INVESTIGATING AND ANALYZING NOISE POLUTION

ALONG ABA OWERRI ROAD AREA, ABA

ABSTRACT
The study will examine the incidence of noise pollution along Aba owerri road area, in the wake
of its challenges on the inhabitants of this area. Survey will be done by monitoring noise levels at
twelve (12) major points along Aba owerri road area with the aid of a Global Positioning System
machine for coordinate location and a digital sound level metre will be used for the noise level
readings. The noise level readings will be taken in the mornings, afternoons and evenings for 30
days to ensure a comprehensive geographical survey of the area. The noise level readings will be
analyzed using SPSS Kit. The geographical survey of the area noise readings will be compared
with the Environmental noise standards as prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB). The effects of noise on human beings and its environment will be examined. However,
the promulgation and implementation of a noise bill and empowerment of regulatory agency will
be the major ways of solving its effects. Education awareness will equally be used in line with
general practice globally. However, government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
will also play a significant role in this process.

Torti Eke Kalu

ekekalu@yahoo.com :08030408297
Lead Researcher

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Noise is one of the major physical environmental factors affecting our health in today. Noise is
derived from the Latin word “nausea” which means unwanted sound or sound that is loud,
unpleasant or unexpected that disturbs human being physically and physiologically and causes
environmental pollution by destroying environmental properties (Melnick, 1979). Noise can also
be defined as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise
from road, vehicular traffic, neighbourhood, electrical appliances, TV and music system, public
address systems, rail, Generating set, airports and from industrial sites (EPC, 2002). Sound is a
form of energy which is emitted by a vibrating body and on reaching the ear causes the sensation
of hearing through nerves.

Sounds produced by all vibrating bodies are not audible. The frequency limits of audibility are
from 20 HZ to 20,000 HZ. Sounds of frequencies less than 20 HZ are called infrasonics and
greater than 20,0000 HZ are called ultrasonics. Since noise is also a sound, the terms noise and
sound are synonymously used. Noise is unpleasant and has a general effect on human health.
Though noise pollution is a slow and subtle killer, yet very little efforts have been made to
ameliorate the same. It is, along with other types of pollution has become a hazard to quality of
life. Kiernan (1997) finds that even relatively low levels of noise affect human health adversely.
It may cause hypertension, disrupt sleep and/or hinder cognitive development in children.
The effects of excessive noise could be so severe that either there is a permanent loss of memory
or a psychiatric disorder (Bond, 1996). Thus, there are many an adverse effects of excessive
noise or sudden exposure to noise. This unwanted sound is a common condition in both the
developed and developing country like Nigeria.

The general effect of noise on the hearing of workers has been a topic of debate among scientists
for a number of years (Jansen, 1992, Johnson, 1991, and Alton and Ernest, 1990). Regulations
limiting noise exposure of industrial workers have been instituted in many places. For example,
the basis of environmental policy in Nigeria is contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. Pursuant to section 20 of the Constitution, the State is empowered to protect
and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wildlife of

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Nigeria. In addition to this, section 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 1992 (EIA
Act) provides that the public or private sector of the economy shall not undertake or embark on
or authorise projects or activities without prior consideration of the effect on the environment. In
the United States of America, the Occupational Noise Exposure Regulation states that industrial
employers must limit noise exposure of their employees to 90 dBA for one 8-h period (USEPA,
1973, Eleftheriou, 2002). This permitted maximum noise exposure dose is similar to the Turkey
Standard, which is less than 75 dBA for one 7.5 h period (RTME, 1986).
Exposure to continuous and extensive noise at a level higher than 85 dBA may lead to hearing
loss. Continuous hearing loss differs from person to person with the level, frequency and
duration of the noise exposed (USEPA, 1974). Negative effects of noise on human beings are
generally of a physiological and psychological nature. Hearing losses are the most common
effects among the physiological ones. It is possible to classify the effects of noise on ears in three
groups: acoustic trauma, temporary hearing losses and permanent hearing loss (Melamed et al,
2001). Blood pressure increases, heart beat accelerations, appearance of muscle reflexes,
sleeping disorders may be considered among the other physiological effects. The psychological
effects of noise are more common compared to the psychological ones and they can be seen in
the forms of annoyance, stress, anger and concentration disorders as well as difficulties in resting
and perception (Cheung, 2004, Ohrstrom, 1989, and Finegold et al, 1994).

