LEARNING UNIT 4:

NOISE POLLUTION

4.1. Introduction
Noise pollution is a type of energy pollution in which distracting, irritating, or damaging
sounds are clearly audible. As with other forms of energy pollution (such as heat and
light pollution), noise pollution contaminants are not physical particles, but rather
waves that interfere with naturally-occurring waves of a similar type in the same
environment.

In the narrowest sense, sounds are considered noise pollution if they adversely affect
wildlife or human activity, or are capable of damaging physical structures on a regular,
repeating basis. In the broadest sense of the term, a sound may be considered noise
pollution if it disturbs any natural process or causes human harm, even if the sound does
not occur on a regular basis.

4.2. Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
• Define noise pollution
• Identify local sources of noise pollution
• Evaluate the effect of noise pollution on the environment
• Discuss the impact of different types and classifications of noise pollution in
order to accurately reflect an understanding of its impact on wellbeing in a
variety of contexts.

4.3. Definition of noise

Noise is defined as "unwanted sound", and is an audible acoustic energy that adversely
affects the physiological and/or psychological of our well-being. Sound becomes
unwanted when it:
• Hinders speech communication.
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 • Impedes the thinking process.
• Interferes with concentration.
• Obstructs activities (work or leisure).
• Presents a health risk due to hearing damage.

Sound and Noise

The terms sound and noise are different depending upon the listener and circumstances.
Table 4.1 below illustrates the difference between disturbing noise and noise nuisance.

Disturbing Noise Noise Nuisance

A noise level that exceeds the ambient
sound level measured continuously at the
same measuring point by 7 dBA or
more.
Ambient sound level is the reading on an
integrating impulse sound level meter
taken in the absence of any alleged
disturbing noise….
Noise level is the reading… taken at a
measuring point in the presence of any
alleged disturbing noise at the end of a
total period of at least ten minutes after
such meter was put into operation, and, if
the alleged disturbing noise has a
discernible pitch, for example, a whistle,
buzz, drone or music, then
5 dBA is added to the reading.
Any sound, that disturbs or impairs or
may disturb or impair the
convenience or peace of any person.
(SANS 10103) Ambient noise: - The
totally encompassing sound at a given
time, usually composed of sound
from many sources, both near
and far.
(SANS 10103) Residual noise: - The
ambient noise that remains at a given
position in a given situation when
one or more specific noises are
suppressed. Specific noise:- a
component of the ambient noise
which can be specifically identified
by acoustical means and which may
be associated with a specific source.

Table 4.1: Definitions of disturbing noise and a noise nuisance

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Learning Activity 4.1:
• Discuss the similarities and differences between noise and sound pollution.
Use the space provided below.
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4.4. Types of Noise (ISO 12001)
The effects of noise are mainly by the duration and level of the noise. Long-lasting,
high-level sounds are the most disturbing and damaging to hearing and generally the
most annoying. Duration of sounds is also important, in that intermittent sounds appear
to be less damaging to hearing than continuous sounds because of the ear's ability to
regenerate during the quiet periods. However, intermittent and impulsive sounds tend
to be more annoying because of their unpredictability
• Continuous sounds are that have little or no variation over a period of time.
• Varying sounds are that have differing maximum levels over a period of
time.
• Intermittent sounds are that are interspersed with quiet periods.
• Impulsive sounds are that are characterised by relatively high sound levels
over a very short duration of time.

Noise may be classified as steady, non-steady or impulsive, depending upon the

temporal variations in sound pressure level.

Steady noise is a noise with negligibly small fluctuations of sound pressure level within
the period of observation. If a slightly more precise single-number description is
needed, assessment by NR (Noise Rating) curves may be used.

A noise is called non-steady when its sound pressure levels shift significantly during
the period of observation. This type of noise can be divided into intermittent noise and
fluctuating noise.

Fluctuating noise is a noise for which the level changes continuously and to a great
extent during the period of observation.
Tonal noise may be either continuous or fluctuating and is characterised by one or two
single frequencies. This type of noise is much more annoying than broadband noise
characterised by energy at many different frequencies and of the same sound pressure
level as the tonal noise.

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4.5. Sources of noise pollution: environmental and industrial noise
Noise pollution like other pollutants is also a by-product of industrialization,
urbanization and modern civilization. Broadly speaking, the noise pollution has two
sources, i.e. industrial and non-industrial. The industrial source includes the noise from
various industries and big machines working at a very high speed and high noise
intensity. Non-industrial source of noise includes the noise created by
transport/vehicular traffic and the neighbourhood noise generated by various noise
pollution can also be divided into the categories, namely, natural and manmade.

