Conserve Energy Future

What is Noise Pollution?

Noise pollution is defined as unwanted sounds that disrupt normal sound
in the environment. Noise pollution often emanates from railroads, road
traffic, aircraft, loud music, construction sites, and industrial activities.
Nevertheless, the definition of noise is subjective as it varies from one
individual to another. In the majority of cases, individual response to noise
is influenced by loudness, time pattern, and frequency.

Other factors include the nature of the activity that produces the noise
and the level of background sound before the introduction of another
louder sound frequency. Noise is the only form of pollution that is ever-
present but rarely noticed despite its adverse effects. It can lead to loss of
memory, deafness or in some cases psychiatric disorders. Sensitivity to
different sound frequencies is measured using the A-weighted decibel
scale (dBA).
The acceptable amount of sound level is about 60 to 65 dBs, which equals
to that of a normal conversation. Sound levels higher than 85 dBs are
harmful depending on the duration of exposure and if one has hearing
protection or not. Noise above 140 dBA can cause permanent hearing
loss. Here are the various sources of noise pollution and tips for
prevention.

Sources of Noise Pollution

The sources of noise pollution are classified into two broad categories:
Internal and external sources of noise pollution.

1. External sources of pollution

These are the major sources of noise pollution in the environment. They
are sources that are extremely difficult to control. They include.
 Industrial sources. The industrialization has resulted in the rise of
noise pollution. The industries include textile mills, engineering
plants, printing presses, and metal industries. Most industries use
heavy machines capable of producing very high levels of noise. They
have equipment such as compressors, exhaust fans, grinding mills,
and generators which increase the overall noise levels in the
environment. Workers in these environments are in great
health risks in case they do not take proper measures like wearing
earplugs to minimize the effect of the noise.

 Vehicles for transportation. Automobile revolution has turned out

to be a big source of environmental noise in urban regions. In the
modern age, there is an increase in traffic due to the growth in the
number of vehicles such as buses, trains, and trucks. People caught
in traffic jams are also often impatient and will continuously hoot
their horns in an attempt to alert the driver in front of them to move.
These acts produce unbearable noise to the people living in the
neighboring areas, the commuters or passersby, and the
environment as a whole. Airplanes also increase the problem of
noise in major urban cities. Most airports are located near
residential areas and for this reason, the jet-planes taking off and
landing in such areas normally produce high sound levels.

 Poor urban planning. Developing nations habitually lack

proper urban planning that leads to congested housing, small
spaces, small industry proliferation, and lack of enough parking
areas. Poor urban planning thus contributes to environmental noise
through fights or social and basic amenities, noise from small
manufacturing industries, wrangles over parking space, family
quarrels from the neighboring houses, and noise from playing
children.

 Public address systems. Public functions such as rallies, strikes,

elections, religious and secular events use addressing systems that
are very loud. The organizers of such events normally flout the rules
set against public noise pollution by the state. Loud noise from
 public address systems and music systems during social events such
as parties and religious crusades are another source of noise
pollution. Open markets also often produce high levels of noise
pollution due to the activities of buying and selling, and the use of
loudspeakers and megaphones in advertising merchandise or
services.

 Agriculture machines. Noise level of as high as 90 dB to 98 dB has

been recorded in some farms using heavy types of machinery and
equipment. These equipment include thrashers, tube wells, tractors,
drillers, powered tillers, and harvesters.

 Military equipment. Artillery tanks, rocket launching, military

airplanes drills, explosions, and shooting practice are serious noise
polluters. Deafening impacts are produced by the sounds of jet
engines and in extreme cases, they cause the shattering of window
panes and cracking of old dilapidates buildings located near their
take-off and landing areas or when they fly past such structures.

2. Indoor sources of noise

They are noises associated with human activities within a household or
building. They also occur due to operations of building services and office
services.

 Inside building services. Construction works, workshops and

automobile repairs cause noise pollution. The equipment used in
such jobs produces a lot of noise that causes nuisance and may
hamper hearing ability.

 Household activities. These are activities such as the loud banging

of doors, noises from playing children, furniture movement, crying
infants, loud arguments. Many households also own entertainment
equipment such as Hi-Fi Systems, Television sets, and loudspeakers
that may further contribute to the overall noise emanating from
indoor household activities. Household equipment like pressure
 cookers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, sewing machines, mix-
grinders, desert coolers, exhaust fans, and air-conditioners equally
produce a lot of noise.

 Office equipment. In offices, there are printers, photocopiers, and

typewriters among other equipment that contribute to noise
pollution in the working places and its environs.

Tips for Prevention of Noise Pollution

1. Standard laws by different organizations
Transport sector noise control, proper urban planning and use of zoning
codes, roadway noise control, noise-reducing architecture designs, and
aircraft noise reduction are some of the noise mitigation measures that
can be employed to curb noise pollution. To implement them, there are
various guidelines or rather standard recommendations of allowed noise
levels including:

 Occupational Safety and Health policies. These policies impose

administrative and engineering controls in the workplace in cases
where the workers are exposed to levels of noise which are above
90-dBA for a period of eight-hour time-weighted averages (TWA). It
also recommends that Impulse and impact noise control measures
to be put in place where the noise is past 140 dB. It has been applied
in various sectors around the world including manufacturing
industries, office spaces, construction sites, railroads, and airports.
The measures include controlling impact and impulse of noise.

 Other organizations. They include Mine, Safety, and Health

Organizations. Different countries have their own policies and
regulations on noise pollution that are in line with international
noise pollution policies in the mining, processing, and power
production plants.
2. Tips to control noise pollution
Some of the tips that can assist in controlling noise pollution include

 Use of earplugs. One of the cost-effective tips for reducing noise

pollution is wearing earplugs. They can be worn in working places
and while sleeping to reduce the amount of noise from the
surrounding environment. They have health benefits such as healthy
sleeping habits and prevent damage to the eardrum.

 Soundproofing. Industrial plants that produce a lot of noise from

their machinery can use soundproof materials to reduce high sound
frequencies. At home, one can install soundproofing materials which
block the noise and associated vibrations. Double-pane windows, for
example, can be an impressive method for preventing noise
pollution.

 Closing the windows. To prevent unwanted noise from entering

into the house and buildings, one can simply close the windows and
open them when it is quite.

 Jarring horns. To reduce the noise that is associated with

continuous hoots in traffic, vehicles can install horns that have
jarring sounds. In cases where the exhaust pipes are damaged, they
should be repaired and noisy trucks banned.

 Law enforcement. The state and local government should have

proper laws that prevent noise pollution near residential areas. They
can give authority to community law enforcers who will have the
mandate of checking noise polluters. An example is whereby laws
are enforced such that industries or noise-producing businesses are
set up and operated away from schools, colleges, hospitals, and
residential areas.

 Noise-canceling headphones. They can be used by workers to

reduce noise pollution in industrial and construction workers. They
filter any unwanted noise and prevent it from reaching the ears.
 Use of barriers or go green by planting trees. A simple way of
reducing the vibrations and strong sound waves is through the use
of barriers such as fences and planting trees around the house.
These barriers would absorb the waves and reduce environmental
noise significantly.

 Lubrication and better maintenance of machines. When the

moving parts of machines and engines are well maintained and
lubricated, it not only improves efficiency but also aids in reducing
noise. The reason is that lubrication and proper maintenance
reduces friction between moving parts.

 The use of creativity in house and office layout. Being innovative

in the placement of equipment can significantly help in reducing
noise pollution. Noisy house appliances and office equipment can be
placed at the far ends of the house or office, therefore, reducing the
levels of noise that reaches resting or working areas.