divyeshpatel
New member
Cause and Effects of Noise Pollution
No one on earth can escape the sounds of noise- an unwanted, disturbing sound that causes a nuisance in the eye of the beholder. Noise is a disturbance to the human environment that is escalating at such a high rate that it will become a major threat to the quality of human lives. In the past thirty years, noise in all areas, especially in urban areas, have been increasing rapidly. There are numerous effects on the human environment due to the increase in noise pollution. In the following paper, the cause and effects of noise pollution will be presented in some detail. Slowly, insensibly, we seem to accept noise and the physiological and psychological deterioration that accompanies it as an inevitable part of our lives. Although we attempt to set standards for some of the most major sources of noise, we often are unable to monitor them. Major sources of noise can be airplanes at takeoff and landing, and a truck just off the assembly line, yet we seem accept and enjoy countless other sounds, from hard rock music to loud Harley Davidson motor cycles. The following areas will be investigated in some detail; adolescent education, neural-effects, sleep, hearing damage, occupational environment, transportation, and physiological effects.
Barking dogs, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, power saws, snow blowers, church bells, jackhammers, motorcycles, airplanes, car stereo systems, and traffic generally have combined to such a degree that noise induced irritation, annoyance, discomfort, and hearing impairment have become a significant public health issue, certainly enough of one to motivate a political response.
Steps to control noise pollution:
1. The first approach has been to reduce noise at source. Design and fabrication of silencing devices and their use in aircraft engines, trucks, cars, motorcycles, industrial machines and home appliances would be an effective measure. Protection to workers can be provided through wearing devices such as earplugs and earmuffs.
2. Making a change in design and operation of machines, vibration control, sound proof cabins and sound-absorbing materials can reduce it.
3. It can get reduced by prescribing noise limits for vehicular traffic, ban on honking of horns in certain areas and planning main traffic arteries, industrial establishments, amusement areas, residential colonies, creation of silent zones near schools and hospitals and resigning of building to make them noise proof. Other measures can involve reduction of traffic density in residential areas giving preferences to mass public transport system.
4. Control of Indoor Noise. Where outdoor noise levels have been high, the following methods can be applied for reducing their effect.
a. Locate in the building as far as possible from noise source. The noise level
drops about 6dB each time the distance is doubled.
b. Trees and shrubs may be planted in front of building to provide some
absorption for the sound.
c. Locate non-critical areas such as corridors kitchens, bathrooms, elevators
and service spaces in the noisy side and critical areas each as bedrooms and
living spaces on the quiet side.
d. Back to back bathrooms or toilets should be avoided unless they are effectively sound isolated. Bathrooms, kitchen and laundry rooms should not be adjacent to the floor.
e. Bathroom walls, floor and ceiling should be sound insulated using construction of high sound insulation glasses.
f. Noisy toilets, is bettered by quiet siphon jet type flush toilets should be installed to reduce the noise from the source. Commode seats with double siphon system are now available and may be adopted wherever possible.
5. Road Noise. Vegetation buffer zones must be created in different parts of the city. Efforts should be made for roadside plantations.
6. An Urgent Need for Legislation to Control Noise Pollution. We have seen that in India, in absences of a specific legislation for control and prevention of the noise pollution, one has to seek provisions in various branches of law and regulations. There has been no doubt that the available provisions in various branches of law and regulations. There has been no doubt that the available provisions in various branches of law are adequate, unscientific and crude. In most of the developed countries specific legislations have been made and scientific methods for investigation of noise pollution have been invented. The science of audiometer and other branched related to sound have been developed and it becomes comfortable to device various legal provisions to control and prevent noise pollution.
How can noise effect us?
Effects on the Ear
• Deafness
o Temporary Deafness: This Persists for about 24 hours after exposure to loud noise.
o Permanent Deafness: Repeated or continous exposure to noise of around 100 dB results in permanent hearing loss.
Even single exposure to noise of 160 dB can lead to rupture of ear drum and permanent deafness.
In cases of long term exposure to moderatly loud noise, the onset and progress of noise induced deafness is very gradual and by the time the individual is already somewhat deaf, he/she many not be aware of the deafness until the deafness starts affecting the person's ability to hear normal conversation, telephone rings and doorbells etc.
• Auditory Fatigue
Noise of 90 dB causes buzzing and whistling in the ears.
Effects on other systems
• Decreased Work Efficiency
With increasing noise, efficiency of work decreases because of disturbed concentration, annoyance and early onset of fatigue.
• Increased Intracranial Pressure
(Fluid Pressure of the Cerebro Spinal Fluid, the fluid present inside the cavites of brain and between brain and skull)
This leads to Headache, Nausea and Giddiness.
• Increased Blood Pressure
Noise can very effectively raise the Blood Pressure of even a normal person.
• Increased Heart Rate, Respiration rate and Sweating.
Diminished Night Vision, Colour Perception and visual disturbances.