Most leading noise sources will fall into the following categories:
• road traffic,
• aircraft,
• railroads,
• construction,
• industry,
• noise in buildings, and
• consumer products.

(a) Road traffic noise

Noise from the motors and exhaust systems of large trucks provides the major portion
of highway noise impact and provides a potential noise hazard to the driver as well. In
addition, noise from the interaction of tyres with the roadway is generated by trucks,
buses, and private autos. In the city, the main sources of traffic noise are::
• motor and exhaust systems of autos,
• smaller trucks,
• buses, and
• motorcycles.

This type of noise can be augmented by narrow streets and tall buildings, which produce
a "canyon" in which traffic noise reverberates.

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(b) Aircraft noise
Nowadays, the problem of low-flying military aircraft has added a new dimension to
community annoyance, as the nation seeks to improve its "nap-of-the-earth" warfare
capabilities. In addition, the issue of aircraft operations over national parks, wilderness
areas, and other areas previously unaffected by aircraft noise has claimed national
attention over recent years.

(c) Noise from railroads

The noise from locomotive engines, horns and whistles, and switching and shunting
operations in rail yards can impact neighbouring communities and railroad workers. For
example, railcar retarders can produce a high-frequency, high-level screech that can
reach peak levels of 120 dB at a distance of 100 feet which translates to levels as high
as 138 or 140 dB at the railroad worker's ear.

(d) Construction noise

The noise from construction of highways, city streets, and buildings is a major
contributor to the urban scene. Construction noise sources include::
• pneumatic hammers,
• air compressors,
• bulldozers, loaders,
• dump trucks (and their back-up signals), and
• pavement breakers.

(e) Noise in industry

Although industrial noise is one of the less prevalent community noise problems,
neighbours of noisy manufacturing plants can be disturbed by sources such as fans,
motors, and compressors mounted on the outside of buildings. Interior noise can also
be transmitted to the community through open windows and doors, and even through
building walls. These interior noise sources have significant impacts on industrial
workers, among whom noise induced hearing loss is unfortunately common.

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(f) Noise in buildings
Apartment dwellers are often annoyed by noise in their homes, especially when the
building is not well designed and constructed. In this case, internal building noise
emanating from the following can be audible and annoying
• : plumbing,
• boilers,
• generators,
• air conditioners, and
• fans,.

Improperly insulated walls and ceilings can reveal the sound of:
• amplified music,
• voices,
• footfalls, and
• noisy activities from neighbouring units.

External noise from:

• emergency vehicles,
• traffic,
• refuse collection, and
• other city noises

All of the above can be a problem for urban residents, especially when windows are
open or insufficiently glazed.

(g) Noise from consumer products

Certain household equipment, such as vacuum cleaners and some kitchen appliances
have been and continue to be noisemakers, although their contribution to the daily noise
dose is usually not very large.

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Figure 4.1 below illustrates the various sources of noise pollution such as headache,
sleeping problems, hearing problems, tension, pain, etc. For instance, a bicycle can
cause tension and hearing problems. Automobiles can cause sleeping problems, with
intensity of sound up to 90 dB (Decibles). The highest sound intensity is caused by
aeroplanes (150 dB).

Figure 4.1: Various sources of noise pollution

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Learning Activity 4.2:
• Discuss the most common types of noise you encounter in South Africa.
Explain the problem caused by the noise pollution in the community.
Use the space provided below.
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4.6. Effects of noise pollution
Noise is more than just a nuisance. It constitutes a real and present danger to people's
health. Day and night, at home, at work, and at play, noise can produce serious physical
and psychological stress. No one is immune to this stress. Though we seem to adjust to
noise by ignoring it, the ear, in fact, never closes and the body still responds-sometimes
with extreme tension, as to a strange sound in the night. Noise is a type of atmospheric
pollution. It is a shadowy public enemy whose growing menace has increased in the
modern age of industrialization and technological advancement. Although a soft
rhythmic sound in the form of music and dance stimulates brain activities, removes
boredom and fatigue, but its excessiveness may prove detrimental to living things.
Researches have proved that a loud noise during peak marketing hours creates tiredness,
irritation and impairs brain activities so as to reduce thinking and working abilities.
Noise pollution was previously confined to a few special areas like factory or mill, but
today it engulfs every nook and corner of the globe, reaching its peak in urban areas.

