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Noise pollution: sources and health effects.

 

Noise pollution:

Any undesirable sound that makes the living creature to feel discomfort is said to be noise pollution. Normally sound does not become noise unless and until it exceeds the threshold level of hearing. It depends upon one’s perception.

Noise emitted from all sources except noise at industrial work place is referred to as environmental noise or community noise or residential noise or domestic noise, whereas noise emitted at industrial work places is termed as occupational noise or industrial noise.


Measurement

Sound pressure is measured in logarithmic units called decibels (dB) with the help of an instrument known as Sound Level Meter.

The maximum threshold for humans is 80 dB.

Some definitions by different authors:

According to Ogunsote (1991,2010) noise pollution is defined as an unwanted or damaging sound which interfere with people are trying to do, or that which has an adverse effect on health and safety.

Ephraime (2002) defined noise pollution as undesirable sound and erratic, intermittent or statically random oscillation.

Noise according to Microsoft Encarta (2007) is the exposure of people or animals to levels of sounds that are annoying, stressful or damaging to the ears.

As far as sound is concerned it is comprised of wave motion in air or any other medium, sound travel through these mediums from the source to the recipients. the rate of oscillations of the medium is referred as frequency of the sound. According to WHO sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging regardless of exposure duration. Noise level beyond 85 dB with an exposure time of more than 8 hours is detrimental.

Noise pollution level and its harmful effects:

Level in dB

Effects

 

Up to 23

No disturbance

30-60

Stress, tension, psychological illnesses heart attack

60-90

Damage to health, disturbance in stomach gall function, pain in muscles, disturbance in sleeping

60-120

Damage to health and ontological (ear diseases)

Above 120

Painful effects in long run

 Idea of noise in everyday life activities

Level in dB

Activities

 

10

Breathing, grand canyon at night, no birds no wind

20

Quiet room, light wind in trees

30

Rustling of leaves, soft music, whisper

40

Average home noise

45

Refrigerator, forced air heating systems

50

Moderate rain, washing machine

60

General conservation, computer rooms

70

Busy street, vacuum cleaner

85

City traffic, lathe machine, lawn movers, alarm clock

95

Motorbike, riveting

100

Chainsaw

105

MP3 player at max volume, air compressors

120

Sirens, sports crowd, rock concert, air plane take off

130

Pneumatic tools, jack hammers

150

Firecrackers

 

 Sources of noise pollution

According to Ougnsote (1991) the major sources of noise pollution can be broadly categorized into two external and internal sources. However, Gregory (1998) identified three categories of noise as

Sources associated with activities and office equipment

Sources associated with operation of building services

Sources of environmental sound from outside the building.

Ganiyu and Ogunsote in (2010) categorized first two categories of Gregor classification as internal and third one as external source

External Sources

These include a variety of sources such as

Transportation

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has identified transportation as one of the most prevalent external source of noise pollution around the globe. The increased number of automobiles resulted in increased noise pollution. They include heavy trucks, bulldozers, buses, cars etc., Their speed and exhaust system determine their noise. the stigma of indiscriminate use of horns is also attached with this source

Industries

As we know that in the present scenario there is no any work in the industries that is carried out without the involvement of machines. They not only use a single machine but a combination of machines their working produce enormous noise almost every industry produce noise some of the major noise producing industries include textile mills, steel manufacturing industries.

Construction

Use of heaver machinery for construction and demolition purpose of roads, bridges dams etc. accounts for the noise pollution to a great extent.

Mining operations

Here in this case heavy machinery is also used for drilling the mines for extraction of various minerals while performing this activity a considerable amount of noise is generated.

Public announcements

Use of loud speakers to address the public on various occasions for different purposes contribute to noise pollution. These include political rallies, street hawkers.

Agricultural machinery

In this modern era the use of use of heavy machinery dominated the agricultural activities these include tractors, water pumps, generators etc. they produce a lot of noise and pollute the environment.

Military equipment

Military use a number of artillery equipment such as bullets, grenades, mortar shells, rickets missiles jets etc. on explosion these contribute to noise pollution.

Thundering

This is a natural phenomenon it produces a loud sound which become noise.

Fire crackers

The use of fire crackers especially by children on various religious occasions add an enormous sound in the environment.

Internal Sources

Include noise from household and office activities.

Household activities

A number of activities carried out in houses add noise in the environment these activities include loud conversation, high volume of audio video gadgets, door bells alarm clocks pressure cookers construction, electrical appliances such as refrigerators, coolers, fans washing machines, grinders etc. contribute to household noise.


Office activities

A large number of mechanical setup in the offices become source of noise pollution. The office equipment includes printers, typewriters, door bells, loud conversation ventilation system and many more.

 Effects of Noise Pollution:

According to USEPA there are direct links between noise and health, also noise pollution adversely affect the lives of millions of people.

Effect depend on exposure to noise and level of noise produced. sudden noise generation is more fetal as it may lead to heart or brain stroke.

Effects on human health  

Noise pollution effect the health of humans to a great extent these include

Hearing impairment

Continuous exposure to noise leads to hearing impairments such as permanent or temporary deafness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) etc. these ailments usually occurs in those who works in industries and other construction activities where exposure to noise is quite long. According to WHO 10% of the global population is currently exposed to noise level that could lead to hearing impairments.

Sleep disturbance

Noise is quite common factor for sleep disturbance in this case the peace of mind is distracted. According to Hobson (1989) sleep disturbance effects include difficulty in falling asleep, awakening, alteration of sleep stages or depth and reduction in rapid eye movement REM. Berglund and Lindvall add more effects as increased blood pressure and increased heart rate. For a good sleep it is believed that indoor sound pressure levels should not exceed approximately 45 Db LA max more than 10-15 times per night (Vallet and Vernet 1991).

Cardiovascular and physiological effects

Noise pollution may lead to cardiovascular effects due to release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol if the exposure continues to LAeq,24h values in the range of 65-70 dB or more it will lead to high blood pressure, heart diseases and strokes.

Mental health effects

Noise pollution effect the mental health of humans to a great extent the various symptoms during this complication include anxiety, emotional stress, nervous complaints, headache, nausea, sexual impotency, change in mood, social conflicts neurosis and psychosis. According to Stansfeld (1992) exposure to high levels of occupational noise has been associated with the development of neurosis and irritability and exposure to high level environmental noise deteriorate mental health.

Effect on performance

Exposure to noise effect the performance of all age group especially children learning and cognitive development is hampered to a great extent.

Emotion and behavioral changes

Prolonged exposure to noise may lead to annoyance and anger.

Birth Effects

Ephraime (2002) believe that that noise pollution in cities poses greatest threat to unborn babies and children.

Interference with Immune System

WHO says that prolonged exposure to sound above 80 dB can interfere with immune system.

Effect on Wild and Marine Animals

Reduction in feeding pattern of birds and animal’s

Under noisy environment birds and animals feeding pattern is effected because the feel unsecure, which result in change in foraging, vocal communication and flushing responses.

Many marine animals especially whales and dolphins find it difficult to locate their food and fail to communicate and defend themselves in noisy environment created by submarines because whales and dolphins locate their food, communicate and defend with the help of their sense of hearing in this way they swim towards the shore during this they got injuries or die.

Unnecessary migration

Continuous noise in certain habitats due to various activities such as construction of roads, mining operations etc. force local avian and faunal species to migrate to quitter habitats where they fail to cope up and finally die off.

 

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  1. Best and Comprehensive study material for EVS students as well as Teachers.

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