(2.

5) NO1SE POLLUTIoN
Definition
Noise pollution is defined as, "the unwanted,
unpleasant (or) disagreeable sound that
that cases discomfort
for all living beings,"
Unlt of Nolse (Decibel)
The sound intensity is measured in decibel (dB)
which is one tenth of the longest unit Bel. One dB is equal
to the faintest sound, a human ear can hear

Noise level
Normal conversation sound ranges from 35 dB to 60
dB. Impairment of hearing takes place due to exposure to
noise of 80 dB (or) more. Noise above 140 dB becomes
painful.

25.1 Types and sources (causes) of nolse

It has been found that environmental noise is
doubling every 10 years. Generally noise is described as,
1. Industrial noise.

2. Transport noise.
3. Neighbourhood noise.
1. Industrial Noise
Highly intense sound (or) noise pollution is caused
by many machines. There
exists a long list of sources of
noise pollution
including
factories, industries and different machines, of numerous
and mils. Industrial noise, particularly
2.34 Environmental ScienG
from mechanical saws and pnenmatic drill i unbesta

and is a nuisance to public.

bythe
Recently.
it has been
Oto-Rino Laryngology.
observed
Institute
Chennai that enornmously increasing
damaged the hearing ofof about 20%
industrial pollution has
workers.
steel. industry, the workers near the
Example In the blowers are exposed lo 112
heavyy industrial
eight hours and suffer from the
dB for
occupational pollution.

2. Transport Noise
noise, comes from transport. It mainly
The main noise and
road traffic noise, rail traffic air craft
includes
The number of road vehicles like motors, SCOOters,
noise. particularly the diesel
trucks and
cars, motor cycles, buses, enormously in recent years
engine vehicles have increased
is gainine
That is why. this form of pollution
especially in large and over crowded towns and
importance, in most of the
cities. According to experts, the noise level
residential areas in metropolitan cities is already hovering
pollution.
on the border line because of vehicular noise
Asurvey conducted in metropolitan cities has showD
that noise level in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta is as high
as 90 dB. Inhabitants of cities are subjected to this most
annoying form of transport noise which gradually deafen
them.

3. Neighbourhood Noise
This type of noise includes disturbance rom
household gadgets and community. Common noise makers
are musical instruments, TV, VCR, radios, transistors,
telephones, and loudspeakers etc., Ever since the
the industrial
 7. 5. 4 years.ten
6. 2
In 0ccurs
82 7evoluEnvonme
tion,noise nPotalution
Cardlo
Ultrasonic
the pathologicalnoise, damage ofexposed damage The also cause It and the breakdown,
impairment These
in tensioetnc., It have
Noise
al addition certain affects hormone
rate
neurologircealsponsiadrenal
ble inefficiency. Effects makes
mostproduce
damage dilation causes known
scular impulsive to to to of ofadverse the Pollution
to the the immediate muscles
ear. sound frequency ver y some of
health of heart
content hormone to for skin It ofenvironmentin
disorders. serious ear emotional to probl e ms,
Thestems can noise hai r loud pupi l reactions cause hig h pal causes
drum. part hearing heart,
efficiency beat, e, affects
Noise
cells and of to
rate affect
also loss pattern and ofblo0d, blo od into leads
eye. are contract birth mental contractionhuman
ofand ofProlongedin sudden whi disturbances.
ofch acute brain, contraction
the causes
hearing the auditory blood to
Pollution has
art and coupled
which defects pressure,
cular
digestive, wil effect kidneys, distress, excessive health, been
inner noise leading
beat psychological exposure diminishes behaviour. of stream of
due lead of in and doubling
may ear. system.
acute liver blood turn wi th Blaring
heart blood
spiratory. to to noise to secretion comfort
canals excessive to and a abortion. which
also chronic damage Itvessels,
noise When by is increasechange nervous attackssounds vessels, every
be of and the the may may is of
and
 2.36 Environmental Sciences and

affected. It may decrease (or)

the type of noise.
increase

affected by loud
Sdepeunstadininabgilty
8. Brain is also adversely
noise as that of jet and aeroplane noise etc. P and sudde
Psychiatric illness. Co
are subjected to blood
9. Recently it has been reported that
thickened by excessive noises. 2
10, t is quite surprising that our optical system is also
a prey for noise
pollution. Pupillary yek

impaiment of night vision and decrease in thileationra,le

anc

of colour perception are some of 1ts severe ef red

res
2.5.3 Control (or) Preventive measures oof.
noise pollution
1. Source Control
This may include source modification
acoustic treatment to machine surface, design such as
limiting the operational timings and so changes,
2. Transmission Path Intervention
This may include containing the source inside a
sound insulating enclosure, construction of a noise bamier
(or) provision of sound absorbing materials along the path
3. Receptor controlNE
This includes protection of the
the work schedule (or) provision of receiver by altering
devices such as ear plugs for operatingpersonal protection
noisy machinery.
The measure ma may include dissipation and deflection
methods.
4. Oiling
Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the
machines.