The main ear contaminators of the city area and its market place are:
• Industries,
• automobiles,
• rail engines,
• aeroplanes,
• radios,
• loudspeakers,
• tape recorders,
• lottery ticket sellers,
• hawkers,
• pop singers, etc

The regular rattling of engines and intermittent blowing of horns emanating from the
caravan of automobiles do not allow us to have any respite from irritant noise even in
suburban zones.

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In the modern days noise has become one of the major pollutants and it has serious
effects on human health. Effects of noise depend upon sound's pitch, its frequency and
time pattern and length of exposure. Noise has both auditory and non-auditory effects
depending upon the intensity and the duration of the noise level. It affects sleep,
hearing, communication, mental and physical health. It may even lead to the madness
of people. However, noises, which are melodious, whether natural or man-made, cannot
always be considered as factors leading to pollution. Noise can disturb us in terms of:
• work,
• rest,
• sleep, and
• communication.

It can damage our hearing and evoke other psychological, and possibly pathological
reactions. However, because of complexity, variability and the interaction of noise with
other environmental factors, the adverse health effects of noise do not lend themselves
to a straightforward analysis.

4.6.1 Health effects

Noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people. Studies have shown
that there are direct links between noise and health. Problems related to noise include:
• stress-related illnesses,
• high blood pressure,
• speech interference,
• hearing loss,
• sleep disruption, and
• lost productivity.

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Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the most common and frequently discussed
health effect, but research has shown that exposure to constant or high levels of noise
can cause many adverse health effects.

4.5.2 Economic effects

The problem of noise pollution relates more to how it impacts our well-being, than how
it affects our wallet. However, there has been a study by an international organisation
helping governments tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a
globalised economy, the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation) which
reported the social costs of transport noise:

Lower property values

• Spiralling health-care costs from loss of sleep, hearing problems or stress
• Drop in work income due to poor concentration, communication difficulties
or fatigue due to insufficient rest

Economic interest has always dominated noise control, but we now have to weigh this
against other likely costs such as:
• Loss of earnings
• Loss of productivity
• Burden on the health services and the criminal justice system
• Increasing violence
• Loss of quality of life.
• Lower property values due to increased transport noise

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Learning Activity 4.3:
• Evaluate the effect of Noise Pollution on South African Environment.
Explain the economic effects of noise pollution in South Africa.
Use the space provided below.

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4.7. Calculating noise Pollution Level
4.7.1. Measurement of noise
The noise is usually measured either by i) Sound Pressure or ii) Sound Intensity. The
Sound intensity is measured in Decibel (dB), which is tenth part of the longest unit
“Bel” named after Alexander Graham Bell. Decibel (dB) is a ratio expressed as the
logarithmic scale relative to a reference sound pressure level. The dB is thus expressed
as:
𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 (𝐼)
𝑆𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐿𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (4.1)
𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐼0)

or dB = 10 log I / I0

Since it is based on a ratio, the decibel itself is a pure number without a unit of measure.
A decibel is therefore not a unit of measure until we know what quantities are being
compared. Acoustic decibels are indicated with the term "dB (SPL)" which stands for
sound pressure level decibels. Noise level is calculated as follows:
• Define the units of measure. The bel can be expressed as Lb = log10 (P1/P0)
where Lb is the value in bels, and P1 and P0 are quantities. The bel is seldom
used because it is an inconveniently large unit for many applications.

• Define the decibel as 0.1 bel. This means that LdB = 10log10(P1/P0) where LdB
is the value in decibels. In order for the decibel to be used as a unit of measure,
P0 is set to some reference value.

Note that this definition produces a logarithmic scale, which allows the decibel
to easily express a large range of values.

• Select a level of sound pressure to use as a reference. The acoustic decibel is

based on a reference pressure of 20 micropascals, which is the lowest level of
sound that humans can normally hear. Call this level SPL0.

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 • Select a noise level to calculate the decibel value for the greatest sound pressure
that humans can hear over a short period of time without suffering permanent
hearing loss is 20 pascals. We will call this level SPL1.

• Calculate the decibel value for the noise level in the previous step.