A great majority of people working in industry, walking on the roads, students, business men and
women, religious members are exposed to noise. Therefore, in this study, the effects of noise on
human beings and its environment will be investigated, analyzed and compared with the CPCB
standard. Its effects on humans and the environment will be studied and possible solutions will
be provided.

OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH

The objectives of this research include the following:

a. To investigate and analyze the noise level of the study area
b. To know the causes of noise on the study area
c. To investigate the negative effects of noise on ecology

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 d. To suggest the possible ways of tackling the effects

EXPECTED BENEFITS OF RESEARCH

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FREQUENCY ANALYZERS

Global Positioning System machine

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Noise is one of the physical environmental factors affecting the health of individuals in today’s

world. The word noise is derived from a Latin word “Nausea”, implying, “unwanted sound,

unpleasant and unexpected sound”.

However, noise is generally defined as the unpleasant sounds which disturb the human being

physically and physiologically and causes environmental pollution (Milmic, 1979).

Though noise pollution is a slow and subtle killer, yet very little effort have been made to reduce

it. Noise pollution can be considered as an environmental hazard. The noise generated from

sound waves are transformed into electrical impulses in the ear and are carried to the brain

which enables the individual to near.

Environmental noise has become a source of concern in most educational institutes, Hospitals,

private and public areas in Nigeria. Environmental noise may have a negative impact on the

quality of life and property values causes hearing impairment communication problems and in

most cases may have direct health impact discomfort.

SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION

Noise disrupts the tranquility of the environment and can affect climate and human health
negatively. Amongst the common sources of noise pollution that contributed directly to climate
change are:

(a) Electricity Generating Plant

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Electric energy occupies the top grade in energy hierarchy as it finds innumerable uses in homes,
industry, agriculture, religious centers and defense and of course in some nations, transportation.
Nigeria's electricity power situation is very poor because of erratic power supply. As a result,
there is an upsurge in the use of electricity generating plant with its attendant noise pollution on
the environment and human health. Most workplaces and homes use generating plants 24 hours
in alternative to power supply (Akinbulire et al, 2007). The noise from generating plants in
Nigeria couples with its accompanying smoke emission to the sky has greatly contributed to the
breaking of the ozone layer in the sky (Olokooba et al, 2005).

(b) Public address system (loudspeakers)

As a result of timid population in the world today, the use of public address system has now
become major equipment in reaching the audience. Our religious places, schools, business areas
use it for addressing a targeted population thereby causing an increase in noise population.
Public address system (loudspeakers) turns out to be major sources of noise pollution. It appears
that loudspeakers are frequently used for religious functions (and temple prayers). Disturbance
by loudspeakers and automobiles is felt by the entire public (Bhargawa, 2001).

(c)Vehicular Traffic
Increase in population in the world today has brought about increase vehicular traffic which also
is a source of noise pollution around the globe especially in most urban cities around the world.
The situation is getting seriously alarming with increase in traffic density on city roads due to
bad roads. Government, ambulances or police official cars on the bid for easy passage do
increase noise pollution by using sirens while moving on the roads. The emissions of smoke
from these cars are of great concern to the changes we are currently experiencing in the climate
of this country and that of the world in general (ibid).

(d) Construction /Industrial Noise

To meet the demands of the necessity of living, the construction of buildings, highways, and city
streets causes a lot of noise. Pneumatic hammers, air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump
trucks, and pavement breakers are the major sources of noise pollution in construction sites all

6
emitted one classes of smoke or another, which are all contributing to the current changes in
climate (ibid).

(e) Household Noise

Household equipments such as vacuum cleaners, mixers, televisions, radio and some kitchen
appliances are noisemakers of the house.
Though they do not cause too much of problem, their effect of noise emitted on human health
cannot be neglected. Furthermore, noise can be generated from neighbourhood noise cinsisting
of neighbouring apartments and noise within one’s own apartment (Niemann et al, 2009).

(f) Hawking noise

Most people struggling to survive engage in hawking on the streets or roads, while hawking do
increase noise pollution and the same time not realizing the difficulties they caused to others and
themselves. There can be lose of hearing, stress level may go high and even mental instability.

