CAUSES, IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS OF

SOUND POLLUTION
AADARSHA BIKRAM BARTAULA – 077BCH001
CAUSES, IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS OF AAYUSH PANTHI – 077BCH003
SOUND POLLUTION AADARSHA ALINA
BIKRAM LAMICHHANE
BARTAULA – – 077BCH004
077BCH001
AAYUSHALISHA BUDHA– 077BCH003
PANTHI - 077BCH005
ALINA LAMICHHANE – 077BCH004
ALISHA BUDHA - 077BCH005
 2. STATUS OF NOISE 3. STATUS OF NOISE
1. BASIC INTRODUCTION POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS IN POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS
CONTENTS NEPAL ABROAD

4. STATUS OF NOISE 5. IMPACTS OF NOISE 6. SOLUTIONS OF NOISE

POLLUTION IN HOSPITALS IN POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS AND POLLUTION IN ACADEMIC
NEPAL HOSPITALS INSTITUTIONS AND HOSPITALS

7. REFERENCES
Any undesired or irritating sound that has an impact on the health and well-being of
people and other living things is referred to as noise pollution.
Noise pollution is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as noise that is louder
than 65 decibels (dB). More specifically, noise becomes unpleasant over 120 decibels (dB)
and hazardous above 75 decibel.
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the propagation of sound with ranging impacts on
the activity of human or animal life, most of which are harmful to a degree.

A BASIC INTRODUCTION
TO NOISE POLLUTION
STATUS OF NOISE POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS IN NEPAL
Noise pollution in academic institutes of Nepal is a significant issue that affects the health and well -being of students, faculty, and staff.
On the research done on educational institutions, located at high traffic (HT), low traffic (LT), commercial (C) and residentia l (R) areas of Kathmandu valley,
shows that more than 90% of the studied educational institutions in Kathmandu Valley have noise pollution problem, exceeding the national noise standards
and WHO standard. Institutions located at high traffic areas have the highest exposure level. The six -hour average noise level for educational institutions
located at different zones follows the order as HT (70.1 dBA) > C (66.2 dBA) > LT (65.7 dBA) > R (56.3 dBA)
Some of the sources of noise pollution in academic institutes of Nepal include:
• Traffic noise: Academic institutes located near busy roads and highways are often exposed to high levels of traffic noise, which can be a significant source of
disturbance.
• Construction noise: Construction activities in and around academic institutes can generate high levels of noise, which can be disruptive to teaching, learning, and
research activities.
• Loudspeakers and PA systems: Many academic institutes in Nepal use loudspeakers and public address (PA) systems to make announcements and broadcast
information. However, if these systems are used at high volumes, they can cause noise pollution.
• Classroom noise: Classrooms can be noisy places, particularly in larger lecture halls and classrooms with poor acoustics. Students talking, shuffling papers, and
moving chairs can all contribute to noise levels that can be distracting and disruptive.
Figure: Graphical representation of Noise Pollution in different institutes
 Some countries have implemented strict regulations and taken measures to reduce noise pollution, while others continue to
struggle with high levels of noise pollution.

In countries such as Germany, Japan, and Switzerland, noise pollution is taken very seriously, and there are stringent regulations
in place to limit noise levels in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. For example, in Germany, there are specific noise
protection laws that limit noise levels at different times of the day and in different areas. In Japan, noise reduction measures are
STATUS OF NOISE incorporated into building design, and there are noise barriers and soundproofing measures in public spaces.

POLLUTION ABROAD In contrast, some countries such as India and China struggle with high levels of noise pollution due to rapid industrialization and
urbanization. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified noise pollution as a significant environmental health hazard in
these countries. In India, traffic noise and construction activities are the major sources of noise pollution, while in China,
industrial activities and transportation are the main culprits.

In the United States, noise pollution is a growing concern, particularly in urban areas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has established noise pollution regulations and guidelines, but there is still significant variation in noise levels across the country.
Noise pollution is a particular issue around airports and major transportation hubs, as well as in residential areas near hig hways
and busy roads.
 CASE STUDY OF NOISE POLLUTION AT DIFFERENT
INSTITUTES IN ASSAM
Almost all the educational institutes are located near
the busy places such as bus-stand, market area, busy
roads etc. which has a high rate of noise pollution.
COMPARISON OF NOISE POLLUTION
IN SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS OF
CALCUTTA , INDIA
STATUS OF NOISE POLLUTION IN HOSPITALS IN NEPAL
A study of noise pollution in two hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley throughout the weekdays and
weekends (Saturday) evaluates the following points :
• The highest equivalent noise level (Leq) measured on Saturday between 4:00 and 5:00 pm in Bir
hospital was 62.1 dBA. The lowest LEQ, or 46.9 dBA, was recorded in Bir Hospital on a business day
(Friday) between 4:00 and 5:00 PM.
• The Kirtipur Hospital was determined to have a lower noise level than the Bir Hospital. The Lmax
peaked on the weekend (Saturday) at 42.8 dBA.
• The WHO recommended range for daytime patient ward noise levels is 30 dBA. But still , The noise
levels in both hospitals were not determined to be within this range. The noise level in Bir Hospital
was also not within the range of Nepal’s guideline on noise quality except at the time of 4.00 pm to
5.00 pm on a working day. The hospital should take appropriate measures for the reduction of the
noise level.
CAUSES OF NOISE POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS
• They include noise produced by lab apparatus, as well as other loud activities such as musical instruments or gym courses, poor
building acoustics caused by air conditioners, or a lack of sound-absorbing materials.
• Vehicle and lawnmower noises coming from outside the building.
• Students speaking in the hallway are just one example of sounds coming from inside the building. sounds coming from within the
classroom .
▪ Noise sources, such as staff talking and telephone noise, arouse the patients most frequently .
▪ Sound alarm
▪ Moving equipment and furniture
▪ Opening / Closing Doors
▪ Babies Crying
▪ Fall of objects
▪ Use of cell phone or radio
 1.Deteriorates the immunity in students (especially children), increases the risk of severe recurrent headache (migraines)
in students (children) which directly declines their educational abilities, growth and hurts them intellectually.