We have LdB = 10log10(P1/P0) = 10log10(SPL1/ SPL0)2 since acoustic power is the

square of the acoustic pressure. Since SPL1/ SPL0 is 106, we now have LdB =
10log10((106)2) = 10log10(1012) =120 log10(10) = 120. Thus, the greatest sound pressure
that humans can hear over a short period of time without suffering permanent hearing
loss is 120 dB (SPL).

4.7.2. Instruments for Sound measurement

Sound meters
Sound meters are designed to measure sounds that your ear can detect. Your ear hears
middle-frequency sounds better than it hears very high or low frequencies. Sound
meters use special filters to mimic the ear’s performance. This device uses a microphone
to convert the energy in the sound into an electrical signal. When a sound wave hits the
microphone, it causes a diaphragm to vibrate, thereby producing electronic signals,
which are proportional to the sound pressure causing the vibration. This electronic
network then conditions the signal to provide meaningful results transmitted through a
visual display. Figure 4.2 below illustrates portable sound level meter, instrument for
measuring noise levels.

Figure 4.2: Sound Level meter

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Rule of thumb when measuring noise levels:
• The noise source being measured should be at least 10 dB above the
background (ambient) noise.
• The sound level meter should be kept as far away from any large
reflecting surfaces as you are from the source that you are measuring.
• All measurements should be made with the microphone at least 1 m above
the ground.

Under the decibel scale, when the sound level increases by 3-dB, the actual sound
energy doubles. This means that half of the sound energy must be eliminated to reduce
the sound level by 3-dB. Most people would barely notice a 3-dB change, but a 6-dB
change would be clearly noticeable, and a 10-dB increase would be perceived by your
ear as double the loudness. The difference between your ear's perception and the amount
of sound energy actually produced is critically important. It means that 90% of a given
sound energy must be eliminated before most people will judge a sound as half as loud.

Calculate Noise Pollution Level

Use the following formula when calculating noise pollution level:
NPL=L50+L10-L90+(L10-L90)2/60 (4.2)
where, NPL = Noise Pollution Level, L10 = Level exceeded 10 % of Time, L50 =
Level exceeded 50 % of Time, L90 = Level exceeded 90 % of Time.

4.8. Noise pollution Reduction \Control

Most South Africans experience different types of noise pollution. Due to the various
adverse impacts of noise on human beings and environment, noise should be controlled.
The control of noise pollution depends upon the extent to which noise reduction is
required, nature of equipment used and the economy aspects of the available techniques.

There are four fundamentals ways in which noise can be reduced:

a) Reduce noise at the source
b) Block the path/transmission of the noise

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 c) Increase the path length of noise and
d) Protect the recipient.

In general, the best control method is to reduce the noise level at source.

4.8.1. Reduction at source level

Noise can be reduced by:
i. Designing and fabricating silencing devices in air craft engines, automobiles
industrial machines and home appliances,
ii. The domestic noise comes from radios, tape recorders, television sets, mixers,
washing machines, cooking operations. The noise from the television sets,
tape recorders & radios can be controlled if they are played “in low” volume.
iii. The noise from mixers, washing machines & from cooking can be minimised
by their selective and judicious operation for required time. The noise
generated from falling of items in house can be minimised by the use of
carpets.
iv. Control over vibrations: The vibrations of materials may be controlled using
proper foundations, rubber padding etc. to reduce the noise level caused by
vibrations.
v. Low voice speaking: Speaking at a voice enough for communication
reduces the excess noise levels.
vi. Loud speaker prohibition: By not permitting the usage of loudspeakers in
residential zones except for important meetings.
vii. Machine quality: Selection of machinery or equipment’s which generate less
noise (sound) due to superior technology etc. is also an important factor in
noise minimisation strategy.
viii. Maintenance of machines: Proper lubrication and maintenance of machines,
vehicles etc. will reduce noise level.

4.8.2. Block the noise transmission path

The following techniques can be used to block/reduce noise during transmission of path:

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i) Installation of Barriers: These are insulations and sound-proofing to doors, around
industrial machinery and include Sound:
• Acoustillite : made up of Compressed wood pulp, wood fibers and is
available in the form of tiles;
• Acoustical blanket: Prepared from mineral wool or glass fibres;
• Hair Felt: Consists of wool fibres, Coarse Cotton Fibres and Fibre Glass;
• Cork Carpet: Prepared out of pieces of corks treated with linseed oil and
is used for covering floors.
• Acoustic Plaster: Mainly consists of gypsum in the form of plaster

ii) Green Belt Development: Zoning urban areas to maintain a separation between
residential areas and zones of excessive noise. Growing trees or green plants for
reduction or attenuation of sound is called green belt development. The degree of
attenuation varies with species of green belt. Plants absorb and dissipate sound
energy and thus act as Buffer Zone. Trees should be planted along highways, schools
and other places.

