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Noise pollution
Sources of Noise pollution
Effects of Noise pollution on human health
Effects of Noise pollution on wildlife
Effects of Noise pollution on plants
Measurement of noise
Noise pollution in big cities
Noise pollution in festivals
Mitigation and control of noise
Noise Pollution Control Rule and Acts in India
Awareness on Noise pollution
References
Noise pollution
Noise has been defined as "unwanted sound, a potential hazard to health and
communication dumped into the environment with regard to the adverse
effect it may have on unwilling ears". In general terms Sound which pleases the listeners is
music and that which causes pain and annoyance is noise. The disturbance produced in our
environment by the undesirable sound of various kinds is called "noise pollution".
Noise is a type of Environment Pollution .
Noise constitutes a real danger to people's health. At home, at work, and at play,
noise can produce serious physical and psychological stress. Researches
say that a loud noise during peak hours creates tiredness, irritation and impairs
brain activities so as to reduce thinking and working abilities. Loudspeakers,
automobiles, aero planes, rail engines, industries, radios, tape recorders,
festivals crackers, pop singers, processions, etc., are the main ear contaminators of
the city area and its market place. The effects of noise depending upon the intensity and the duration of the noise level. Noise affects sleep,
hearing, communication, mental and physical health. It may even lead to the madness of people.
Sources of Noise pollution
The major source of noise pollution are:
Loudspeakers Noise: Use of loudspeakers in religious places such as temples, mosque, churches, gurudwaras and other places
Road Traffic Noise: The main sources of traffic noise are the cars, autos , trucks, buses, and
motorcycles.
Noise from railways: The noise from rail engines, horns and whistles.
Air Craft Noise: Aircraft operations over cities, near airports areas produce a high frequency noise.
Construction Noise: The noise from the construction of highways , city
streets , and buildings is a major contributor of noise in urban areas.
Noise in Industry: Industrial noise impacts on industrial workers induced hearing loss.
Neighbors of noisy manufacturing plants can be disturbed by the noise of machines.
Noise by firecrackers: Firecrackers burst during Diwali festival and on other occasions
for fun or merry. A study conducted by researchers from the New
Delhi-based National Physical Laboratory show that noise generated by
firecrackers is much higher than the prescribed levels. |
Noise from Loudspeakers
Noise emanating from Automobiles
Noise emanating from Aero planes
Noise from rail engines
Noise emanating from Autos |
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Measurement of noise
A decibel is the standard for the measurement of noise. The zero on a
decibel scale is at the threshold of hearing, the lowest sound pressure
that can be heard, on the scale acc. A noise of 20 db is whisper, 40 db
the noise in a quiet office . 60 db is normal conversation, 80 db is the level at which sound becomes physically painful.
Noise pollution in big cities
The Noise quantum of some of the cities in
India indicate their pitch in decibel in the nosiest areas as;.Delhi- 80 db, Kolkata -
87, Mumbai -85, Chennai-89 db etc. Mumbai is among the noisiest cities in the world,
with noise wreaking the most havoc and putting Mumbaikars at increased risk of disturbed sleep patterns and
high blood pressure. According to civic reports on Mumbai's environment sh ow that noise levels
in 2011-12 were around 63 decibels (db) by day and 78db at night, against
the permissible limits of 50db and 40db respectively.
Noise pollution in festivals
In India, fireworks are burst on festivals like Dussehra, Diwali and on
special occasions like social gatherings, marriages, New year day, etc.
The bursting of firecrackers is a health hazard since it is responsible for both air
pollution and noise pollution .The use of Fireworks has led to air pollution in the form of noise and
smoke. Their excessive use has started to be a public hazard and violation of their fundamental rights
.Bursting of a firecracker near the ear can lead sometimes to non-recoverable hearing loss.
Mitigation and control of noise
Many countries of the World have enacted different legislations to
control the noise pollution. The US Noise Pollution and Abatement Act, 1970 is an important
legislation for regulating control and abatement of noise. Under this
Law the environment protection agency, acting through the office of Noise Abatement and
Control and compile information on noise pollution. For the Public Health And Welfare: Chapter 65- Noise Control(US), the United States to
promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health or welfare.