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SOUND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
Many types of measuring systems will be used for the measurement of sound depending on the
purpose of the study, the characteristics of sound and the extent of information that is desired
about the sound. The various elements in a measuring system are:
a. the transducer; that is, the microphone;
b. the electronic amplifier and calibrated attenuator for gain control;
c. the frequency weighting or analyzing possibilities;
d. the data storage facilities;
e. the display.
Not all elements will be used in every measuring system. The microphone can, for instance, be
connected to a sound level meter or directly to a magnetic tape recorder for data storage and
future measurement or reference.

MICROPHONES
The microphone is the interface between the acoustic field and the measuring system. It responds
to sound pressure and transforms it into an electric signal which can be interpreted by the
measuring instrument (e.g. the sound level meter) (Malchaire, 1994).
The Sensitivity of a Microphone
The sensitivity of a microphone is defined as the amplitude (in mV) of the output signal for an
incident sound pressure of amplitude 1 Pa (94 dB) at 1000 Hz. It can also be expressed in
decibels by the following expression:

𝑉𝑝𝑜
𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 20log10 𝑉𝑜𝑝 𝑑𝐵 𝑜𝑟 1𝑉/𝑃𝑎

Thus, a microphone giving an output signal V of 10 mV for a pressure signal p of 94 dB has a

sensitivity of 10 mV/Pa or -40 dB. Here p0 = 1Pa and V0 = 1 volt.

SOUND LEVEL METERS

The electrical signal from the transducer will be fed to the pre-amplifier of the sound level meter
and, a weighted filter over a specified range of frequencies. Further amplification prepares the

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signal either for output to other instruments such as a tape recorder or for rectification and direct
reading on the meter (Malchaire, 1994).

NOISE DOSIMETERS
The need to ascertain the noise exposure of workers during their normal working day, has led to
the development of the noise dosimeter. This is a small, light and compact instrument to be worn
by the worker. It measures the total A-weighted sound energy received and expresses it as a
proportion of the maximum A-weighted energy that can be received per day. This instrument is
particularly useful whenever the exposure varies appreciably during the working day (Malchaire,
1994 and Harris, 1991).

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 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHOD

DATA COLLECTION
Noise measurements will be carried out in twelve (12) major locations of Aba-Owerri road area
Aba of Abia State representing silence, residential, industrial and commercial areas using AS-
156B sophisticated digital sound level meter at the same time for thirty (30) consecutive days.
Noise levels will be measured at Living word hospital, Abia State Polytechnic campus, Rose
vine hospital (Near Binez Hotel), Calabar Street, Aijagba street (Near FCM BANK), Kamalu
street, Brass junction, MCC Bus stop, Union Bank area, Ahia Nkwo Market, Umungasi Market
area and Star Paper-Mill industry. Brass junction, MCC Bus stop and Union Bank area will be
selected for the study to assess the noise level of commercial zone. Commercial zone is fully
occupied with several types of business establishments. Calabar Street, Aijagba Street (Near
FCM BANK) and Kamalu area will represent the residential area for the study. Ahia Nkwo
market, Umungasi market area and Star Paper-Mill industry will represent the industrial areas.
Living word hospital, Abia State Polytechnic and Rose vine hospital (Near Binez Hotel) will
represent Silence zone. Silence zone is defined as an area comprising not less than 100 metres
around hospitals, educational institutions and courts. The silence zones are zones that are
declared as such by the competent authority; mixed categories of areas may be declared as one of
the four above-mentioned categories by the competent authority. Initial assessment will be made
at all the locations by recording sound pressure levels for twelve hours (6.00AM to 09.00PM) at
the interval of one hour in each location.

MEASUREMENT/ CALCULATION OF SOUND

The intensity of sound is measured in sound pressure levels (SPL) and common unit of
measurement is decibel, dB. The community (ambient) noise levels are measured in the A
- weighted SPL, abbreviated dB(A). This scale resembles the audible response of human ear.
Sounds of frequencies from 800 to 3000 HZ are covered by the A - weighted scale. If the sound
pressure level, L1 in dB is measured at r1 meters, then the sound pressure level, L2 in dB at r2
meters is given by (Rao, 1995).

