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The word noise is derived from a Latin word ‘nausea’ which means unwanted or unpleasant sound that causes discomfort. Noise can be defined as “wrong sound, in the wrong place at the wrong time.” When the sound becomes noise it adversely affects the auditory system of human beings, animals and birds. All over the world, in urban localities, noise pollution has been recognized as a major factor affecting public health and well-being. Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Sound beyond 80dB becomes noise, as it harms auditory system. The World Health Organization (WHO) has fixed a limit of 45 dB as the safe noise level for a city. According to international standards a noise level up to 65 dB is considered tolerable.
Noise standards
According to the living style and standards, the different countries of the world have their own noise pollution standards.
In India, the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) has recommended noise level between 45 and 60 dB in an industrial area. The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) which is accepted everywhere under the occupational safety and health act is 90 dB for 9 hours, 95 dB for 4 hours, 100 dB for 2 hours and 115 dB for 15 minutes per day.
Causes of noise pollution
- The ambient noise level in urban area is increasing mainly by man-made sources.
- The major disadvantage of technological development is noise pollution.
- The intensity of noise is high in densely populated area viz. metropolitan cities, industrial area, airports, railway stations and bus stations.
- House hold gadgets like television, radio, kitchen appliances, washing machine, mixer, grinders and fire crackers etc. are also responsible for noise pollution.
- In industrial areas, gigantic machinery running at high speed produces sounds of different intensities. These sounds add to noise pollution.
- Machinery used at construction sites, automobiles, blowing horns of vehicles are also responsible for noise pollution.
Effects of noise pollution:
The disastrous effect of noise pollution on the health of
- people and animals is well reported. Constant noise affects a man physically and mentally.
- A child’s physical and psychological health is hampered by noise. Noise pollution affects elderly persons by increase in blood pressure.
- Other physiological effects seen in humans due to noise pollution are loss of hearing, hypertension, stress diseases etc.
- Noise pollution is also responsible for pain, nausea, vomiting. Many behavioral changes are noticed in people working in factories that produces a huge noise are nervousness, irritation, headache, giddiness etc.
- Significant adverse effects of noise pollution also reported in animals.
- High intensity sound by industries, supersonic aircraft’s when continued for a long period of time can permanently damage hearing.
Control measures of noise pollution:
The noise pollution should be checked at the source only.
- Replacement of noisy devices / parts, effective cushioning to minimize vibrations, proper greasing and oiling to avoid frictions and using of proper silencers are effective ways to minimize noise pollution at source level.
- The noise of factories can be minimized by construction of proper sound-proof walls, doors, ceilings etc.
- The factory workers should be provided with proper ear plugs.
- Construction of residential complexes near railway station, bus station, airports and busy industrial areas should be avoided.
- Loud speakers should be regulated in public places. Periodic servicing and pollution tests of buses, trucks and cars should be mandatory to minimize noise from the engine.
- Stringent action should be taken against people who are violating rules of Environmental Protection Act.
- Proper development of green belts, plantation of specific species of trees helps to absorb excessive noise from industrial and other noisy areas.
The Noise Pollution Control Rules of 2017
Read More About These Rules Here
These rules have established the parameters for maximum sound limits in various zones defined by the government. Under the amended rules, now the State Governments can notify the 100 meters’ area around hospitals, educational institutions and courts as a silent zone. These rules are framed under the Air Act and noise pollution is considered as a type of air pollution. Violation of these rules attracts punishments under the Air Act. The nodal agency to monitor noise pollution is respective police station.
