ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE POLLUTION

M.Arivazhagan,

Dept of chemical Engg NIT,Trichy .

Why worry about noise?

Of all the pollution concerns:
Air,water,land, and noise; noise pollution is the one that has the potential for the most damage to humans and wildlife. It is a hidden health hazard that impacts our physical, psychological and intellectual well being. Our ears never shut down, even while we are sleeping, so the input is constant.

Noise Pollution
Noise pollution has a broad effect.
It can excite us Warn us of danger Soothe us Inspire us Keep us in touch with our surroundings. And, harm our well being.

Noise is Everywhere

Source of Noise
1.Noise in Industrial Area 2.Noise in Residential Area Mechanical devices Voices Music's Neighbors

3.Transportation Noise Road Traffic Rail Traffic Air Traffic

Continuation of sources
4.Constrution Noise /Public /Military

5.Domestic
6.Noise from Leisure Activities

Our Magical Ears

What does our ear drum do?

Sound waves are collected by our ear canal and passed to the ear drum, which vibrates. The sound waves are then picked up by fluid in the inner ear and passed to the inner ear structures where the acoustic nerve connects to the brain.

The Mighty Decibel

Hearing loss can occur from a single exposure to a loud noise or from repeated exposures. The Environmental Protection Agency has set a standard of 70 db in a 24 hour period as safe. Decibels measure the intensity of sound.

The Numbers
Rustling leaves- 10db whisper - 30 db normal speech - 60 db television - 70 db traffic - 75-80 db blow dryer - 85 db noisy hall - 85 db classroom - 85 db

Stereo - 90 db bagpipes - 90-110 db power saw - 100 db fire cracker - 115-120 db rock concert - 120 db gunshot/train/jet - 150 db

Environmental Noise

Physical Effects
Examples: hearing
loss, digestive disorders, birth defects, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, fatigue, headaches, asthma, hypertension, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, altered immune system.

Psychological Effects
Examples:
depression, anger, aggression, anxiety, increased violence, alcohol and drug use, fatigue, increase in suicide, decreased social skills, personality disorders

Communicative Effects
Examples:
decreased learning capacity, memory loss, poor language skills, decreased speech development, decreased academic performance, decreased cognitive ability

How much is too much?

Damage to health begins at 75 db. Hearing damage begins at 90 db and can be permanent with one exposure of 120 db or more. The average decibel levels at Montpelier High School are 70-86; where damage to physical, psychological and communicative health begins.

Sound Level Meter

Type Type Type Type 1 2 3 4 Precision Sound Level Meter General Purpose Sound Level Meter Survey Sound Level Meter Special Purpose Sound Level Meter

Microphones

Condenser

Piezoelectric

Dynamic

Weighing Networks

Auxiliary Equipment of the Sound Level Meter

Calibrator
Octave Band Filter Set Wind Screen Impulse Network Graphic Level Recorder

Types and Measurement Procedure

Noise control
Reducing the Sound Producer

Interrupting the Path of the Source

Protecting the Recipient

 Industrial Noise Control

Community Noise
Noise in the Home

Controlling the noise in your life is not hopeless, but does require determination on your part to respect and alter the level of noise.
Wear ear plugs in very loud places. Filtered ear plugs, such as Sonic II can be purchased in any music or gun shop. They reduce the damaging decibels, whereas foam plugs will muffle sound but still allow too high a decibel range to enter your ears. Increase trees and shrubs around property. Be aware of your surroundings and do whatever you can to reduce the noise level. Find quiet time daily. Carpeting, pictures and plants will absorb sound. Limit your time in a noisy environment

Under Sea Noise Pollution

Severe threat to the Marine organisms/Eco system Low Frequency Activities Sonar (LFAS)

Covers 80% World Ocean Detect Submarine Noise (240db)

Ambient noise standards

Area code category A B C D Industrial area Commercial area Residential area Silence zone Limits in dB Day Night 75 70 65 55 50 55 45 40

Figure in parenthesis are percentage

Sources of noise affecting male and female Respondents(Narendra Singh et al, 2004 )

Noise sources Loud speaker Automobiles Neighborhoods Religious functions Total respondents

Male 64(82) 52 (67) 38(49) 42(54) 78(100)

Female 57(79) 52(67) 35(49) 47(65) 72(100)

Figure in parenthesis are percentage

Effect of nosie on different age groups

Effect of

0-20 23(68) 33(97) 25(73) 33(68) 9(26) 8(23)

20-40 28(57) 47(96) 38(78) 46(94) 15(31) 17(35)

40-60 34(79) 41(95) 35(81) 41(95) 15(35) 17(40)

noise

Above 60 22(92) 20(83) 18(75) 22(92) 13(54) 8(32)

Total 107(71) 141(94) 116(77) 132(88) 52(35) 50(32)

Effect on hearing Interfere with communication Cause annoyance Disturb sleep Result in Deafness Mental Breakdown
Total

34(100)

49(100)

43(100)

24(100)

150(100)

Figure in parenthesis are percentage

Suggestion by different (age group) respondents

Suggestion
Education Government Efforts Involving NGOS Empowering police Empowering Civil Authorities

Total
50(33) 33(22) 26(17) 18(12) 23(15)

Total

150(100)

Figure in parenthesis are percentage

Remedies
Administrative remedies Judicial Remedies

Legislative Remedies
Public Co-operation International Co-operation

References
Environmental Noise Pollution , Patrick F.Cunniff,John Wiley & Sons (1977) Narendra Singh et al ,Noise pollution Sources , Effects & Control , J.Hum.Ecol, 16(3):181-187(2004) Noise and You by JOAN FITCH RN/B.S.N Environmental Engineering Ruth F.Weiner, Fourth edition Butter worth& Heinemann (2003)

The End