. The
problem of noise pollution has reached dangerous proportions in our cities. It can also
cause stress, psychological illness and is harmful for everyone irrespective of their age
group. Noise also affects inanimate objects like historic monuments and buildings.
Thus there exists an urgent need to sensitize the population on the ill effects of
noise pollution. So we have to take steps to minimize and control generation of noise
As responsible citizens, each one of us needs to play a pro-active role in spreading
awareness on the issue.
Following are some of the measures that can be taken to curb the noise pollution :
Insulation :
1. Sound proofing to doors,
office to prevent excessive disturbance.
2, Insulator usually employed in theatre and cinemas are curtain to avoid the
formation of echo during theatrical performance.
3. Using of ear piece for protection of
4. Construction of sound barrier separating urban housing and nearby highway to
reduce the noise level produced from heavy traffic vehicles.
walls and ceilings to decrease the level of noise in
workers in industrial working areas. 90
oy
Envlronmentayg
Vegetation : Absorption and screcning of noise pollution in housing area ang ...
adopting the ‘green city’ concept. “ti,
Zoning :
i
2.
3.
Qi.
Ans.
Q2.
Ans.
“hy
Restructuring of urban areas to maintain a separation between residemtia, ate,
and zones of excessive noise.
Systematic coordination of development in an industrialized area to ensure Prope,
zoning of factories from buildings nearby. i"
Sustainable development of industries proportion to an area to ensure equilib...
with population in that area in order to produce a balanced physiology ‘