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L2 = L1 - 20 log10 (r2/r1) …………….. (1)
If the sound levels are measured in terms of pressure, then, sound pressure level, LP is given by
(Rao, 1995),
LP = 20 Log10 (P/Po) dB(A) …………...... (2)

Day-night equivalent noise levels (Ldn): The day night equivalent noise levels of a community
can be expressed as (Rao, 1995), -
Ldn , dB(A) = 10 x log10 [15/24 (10Ld/10) + 9/24 (10(Ln + 10)/10)] ............... (3)
where, Ld = day-equivalent noise levels (from 6AM - 9 PM), dB (A)
Ln = night equivalent noise levels (from 9 PM - 6 AM), dB (A)
The variations in the emission of noise levels in a particular environment can be assessed from
the statistical distribution of noise levels in that environment. To draw a statistical distribution
curve, terms like L10, L50 and L90 play an important role.
The Sound levels exceeding 10%, 50% and 90% of the total time intervals during a particular
period are designated as L10, L50 and L90 respectively.

The equivalent noise levels, Leq can also be calculated as (Rao, 1995),
Leq = L50 + (L10 - L90)2 / 60 ………………. (4)

Noise Climate (NC): It is the range over which the sound levels are fluctuating in an interval of
time (Rao, 1995),
NC = L10 – L90 ………………. (5)

FREQUENCY ANALYZERS
The objective of frequency analysis is to determine how the overall level is distributed over a
range of frequencies. The most usual analysis for occupational hygiene noise studies is octave
band analysis. For more detailed information, narrower bands can be used such as one-third
octave analysis or constant bandwidth analysis.
A number of analyzers will be use with the sound level meter. The simplest models are sets of
passive filters (octave or one third octave) that can be inserted between the two amplifiers of the
SLM. Other analyzers are specific instruments making it possible to automatically scan the

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whole range of frequency bands. These are sequential instruments making measurements in one
band at a time. This strongly restricts their use as the noise must be constant both in amplitude
and in frequency during the 5 to 10 minutes of the analysis (Malchaire, 1994 and Harris, 1991).
More sophisticated analyzers have the possibility to make the frequency analysis in all desired
bands at the same time. These are analyzers using a set of parallel filters or using the fast fourier
transform of the input signal before recombining the data into the desired bands (Malchaire,
1994).

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF NOISE POLLUSION

Application of GIS in analyzing the Spatio-temporal distribution of noise generation along Aba
owerri road route, GIS assists in the mapping of noise meter data in the face of environmental
conditions, so as to make useful decisions in planning purposes. The analysis will involve the
digitizing of all the route network of the study area and identification of bus-stops as point
locations based on the national grid M ZONE 31, on the satellite image. A thematic overlay will
be done to identify the spatial relationship between these two phenomena (location and noise
levels). Spatial interpolation analysis using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) will be used to
create surface grid of the weighed noise pollution. The spatial variation will be grid to display
the periodical continuous surface view of decibels (dB) per time period of sampled points (bus-
stops) along the route. The interpolated noise grid will be overlaid on the land use classification
of the study area to determine boundaries of excess exposure to noise and risk zones. The grid
system will convert the 3rd dimension (z value as noise meter) to a continuous surface of noise
pollution using ArcView3.3 surface analysis tool, and the x-tool in measuring the distance
between locations.

RESEARCH TEAM
The research team is made up of the following staff of the School of Science and Industrial
Technology, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
1. T. E. Kalu (Lecturer II), Dept. of Physics/Electronics (Team Leader)
2. E. E. Igbokwe (Lecturer III), Dept. of Physics/Electronics
3. P. U. Ndukwe (Technologist), Dept. of Physics/Electronics
4.

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REQUIREMENTS AND BUDGET

Mini Digital Sound Level Meters AS-156B: (N 1,888,680)

The Mini Digital sound level meter As-156B is a special kind of sound meter that is capable of
memorizing 30 groups of measurement results and measuring conditions. Permits choice “A” /
“C” / “F” weighting and “Fast”/“Slow” response times. Offers 4 measurement parameters: Lp
(sound level). Leq (Equivalent Continuous A Sound Level). Lmax (Maximum Sound Level) and
LN (Percent of all readings over alarm value set). It has a resolution: 0.1 db, accurary: +/-1 dB
and Provide Bluetooth data output choice.
Twelve sound level meters will be needed at ninety three thousand, three hundred and ninety
naira each (N 157,390).

