ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

NOISE POLLUTION

THEORY

Noise Pollution
The noise pollution is defined as the unwanted sound which is released into the environment. It disturbs
the human being and cause an adverse effect on the mental and psychological well being. It is measured
in the units of decibels and is denoted by the dB. The noise which is more than 85 dB causes wear and
tear of the ear.
The industrial limit of sound in the industries must be 75 dB according to the world health organization.
A type writer can produce a sound at 60 dB. There are different sources of the noise pollution and
include the agriculture machines, industries which produce a sound and the use of entertaining
equipment, crackers, the blasting of dynamite, bull dozing, stone crushing, defense equipments and
textile mills.

Causes of Noise Pollution

The sources of noise are more in urban and industrial areas than in rural areas. The sources in general
may be stationary or mobile.
1. Stationary Sources
Use of loudspeakers on various occasions like festivals, elections, worships in temples, mosques and
during advertisements, mining operations, use of bulldozers, drillers and dynamites to break rocks,
household gadgets like vacuum cleaner, TV, radio, stereo, grinder, mixer etc., common vegetable and
fish markets.
2. Mobile Sources
Road traffic, railway traffic, air traffic, navigation etc the sources of noise can be classified in following
categories:
(1) Transportation / Traffic noise
(2) Industrial noise
(3) Noise from construction work
(4) Neighborhood noise

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

NOISE POLLUTION

THEORY

1. Transportation / Traffic Noise

The main threat of noise comes from transport. A survey in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata showed that
daytime noises varied from 60 dB (A) in busy localities. In some heavy traffic areas, the average noise
level reached up to 90 dB (A) even at nights.

(a) Road Traffic or Highway Noise:

The noise generated from highway traffic is one of the major sources of noise pollution.
Highway noises are of two types, viz., noises generated by individual vehicles and noises
generated by a continuous flow of vehicles of all types.
The noises from individual vehicles include noise from engine and transmission, exhaust noise,
noise due to slamming of car doors and use of horn. Traffic speed is one of the major causes of
noise. The other factors on which traffic noise depends are traffic density and a number of
operating factors / conditions/type of vehicle. Heavy diesel engine vehicles are the noisiest
vehicles on roads. It can be observed that sports car and motor cycles are notorious noise
producers.
(b) Aircraft Noise:
Aircraft noise differs from road traffic noise in the sense that it is not continuous but
intermittent. Noise is at a maximum during take-off and landing. Major cities around the world
have banned or reduced flights at night and also prescribed noise limits.
(c) Rail Traffic Noise:
Noise from rail traffic is not a serious nuisance as compared to the road traffic and airport noise.
The noise produced is generally, of lower frequency than that of road vehicles and further, most
railway tracks run through rural areas. The impact of noise pollution by trains is felt maximum in
buildings located beside railway tracks. The normal ambient noise level near rail tracks went up
by 10-20 dB(A) during train movement.

2. Industrial Noise
In industries, noise is the by-product of energy conversion. The compressors, generators, furnaces,
looms, grinding mills, release valves and exhaust fans are the most offending noise sources.
The common noise level in most units is 80-120 dB(A), which is really hazardous. Studies showed that
1.3 per cent of industrial workers suffer from tinnitus for noise exposure levels up to 80 dB.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

NOISE POLLUTION

THEORY

3. Noise from Construction Work

Noise from construction sites is generally far worse than the noise originating from factories. There are
two reasons for this - one is that construction (of roads, bridges, buildings, dams etc.) may become
necessary anywhere and the other reason is that construction equipments are inherently noisy.

4. Neighbourhood Noise
It includes a variety of noise sources which disturb and annoy general public. The most I prominent is
the indiscriminate use of loudspeakers in public functions, entertainments, festivals, I elections etc. The
other sources include vacuum cleaners, TV, radio sets and washing machines, etc.
During the festivals like Diwali, fireworks push up the noise level up to 80-100 dB(A) during evening
hours, against the normal level of 50 dB(A).

Effects of Noise Pollution

1. Hearing Issues
Exposure to the harm full noise can cause damages to our most important organs of our body, i.e., the
ear. The Hearing impairment happened because of noise pollution may be a temporary one or
permanent one. Whenever the sound level goes above 70 dB mark which becomes a noise to our ear. If
the noise level crosses over the 80 decibels which will produce many harm full effects to our ear. When
our ear is exposed to a sound that goes over the 100 decibels for certain period of time, it will cause
irreparable damage to the ear and will also lead to all time / permanent hearing loss.

2. Cognitive function
If your ears are regularly exposed to some loud noise you will lose the reading, understanding and
learning ability. You will also lose the Problem solving abilities and may get the short term memory lose
because of the often exposure to the noise. This Noise pollution will also give a raise to the level of error
and will decrease your productivity in office. Research shows that the children who are studying in the
noisy environment are showing very poor cognitive function.

3. Cardiovascular Problems
Our noisy environments are one of the main sources for the heart issues. Researchers have revealed
that high level of sounds can give a dramatic raise to the blood pressure. It also increase the heart beat
rate. This is proved by analyzing the heart beta of children who are staying and learning the noisy
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ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

NOISE POLLUTION

THEORY

environment. It is very high when compare to the children who are living in the reduced noisy
environment.

Apart from this noise pollution can cause sleep disturbances and may produce mental problems. It may
cause anxiety and stress which may lead to the fright. It causes the disturbance in nervous systems of
urban babies and lead to the emotional disturbances along with the abnormal behavior. It may increase
the heart rate, decreased output, constriction of vessels and impaired vision. In case of animals it can
affect the heart, liver and brain. It may also affect the brain by dilating the blood vessels.