As present, there is no specific and detailed legislation to control the noise pollution. However, there is an urgent need that the Central Government of India should manage to get a legislation passed for the control of noise pollution. Some legislation regarding water and air pollution have been made in India.
Government should pass the ‘Noise Pollution control Act’ to meet special India condition. Apart from such kind of Central legislation, there should be a city noise control code for all major cities in India. Creation of unnecessary noise has to be prohibited and should be punishable under law.
7. Education. People can be educated through radio, TV, newsreels in cinema halls about noise pollution. In the family, elders can teach children to keep the radio volume low, low voice talking not to horn unnecessarily on the roads, avoid quarreling amongst each other and so on. There should be complete ban of loudspeakers form 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
8. Public Awakening and the Control. It is also important that public awakening is also very essential for the control and prevention of the noise pollution. In India, most of the persons lack any idea about the ways in which noise pollution could be controlled. Very few scientist are aware of the problem and its control. Masses are still ignorant of the grave effects of the noise pollution. In this regard television, radio, internet, and newspapers should give a campaign for wide publicity.
It is also true that in the present set up of industrialization one should be able to face the noise pollution to a certain extent. If somehow form a machinery noise producing gadget has been taken out completely, in such cases noiseless machinery may become more dangerous, then with noise creating gadget. Take the example of a locomotive engine. Noise of a locomotive engine especially the noise of its whistle has been very useful in keeping humans and animals away form the tracks. In such cases a limit of noise in terms of decibels may be recommended.
The most important body of people who are or should be involved in noise control are the manufactories of noise-producing devices, since in their hands lies the most effective way of controlling noise at the source. However, we live in a society where even the most enlightened manufacturers need an incentive to invest in the extensive research, development, design and tooling that might be required to reduce noise emissions form their products. Such incentives are provided, in essence, by legislation enforced either centrally or locally. To appreciate the number of people and organizations involved in legislation for noise control and with ways in which they influence this legislation require a look at the history of governments concern with problem of noise.
These standards or "ideas" may be easily controlled of all environmental problems, but just as every other problem, do we want to change for the sake of noise pollution? If the question is answered with integrity and honesty, it is sure that not many would want to change over some small portion of noise pollution. With the exceptions of the throwing the blame at someone else makes it so much easy to control noise, since its not the life of yourself being at stake to change.
Psychological and physical effects of noise at different decibel levels (db)
Noise Level in decibels Source Effect
135 pneumatic drill painful
110 rock band pneumatic drill
88 industry / city traffic hearing impairment on prolonged exposure
80 alarm clock annoying
65 average city traffic intrusive
No one on earth can escape the sounds of noise- an unwanted, disturbing sound that causes a nuisance in the eye of the beholder. Noise is a disturbance to the human environment that is escalating at such a high rate that it will become a major threat to the quality of human lives. In the past thirty years, noise in all areas, especially in urban areas, have been increasing rapidly. There are numerous effects on the human environment due to the increase in noise pollution. In the following paper, the cause and effects of noise pollution will be presented in some detail. Slowly, insensibly, we seem to accept noise and the physiological and psychological deterioration that accompanies it as an inevitable part of our lives. Although we attempt to set standards for some of the most major sources of noise, we often are unable to monitor them. Major sources of noise can be airplanes at takeoff and landing, and a truck just off the assembly line, yet we seem accept and enjoy countless other sounds, from hard rock music to loud Harley Davidson motor cycles. The following areas will be investigated in some detail; adolescent education, neural-effects, sleep, hearing damage, occupational environment, transportation, and physiological effects.
Barking dogs, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, power saws, snow blowers, church bells, jackhammers, motorcycles, airplanes, car stereo systems, and traffic generally have combined to such a degree that noise induced irritation, annoyance, discomfort, and hearing impairment have become a significant public health issue, certainly enough of one to motivate a political response.
Steps to control noise pollution:
1. The first approach has been to reduce noise at source. Design and fabrication of silencing devices and their use in aircraft engines, trucks, cars, motorcycles, industrial machines and home appliances would be an effective measure. Protection to workers can be provided through wearing devices such as earplugs and earmuffs.
2. Making a change in design and operation of machines, vibration control, sound proof cabins and sound-absorbing materials can reduce it.
3. It can get reduced by prescribing noise limits for vehicular traffic, ban on honking of horns in certain areas and planning main traffic arteries, industrial establishments, amusement areas, residential colonies, creation of silent zones near schools and hospitals and resigning of building to make them noise proof. Other measures can involve reduction of traffic density in residential areas giving preferences to mass public transport system.
4. Control of Indoor Noise. Where outdoor noise levels have been high, the following methods can be applied for reducing their effect.
a. Locate in the building as far as possible from noise source. The noise level
drops about 6dB each time the distance is doubled.
b. Trees and shrubs may be planted in front of building to provide some
absorption for the sound.
c. Locate non-critical areas such as corridors kitchens, bathrooms, elevators
and service spaces in the noisy side and critical areas each as bedrooms and
living spaces on the quiet side.
d. Back to back bathrooms or toilets should be avoided unless they are effectively sound isolated. Bathrooms, kitchen and laundry rooms should not be adjacent to the floor.
e. Bathroom walls, floor and ceiling should be sound insulated using construction of high sound insulation glasses.
f. Noisy toilets, is bettered by quiet siphon jet type flush toilets should be installed to reduce the noise from the source. Commode seats with double siphon system are now available and may be adopted wherever possible.
