Noise pollution: A growing concern [Archives:2006/945/Education]

Sanjita Jaisingh
Taiz
[email protected]
The disturbance produced in our environment by the undesirable loud sounds of various kinds is called noise pollution. Noise is among the most pervasive pollutants today. Like other pollutants noise is a product of industrialization and modern civilization. It is an inescapable part of everyday life. It has become a growing concern throughout the world as it affects not only daily activities of people but also their productivity, health and emotion. Noise pollution is one of the biggest problems in developing countries like India and Yemen who try to catch the modernity on the wrong side as they do not adopt the right technology and legal measures to control it.

Sound and Noise

Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It is the harsh and loud sound which is annoying, and uncomfortable. It interferes with speech, damages the hearing capacity and reduces concentration and work efficiency. Noise is different from sound. Sound is considered to be useful and a welcoming element for our survival like water and air as it is an integral part of our speech system. A particular sound is not perceived in the same manner by all people. Many of the sounds we come across everyday are taken for granted. However, on different occasions and varying situations, attitudes and moods the common everyday sound can interfere with our routine task. When this happens, sound becomes noise.

Science of Sound

A sound which is pleasant for one person may be a disturbing noise for someone else. For example, the pop music which is relished by the youngsters may not be appreciated by the people of older generation. The patterns created by human voice have both regular and irregular sound pulses. Sounds that are considered to be pleasant have variations in pressure with regular pattern of vibration. On the other hand, the sounds which are termed as noise consist of irregular patterns of vibration. The frequency and intensity of sound are measured in hertz (Hz) which is calculated on the basis of cycles per second (cps). The most significant characteristics of noise are its “loudness” and “duration”. In fact, loudness and duration are linked with the quality of noise. They are used as the criteria to determine the level of noise. Frequencies between 2000 Hz and 8000Hz are considered to be most annoying. It is not the pitch or loudness of a sound that make it unbearable and unpleasant but it is its repetitive nature which causes distraction. A voice in normal conversation is normally around 60dB (decibel). Usually, traffic noise in a town is around 70dB.

Sources of noise

Noise is created by both people and the machines they use for their comfort. The use of various types of gadgets at home, machines in factories, construction equipment, manufacturing processes, lawn mowers, loud speakers in social functions, road traffic, jet planes and garbage trucks are some of the sources of noise.

Effects of noise

Mild noise can be annoying but excessive noise can destroy a person's hearing capacity. People take time to get used to noise. The slightest unwanted sound can become very annoying if it continues for a longer time. The ill effects of noise on human beings are many. It may affect physiology as well as psychology of the people. It may lead to hearing impairment, cardio-vascular problems, chronic high blood pressure, gastro-intestinal problems, constriction of blood vessels, decrease in alertness and ability to memorize, nervousness, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, annoyance, irritability and extreme emotional behaviour. It is observed that people who are continuously exposed to loud noise, no louder than people shouting, for eight hours per day and five days per week over a period of years may suffer from permanent hearing loss. The voice communication and thought process are normally affected if the noise level in a work place is above 58 dB. Employees who are exposed to a noise level above 85 dB for eight hours a day may suffer from hearing impairment and psychological disorder. Introverted people are affected much by noise than extroverted people. Individuals undergoing depression and anxiety out of unemployment and divorce are more sensitive to sound and consider it as noise.

Noise as an issue

Noise pollution is an increasing problem throughout the world. Traffic noise is considered as one of the major contributors to noise pollution. Particularly, road traffic noise is considered to be one of the most widespread and growing environmental problem in urban areas. The report of a study conducted by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in 1991 states that people consider noise to be the main local environmental problem, sometimes even more than air pollution or quality of drinking water.

Due to the increase in trade and mobility of people there is a pressure on the use of transportation. The public transports such as buses, trains and trams have been over crowded and irregular and fail to cope with the overgrowing population. So the individuals are compelled to have their private mode of transport which they believe give them reliability and liberty to travel. Eventually, that has led to the overcrowded traffic on urban roads and increased noise pollution. Now it is seen that a family of four members possesses five vehicles, while each member of the family possesses his own two-wheeler or car besides a family vehicle. Imagine the four members of a family start together from home at the same time and all the two wheelers without silencers gets on to the road!

Control Measures

In this age of technological advancement, it is difficult to control noise pollution completely. In order to control noise pollution completely, we will have to reduce or forgo using many modern gadgets and machines which make our life easy and comfortable. It is not possible to eliminate noise pollution totally. However, we can reduce the intensity of noise to minimize its harmful effects. Instead of forgoing the use of gadgets and machines we can reduce noise level by adopting various noise control measures. When complaints are made about noise, we should identify the offensive characteristics of the noise, so that we can find measures to control it. Let us find out if the noise is too loud, too unpredictable, and too high pitched. Once we know the characteristics of the noise we can adopt various types control measures. For example, equipment can be serviced and lubricated regularly, or a noisy machine can be enclosed in a separate room. Both technical as well as legal measures should be taken to reduce noises created by home gadgets and public address systems. New technology and designs should be developed for such kind of systems which can reduce noise. We should restrict the use of loud speakers and amplifiers in public places. Industries should be set up far away from crowded localities. City roads should be designed to reduce noise too. For example, plantation of trees along roadside may help in absorbing sound. Use of silencers in motor vehicles should be mandatory to further reduce the noise on roads. Noise level can also be reduced at home and town by designing new building techniques. The harmful effects of noise on ears can be reduced by covering them with hands or using hearing protectors such as cotton plug. A country should have some regulations and acts of its own to maintain the standard and level of noise for machineries, gadgets, vehicles etc. Above all, this kind of hazard can be combated by public education and awareness of the problem and collective effort of both people and government.
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