4.8.3. During Transmission

The change in the transmission path will increase the distance of travel for the wave and
sound on such a long path will get absorbed/ refracted/radiated in the surrounding
environment.

4.8.4. Protect the recipient

Protecting the receiver of noise pollution refers to the by-laws and regulations used to
protect the recipients of noise pollution. In South Africa, the Environmental
Conservation Act 73 of 1998 and Municipal by-laws protect the recipients against the
intolerable level of noise pollution. Please refer Environmental Engineers' Handbook
by Liptak & Liu (1999) and do activity 4.4.

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Learning Activity 4.4.
• Reading Activity: PROTECTING THE RECEIVER.
Read the following reference material and discuss the main idea in it related to
protecting the receiver from noise pollution.
o Liptak B.G. & Liu D.H.F. 1999. Environmental Engineers' Handbook.
ISBN: 9780849321573.

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4.8.5. Other control methods:
• Zoning
Zoning ensures the correct siting of factories, industries and residential areas to
reduce noise pollution to the minimum.

• Noise barriers
Noise buffers, in the form of sand mounds, covered with grass, may be considered
as a means of protecting communities from unacceptable noise levels. These
barriers need to be large enough to make them effective.

• Transportation control
Noise pollution from aircraft is controlled by zoning of airfields away from
residential areas. Road noise can be controlled by setting maximum noise levels for
each class of motor vehicle, and through information such as traffic flow, speed and
light/heavy traffic mix.

The noise created by passing cars is caused chiefly by the dynamic compression and
then release of the air trapped between the tires and pavement. Asphalt mixes,
especially macadam and acoustical mixes, significantly reduce noise pollution

• Education
Communities should be educated about the negative effect of noise on their
physical, mental and social lives. Before development projects commence,
potential sources of noise pollution associated with the project should be identified
and discussed with the community.

• Permissible limits of noise pollution and noise control legislation

Legislation should be enacted to effectively prevent noise from the various sources
of noise pollution.
Legislation providing for noise control includes:
o The environment Conservation Act, which provides noise regulations.

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 o The Road Traffic Act, which controls noise levels related to road traffic.
o The Aviation Act, which prevents nuisance in relation to air navigation or
aircraft-related issues.
o The Occupational Safety Act, which ensures the safety of persons in the
workplace.

International standards (WHO standards) has set outdoor noise level for residential
area of 55.0dBA during the day and 45.0dBA during the night. The South African
National Standards, SANS10103 of 2008 has made recommended equivalent
continues noise levels for use during planned developments as illustrated in Figure
4.2 below:

Equivalent continuous rating level (LReq.T) for

ambient noise-dBA
outdoors Indoors, with open
Type of District
windows
Day- Day Night Day- Day Night
Night time time Night time time
LRdn Reqd LRdn LRdn Reqd LRdn
Rural district 45 45 35 35 35 25
Sub-urban districts with 50 50 45 45 45 30
little traffic roads
Urban districts 55 55 45 45 45 35
Urban districts with some 60 60 50 50 50 40
workshops, with business
premises and with main
road
Central business districts 65 65 55 55 55 45
Industrial districts 70 70 60 60 60 60

Table 4.2: Recommended noise levels for different districts (SANS10103, 2008)

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• Town planning
Proper town planning will ensure that impact assessments for noise are carried out
before any development projects are undertaken.

• Time limit to control noise

By laws make provision for limiting noise emanating from events such as parties
by setting specific time limits after which the noise must cease.

4.8.6. Controlling Noise on Construction Sites

Controlling construction noise can pose special problems for contractors. Unlike
general industry, construction activities are not always stationary and in one location.
Construction activities often take place outside where they can be affected by:
• weather,
• wind tunnels,
• topography,
• atmosphere and
• landscaping.
Construction noisemakers, such as heavy earth-moving equipment, can move from
location to location and noise is likely to vary considerably in intensity throughout a
work day.