5. Road Noise. Vegetation buffer zones must be created in different parts of the city. Efforts should be made for roadside plantations.
6. An Urgent Need for Legislation to Control Noise Pollution. We have seen that in India, in absences of a specific legislation for control and prevention of the noise pollution, one has to seek provisions in various branches of law and regulations. There has been no doubt that the available provisions in various branches of law and regulations. There has been no doubt that the available provisions in various branches of law are adequate, unscientific and crude. In most of the developed countries specific legislations have been made and scientific methods for investigation of noise pollution have been invented. The science of audiometer and other branched related to sound have been developed and it becomes comfortable to device various legal provisions to control and prevent noise pollution.
How can noise effect us?
Effects on the Ear
• Deafness
o Temporary Deafness: This Persists for about 24 hours after exposure to loud noise.
o Permanent Deafness: Repeated or continous exposure to noise of around 100 dB results in permanent hearing loss.
Even single exposure to noise of 160 dB can lead to rupture of ear drum and permanent deafness.
In cases of long term exposure to moderatly loud noise, the onset and progress of noise induced deafness is very gradual and by the time the individual is already somewhat deaf, he/she many not be aware of the deafness until the deafness starts affecting the person's ability to hear normal conversation, telephone rings and doorbells etc.
• Auditory Fatigue
Noise of 90 dB causes buzzing and whistling in the ears.
Effects on other systems
• Decreased Work Efficiency
With increasing noise, efficiency of work decreases because of disturbed concentration, annoyance and early onset of fatigue.
• Increased Intracranial Pressure
(Fluid Pressure of the Cerebro Spinal Fluid, the fluid present inside the cavites of brain and between brain and skull)
This leads to Headache, Nausea and Giddiness.
• Increased Blood Pressure
Noise can very effectively raise the Blood Pressure of even a normal person.
• Increased Heart Rate, Respiration rate and Sweating.
Diminished Night Vision, Colour Perception and visual disturbances.
As present, there is no specific and detailed legislation to control the noise pollution. However, there is an urgent need that the Central Government of India should manage to get a legislation passed for the control of noise pollution. Some legislation regarding water and air pollution have been made in India.
Government should pass the ‘Noise Pollution control Act’ to meet special India condition. Apart from such kind of Central legislation, there should be a city noise control code for all major cities in India. Creation of unnecessary noise has to be prohibited and should be punishable under law.
7. Education. People can be educated through radio, TV, newsreels in cinema halls about noise pollution. In the family, elders can teach children to keep the radio volume low, low voice talking not to horn unnecessarily on the roads, avoid quarreling amongst each other and so on. There should be complete ban of loudspeakers form 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
8. Public Awakening and the Control. It is also important that public awakening is also very essential for the control and prevention of the noise pollution. In India, most of the persons lack any idea about the ways in which noise pollution could be controlled. Very few scientist are aware of the problem and its control. Masses are still ignorant of the grave effects of the noise pollution. In this regard television, radio, internet, and newspapers should give a campaign for wide publicity.
It is also true that in the present set up of industrialization one should be able to face the noise pollution to a certain extent. If somehow form a machinery noise producing gadget has been taken out completely, in such cases noiseless machinery may become more dangerous, then with noise creating gadget. Take the example of a locomotive engine. Noise of a locomotive engine especially the noise of its whistle has been very useful in keeping humans and animals away form the tracks. In such cases a limit of noise in terms of decibels may be recommended.
The most important body of people who are or should be involved in noise control are the manufactories of noise-producing devices, since in their hands lies the most effective way of controlling noise at the source. However, we live in a society where even the most enlightened manufacturers need an incentive to invest in the extensive research, development, design and tooling that might be required to reduce noise emissions form their products. Such incentives are provided, in essence, by legislation enforced either centrally or locally. To appreciate the number of people and organizations involved in legislation for noise control and with ways in which they influence this legislation require a look at the history of governments concern with problem of noise.
These standards or "ideas" may be easily controlled of all environmental problems, but just as every other problem, do we want to change for the sake of noise pollution? If the question is answered with integrity and honesty, it is sure that not many would want to change over some small portion of noise pollution. With the exceptions of the throwing the blame at someone else makes it so much easy to control noise, since its not the life of yourself being at stake to change.
Psychological and physical effects of noise at different decibel levels (db)
Noise Level in decibels Source Effect
135 pneumatic drill painful
110 rock band pneumatic drill
88 industry / city traffic hearing impairment on prolonged exposure
80 alarm clock annoying
65 average city traffic intrusive