PROFESSIONAL/RESEARCH ASSISTANCE: (N 1,800,000)

Twelve research assistance to be engaged at 5000 per one per day for 30 days.

ANALYSES OF RESULT: (N 378,000)

This fund will be used for expenses on SPSS kit and laptop

PRINTING, STATIONARY AND POSTAGES: (N 43,000)

PUBLICATIONS: (N 250,000)
This fund will be used for expenses like conference participation, manuscript preparation and
journal publication cost.

OTHER POTENTIAL EXPENSES (N 25,000)

This fund will be used for expenses like transportations, internet data subscription and other
minor expenses.

AVAILABLE FACILITY

The Global Positioning System (GPS)

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SUMMARY OF BUDGET

ITEMS AMOUNT (NAIRA)

Equipments 1,888,680
Professional/research assistance 1,800,000
Analyses of result 378,000
Printing, stationary and postages 43,000
Publications 250,000
Other Potential Expenses 25,000
Total 4,384,680
Million naira only

DURATION OF RESEARCH
The proposed research duration is about 12 weeks (84 days) and is broken down as follows:
1. Acquisition of equipments 14 days
2. Collection of data 30 days
3. Analyses of result 14 days
4. Publications 18 days
5. Completion of report 8 days

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REFRENCES

Alton B. and Eernest J. (1990). Relationship between loss and noise exposure levels in a large
industrial population: a review of an overlooked study. J. Acoust Soc. Am 88 (S1),
S73 (A),

Bhargawa, Gopal: Development of India’s Urban and Regional Planning in 21st Century. Gian
Publishing House, New Delhi, pp.115-116 (2001).

Bond, Michael (1996). Plagued by noise. New Scientist, November 16: 14-15.

CHEUNG, C. K. (2004). Organizational influence on working people’s occupational noise

protection in Hong Kong. Journal of Safety Research, 35, 465,

Eleftheriou, P. C. (2002). Industrial noise and its effects on human hearing, Journal of Applied
Acoustics, 63-35.

Finegold L. S., Harris C. S. and Gierke von. H. E. Community annoyance and sleep disturbance;
Updated criteria for assessing the impact of general transportation noise on people.
Noise Control Eng. J. 42 (1) Jan.-Feb., 1994.

Harris, C. M. (Ed.) (1991) Handbook of acoustical measurements and noise control. 3rd
edition,New York, McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Jansen, G. (1992). Effects of noise on human beings. VGB (German) 72 (1), 60-68.

Johnson, D. (1991). Field studies: Industrial exposure. J. Acoust Soc. Am 90 (1), 170.

Kiernan, Vincent (1997). Noise pollution robs kids of languages skills. New Scientist. May10: 5.

Malchaire J. (1994).. Programmes de conservation de l'audition - Organisation en milieu

industriel. Paris, Masson, 1994, pp. 162.

Melamed, S., Fried, Y. and Froom, P. (2001). The interactive effect of chronic exposure to noise
and job complexity on changes in blood pressure and job satisfaction: A longitudinal
study of industrial employees, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 6, 182,
2001.

Melnick, W. (1979). Hearing loss from noise exposure, Handbook of Noise Control, Harris, C.
M (Ed.). Mc. Grow Hill, New York.

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Ohrstrom, E. (1989). Sleep disturbance psycho-social and medical symptoms a pilot survey
among person exposed to high levels of road traffic noise, Journal of Sound and
Vibration, 133, 117; 1989.

Rao, P.R., Noise Pollution and Control, Encyclopedia of Environmental Pollution and Control,
Vol.-2, Environmedia Publications, India, 1995 ed.

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment. Turkey organization standards, noise exposure

regulation, 1986.

USEPA (1973). (United States Environmental Protection Agency). Public health and welfare
criteria for noise. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington (DC).

USEPA (1974). (United States Environmental Protection Agency). Information on levels of

environmental noise requisite to protect public health and welfare with adequate
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International Association for Impact Assessment, 1999: Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment
Best Practice, UK. 20pp

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