High noise levels on construction worksites can be lowered by using commonly

accepted engineering and administrative controls. Normally, earplugs and other types
of personal protective equipment (PPE) are used to control a worker’s exposure to noisy
equipment and work areas. However, as a rule, engineering and administrative controls
should always be the preferred method of reducing noise levels on worksites. Only,
when these controls are proven unfeasible, should earplugs be considered as a
permanent solution.

(a) Engineering controls

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Engineering controls modify the equipment or the work area to make it quieter.
Examples of engineering controls are:
• substituting existing equipment with quieter equipment;
• retro-fitting existing equipment with damping materials,
• mufflers, or enclosures;
• erecting barriers; and
• maintenance.

(b) Administrative controls

These are management decisions on work activities, work rotation and work load to
reduce workers’ exposure to high noise levels. Typical management decisions that
reduce worker’ exposure to noise are:
• moving workers away from the noise source;
• restricting access to areas;
• rotating workers performing noisy tasks; and
• shutting down noisy equipment when not needed.

(c) Personal Protective Equipment

Earplugs are the typical PPE given to workers to reduce their exposure to noise.
Earplugs are the control of last resort and should only be provided when other means of
noise controls are not feasible. As a general rule, workers should use earplugs whenever
they are exposed to noise levels of 85-90-dB or when they have to shout in order to
communicate.

(d) Construction sites can be quieter

Although many in the construction industry believe that construction sites are inherently
noisy, there are many ways in which they can be made quieter:
• Sometimes a quieter process can be used. For example: pile driving is very
loud. Boring is a much quieter way to do the same work.
• New equipment is generally much quieter than old equipment. For example,
noise-reducing saw blades can cut noise levels in half when cutting masonry.
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 • Old equipment can be made quieter by simple modifications, such as adding
new mufflers or sound-absorbing materials.
• Noisy equipment can be sited as far away as possible from workers and
residents. Noise levels drop quickly with distance from the source.
• Temporary barriers/enclosures (e.g. plywood with sound- absorbing
materials) can built be around noisy equipment. These barriers can
significantly reduce noise levels and are relatively inexpensive.

(e) Major Noise Sources on Construction Sites

On construction sites there are many different sources of noise and these sources
produce many differing types of noise that need to be controlled, such as:
• background noise,
• idling noise,
• blast noise,
• impact noise,
• rotating noise,
• intermittent noise,
• howling, screeches and
• squeals.

Table 4.3 shows the noises levels of common construction equipment.

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Table 4.3: Noise level of equipment used on construction sites

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Noise Perimeter Zones
Noise perimeter zones (NPZ) are another administrative control to limit exposure to
noisy processes or equipment to as few workers as possible. NPZ are areas where noise
levels of 90-dB or more are roped off and marked to keep out all workers who don't
have to be there. A sound level meter can be used to find the safe distance from the
source (90-dB) and the NPZ can be set up at that distance. Noise does not radiate from
the source at the same level in all directions. Noise from machinery can be louder in
one direction than another because the noise can also be either absorbed or reflected
from surfaces it strikes, such as the ground or a wall. Therefore, measurements should
be taken at several points in an area where people might be working. Once noise levels
that are 90-dB or more are determined, rope off this area as the Noise Perimeter Zone
as illustrated in Figure 4.3 below:

Figure 4.3: Noise Perimeter Zone

4.9. Summary
Noise pollution, has been strengthening its grip on our society since last two decades.
Damages caused by other problems are reversible to some extent whereas in case of
noise pollution, it is irreversible. The three major sources of noise pollution are:
• Industry & Machinery.
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 • Transportation, such as surface and air traffic.
• Community activities like entertainment and construction works.

Construction sites produce a lot of noise, mainly from: vehicles, heavy equipment and
machinery, but also from people shouting and radios turned up too loud. Excessive noise
is not only annoying and distracting, but can lead to:
• hearing loss,
• high blood pressure,
• sleep disturbance and
• extreme stress.

This unit presents the sources of noise pollution and its effect on the environment.

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4.10. References

WHO, 1999. Environmental, Health and Safety Guidline for Community Noise and
Mining, World Health Organization,Geneva.

LIPTAK, B.G. & LIU, D. H. F. 1999. Environmental Engineers' Handbook. ISBN:

9780849321573

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), 1981. Noise Effects Handbook, A
Desk Reference to Health and Welfare Effects of Noise By Office of the Scientific
Assistant, Office of Noise Abatement and Control, U.S. EPA, October 1979.

South African National Standards-SANS 10103 0r 2008

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