Index

Introduction 1
Types of Noise Pollution 2
Source of Noise Pollution 2-5
Effects of Noise Pollution 4-5
 Auditory Effects
 Non-Auditory Effects
Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution 5-6
Raise Awareness About Noise Pollution 6-7

Bibliography 8
 Noise Pollution

INTRODUCTION

The word noise is derived from the Latin word ‘Nausea', which means sickness in which
one feels the need to vomit. Noise is the unpleasant and undesirable sound which leads to
discomfort in human beings.

The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The faintest sound that the human ear
can hear is 1 Db.

DEFINITION

Not all sound is considered noise pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO)
defines noise above 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes
harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB. As a consequence, it
is recommended noise levels be kept below 65 dB during the day and indicates that restful
sleep is impossible with nighttime ambient noise levels in excess of 30 dB.

Noise has two measurable properties:

1. Frequency- The normal, human audio-frequency range (audible range) varies from 20-
20000 Hz. Below 20 Hz are infra- audible (infrasonic) and above 20000 Hz are called
ultrasonic (ultrasound). 2. Intensity-The loudness of sound is measured in "Decibels (dB)".

2. Intensity-The loudness of sound is measured in "Decibels (dB)".

Whispering 20-30dB
Normal conversation 60-65dB
Street traffic 60-80dB
shouting About 100dB
Motor car horn,train,aeroplain About 150 dB
Jet plane About 150dB
Types of Noise Pollution
Following are the three types of pollution:

 Transport Noise
 Neighbourhood Noise
 Industrial Noise

Transport Noise

It mainly consists of traffic noise which has increased in recent years with the increase in the
number of vehicles. The increase in noise pollution leads to deafening of older people,
headache, hypertension, etc.

Neighbourhood Noise

The noise from gadgets, household utensils etc. Some of the main sources are musical
instruments, transistors, loudspeakers, etc.

Industrial Noise

It is the high-intensity sound which is caused by heavy industrial machines. According to

many researches, industrial noise pollution damages the hearing ability to around 20%.

SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution like other pollutants is also a by- product of industrialization, urbanizations
and modern civilization. Broadly speaking, the noise pollution has two sources, ie. 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 neighborhood noise generated by various noise pollution can also be divided in the
categories, namely, natural and manmade.

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

1. Transport noise,

2. Occupational noise,

3. Neighbourhood noise

4.Consumer Products noise

1) Transport Noise

Noise arising due to different types of transportation is called transport noise.

This can be subdivided into-

a. Road Traffic Noise:

Vehicles on road produce irritation for more people than any other noise source. This is
because of steady increase in the number of road vehicles and consequently increases of road
traffic density.

b. Aircraft Noise:

It differs from road traffic noise in the sense that it is not continuous but intermittent. There
are peak noise levels when aircraft fly overhead and land at the airport.

c. Rail Traffic Noise:

The intensity of rail traffic noise is much lower than any other traffic noise. Usually all
railway tracks run through rural areas and so the exposure of rail traffic noise is minimum.

2) Occupational noise:

This is mainly produced by industrial machines and processes which affects millions of
people. It also includes noise from domestic articles, Le. washing machines, vacuum cleaners
and on. Industrial workers are exposed to noise minimum of 8 hours per day and 6 days per
week.

3) Neighbourhood noise:

There are a variety of sources such as, television, radio, DVD players and so on, which
disturbs and annoys the general public

4) Consumer Products noise:

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.

Effects of noise pollution

Noise pollution can trigger the body's stress response, one of its major health effects is
chronic stress and the high levels of stress hormones that go with it. As a result, noise
pollution has also been linked with health problems such as heart disease, high blood
pressure, and stroke. It's also been linked with musculoskeletal problems.

Auditory Effects

1) Auditory fatigue: - Appears in 90 dB region and greatest at 4000 Hz frequency: may be

associated with effects like whistling and buzzing in the ears.