2. It causes a 20% waste of working days to both teachers and students.

IMPACTS OF NOISE
POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS 3. Students found it too problematic to hear teachers’ explanation and classroom discussions .

4.Masking of the speech and reduction in perception capability .

5. Loss of psychological and physical attention .

 1. Numerous articles show negative relationships between hospital noise and sleep disturbance of patients .

2.Cardiovascular response is also related to the acousti-cal environment . Some of the earliest stud-ies revealed
that heart rate, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular measures can be affected by noise .

IMPACTS OF NOISE
POLLUTION IN 3.Occurrences of vasoconstriction and increases in heart rate and blood pressure due to the presence of acoustical
stimuli .
HOSPITALS
4. Anxiety and arrhythmia episodes are more frequent in noisy scenarios.

5. The presence of noise may increase the need for pain medication .
SOLUTIONS OF NOISE POLLUTION IN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
1. A rigorous rule governing noise pollution in educational facilities needs to be created and put into effect. Horn use in sensitive sites like schools, hospitals, etc.
should be prohibited. Traffic Rules must be stern . Anyone who breaks the rules should face harsh penalties.
2. To ensure effective compliance, the ministries of the environment, land, and education should update the rules governing the location and upkeep of schools.

3. Planting the suggested plant species to reduce noise in the designated areas .

4. Technical noise level control methods should be put into place.

5. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), parent-teacher associations (PTAs) from various schools, school officials such as headteachers and principals, and
teachers themselves should work to foster a positive and supportive learning environment.
6. Sound Proof Buildings can be used if socio-economic factors facilitate that .
SOLUTIONS OF NOISE POLLUTION IN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
1. A rigorous rule governing noise pollution in educational facilities needs to be created and put into effect. Horn use in sensitive sites like schools, hospitals, etc.
should be prohibited. Traffic Rules must be stern . Anyone who breaks the rules should face harsh penalties.
2. To ensure effective compliance, the ministries of the environment, land, and education should update the rules governing the location and upkeep of schools.

3. Planting the suggested plant species to reduce noise in the designated areas .

4. Technical noise level control methods should be put into place.

5. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), parent-teacher associations (PTAs) from various schools, school officials such as headteachers and principals, and
teachers themselves should work to foster a positive and supportive learning environment.
6. Sound Proof Buildings can be used if socio-economic factors facilitate that .
SOLUTIONS OF NOISE POLLUTION at HOSPITALS
Increasing Increasing the distance between Patient and Noise source .

Decreasing Decreasing the number of medical alarms and their intensity.

Adding Adding equipment that produces ambient white noise.

Making Making use of carpets and ceiling tiles that are soundproof.

Dimming Dimming the lights at night.

Setting Setting aside time for sleep during which vital signs are not frequently checked unless absolutely required.
 REFERENCES
• Retrieved from https://neptjournal.com/upload-images/NL-57-49-(47)D-476.pdf
• Shristi, S.(2016,Aug 7) Research on Noise levels in hospitals of Nepal . Research
Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343917500_Noise_Assessment_in_Hospital_Environment
• Noise pollution: Causes, effects and control measures ( 2016 ). Retrieved from
https://gcwgandhinagar.com/econtent/document/15876178200EVSAECC01_Noise%20pollution.
• Causes of Noise Pollution - Effects and Prevent ( 2019 ). Retrieved from https://naturalenergyhub.com/pollution/noise-pollution-causes-effects-solution/
• Noise pollution in hospitals a growing problem (2018 ) . Retrieved from https://healthmanagement.org/c/icu/news/noise-pollution-in-hospitals-a-
growing-problem
• Xyrichis A, Wynne J, Mckrill J, Rafferty AM, Carlyle A (2018) Noise pollution in hospitals .Retrieved from https://healthmanagement.org/c/icu/news/noise-
pollution-in-hospitals-a-growing-problem
• Status of noise pollution in educational institutions of kathmandu valley, nepal ( 2022 ). Retrieved from https://www.recentscientific.com/status-noise-
pollution-educational-institutions-kathmandu-valley-nepal