Noise Act 1996 in U.K. makes provision about noise emitted from dwellings at night;
about the forfeiture and confiscation of equipment used to make noise
unlawfully. Noise Regulation Law-Japan is to preserve living environment and contribute
to protection of the people's health by regulating noise generated by
different sources and by setting maximum permissible levels of noise. In People's Republic of China on Prevention and Control of
Pollution From Environmental Noise (adopted on October 29, 1996) is enacted for the purpose of preventing and controlling
environmental noise pollution, protecting and improving the living environment, ensuring human health and promoting economic and social
development.
Noise Pollution Control Rule and Acts in India
The Government of India framed and published Noise Pollution Control and
Regulation Rules, 1999. On 11th October, 2002 the Government of India brought in
an amendment in the Rules. The amendment empowered the State Government
to permit use of loudspeaker or public address system during night hours
(between 10 pm and 12 pm mid-night) on or during the cultural or religious occasions for a limited period not exceeding 15 days.
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000
notification by MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS contains :
1 Definitions 2, Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different
areas/zones. 3. Responsibility as to enforcement of noise pollution control
measures 4. Restrictions on the use of *loud speakers/public address
s1stem.* 5, Consequences of any violation in silence zone/area.
6. Complaints to be made to the authority
7. Power to prohibit etc. continuance of music sound or _noise.
The noise pollution rules 2000 that includes the following main provisions:-
* The state government may categories the areas in the industrial or
commercial or residential
* The ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different
areas have been specified.
* State government shall take measure for abatement of noise including
noise emanating from vehicular movement and ensure that the existing
noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards under these rules.
* An area not less than 100 m around hospitals educations institutions
and court may be declare as silence are for the purpose of these rules.
* A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except
after obtaining written permission from the authority and the same shall not be used at night. Between 10 pm to 6 am
* A person found violating the provisions as to the maximum noise permissible in any particular area shall be liable to be punished for it
as per the provision of these rules and any other law in force. |
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Noise pollution could increase the chances of heart attack
New research from The World Health Organization has shown that high
levels of noise can lead to elevated rates of stress and annoyance, which could lead to
Heart Disease and high Blood Pressure .
As well as being environmentally detrimental, the report says that noise
pollution can have "adverse psychosocial and physiological effects on public health? which can have serious health
consequences".
One reason for this is that noise pollution can affect the amount of
sleep people get at night. Having a disturbed sleep can make people restless and agitated in the mornings.
The problem is that our ears do not switch off when we are asleep, so we
continue to be affected by noise pollution even when we are not conscious.
Certain frequencies can result in permanent damage to our health, because when sound reaches a certain output in decibels can also leave
us with irreparable health issues.
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Awareness on Noise pollution
Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees life and personal liberty to
all persons. Those who make noise often pleading freedom of speech and right to
expression behind Article 19(1)A. But nobody can claim a fundamental right to create noise by
amplifying the sound of his speech with the help of loudspeakers. While
one has a right to speech, others have a right to listen or decline to
listen. Nobody can be compelled to listen and nobody can claim that he
has a right to make his voice trespass into the ears or mind of others. If anyone increases his volume
of speech with the help of loudspeakers to compulsorily expose unwilling persons to hear a noise raised to
unpleasant or obnoxious levels then the person speaking is violating the
right of others to a peaceful, comfortable and pollution-free life guaranteed by Article 21.
There is need for creating general awareness towards the
hazardous effects of noise pollution. In India the people generally lack consciousness of the ill effects which noise
pollution creates. The students of educational institutions and
schools children should be motivated to desist from playing with firecrackers, use of high sound producing
equipments on festivals, religious and social functions and
celebrations which cause noise pollution.
References
1.World Health Organization - Guidelines for Community Noise
<http://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/Comnoise-1.pdf>
2. Govt of India: Central Pollution Control Board FAQs <http://cpcb.nic.in/faq1.php>
3. Rosenhall U, Pedersen K, Svanborg A (1990). "Presbycusis and noise-induced hearing loss"
4. Karl D. Kryter, - The Effects of Noise on Man , Academic Press (1985)
5. Noise Pollution - World Health Organisation <http://www.euro.who.int/Noise>.
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Ganeshotsav 2012 hits 121.4dB, breaks record
The noise levels on the last day of Ganpati idol immersions in Mumbai breached
even the 10-year record "115dB on September 24 at the Opera House junction and Worli Naka " revealed a report released by Awaaz Foundation
convener Sumaira Abdulali on Sunday. |
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