2) Deafness:- Occurs at a frequency ranging between 4000 Hz. May lead to temporary or
permanent deafness.

 Temporary deafness: results from a specific exposure to noise. Disability disappears

after a period of time up to 24 hours following the noise exposure.

 Permanent deafness: may be resulted by repeated or continues exposure to noise

around 100 dB. Deafness occurring due to occupation in industries occupational
deafness. Exposure to noise above 160 dB -rupture the tympanic membrane & cause
permanent deafness.

3) Inner ear damage:- may vary from minor changes in the hair cell endings to complete
destruction of organ of corti.

Non-Auditory Effects

1) Interference with speech: Most disturbance in speech is caused at 300-500 Hz range

commonly present in noise produced in road & air traffic.
  For good speech, intelligibility speech sound level must exceed the SIL (Speech
interference level) approx. 12 Db.

2) Annoyance: primarily a psychological response. Neurotic people are more sensitive to

noise than balanced people.

3) Efficacy : where ever mental concentration is required, silence or a low level of noise is
required. Reduction in noise - increases work output.

4) Psychological changes : Temporary psychological changes occur in our body as a direct

result of noise pollution Hypertension, increased intracranial pressure, increased heart rate,
increased breathing, Increased sweating.

5) Cardiovascular health - CV effects & expc to moderately high levels during a single 8
hour period causes a statistical rise in BP of 5-10 mm of hg.

 Stress & vasoconstriction leads to the increases BP & increased incidence of coronary
artery disease.

6) General symptoms:

 Giddiness
 Nausea
 Fatigue
 Interference with sleep
 Visual disturbance constriction of pupil, affect colour perception & reduced night
vision.

7) Economic loss: Causes reduced work output & noise induced hearing loss.

Prevention and control of noise pollution

1) Careful planning of cities

 Division of city into zones with separation of area concerned with industry&
transport.
 Separation of residential areas from the main streets with green belts.
  House fronts should lie not less than 15 mts from road & the intervening space should
thickly planted with trees.

2) Control of vehicles

 Heavy vehicles should not be routed into narrow streets.

 Reduce vehicular traffic on residential streets.
 Prohibit blowing of horn & use of pressure horn.

3) Industries & railways

 Special areas must be earmarked outside residential areas, for industries, for railways
& similar installations.
 When these demands cant be met, protective green belts must be laid down between
installation & residential area.

4) Protection of exposed persons

 Recommendations of hearing protection for all workers who are consistently exposed
to noise louder than 85db in frequency bands above 150Hz.
 Regularly rotate workers from noisy area to comparatively quiet posts in factories.
 Go for periodical audiogram check-ups.
 Use ear plugs, ear muffs when ever situation demands.

Raise awareness about noise pollution

 Create, collect, and distribute information and resources regarding noise pollution
 Strengthen laws and governmental efforts to control noise pollution.
 Establish networks among environmental, professional, medical, governmental, and
activist groups working on noise pollution issues
 Assist activists working against noise pollution
 Reduce noise exposure by honking less while driving
 Installing dual-paned windows
 Switching off the TV and not keep it constantly running
 According to The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, a
loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining
written permission from the authority and the same shall not be used at night i.e.
between 10.00p.m. and 6.00 a.m.
 The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loudspeaker or public
address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB (A)
above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB (A) whichever is lower.
 The peripheral noise level of privately owned sound system shall not exceed by more
than 5 dB (A) than the ambient noise standard specified for the area in which it is
used, at the boundary of the private place.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Book Author Publication

स्वस्थवृत विज्ञान Dr. निधि गुप्ता चौखंबा पब्लिके शन (2019)

स्वास्थवृत्त सुधा Dr. का नाथ समगंडी आ यु र्वे द सं स् कृ त पु स् तक

भंडार (2021)
स्वस्थवृत्त Dr. सर्वेश कु मार चौखंबा प्रकाशन