UNIT-5
NOISE POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL
IMPORTANT QUESTION AND ANSWER
PART-A
1) Source of Noise?
Some of its major causes are vehicles, aircraft, industrial machines,
loudspeakers, crackers, etc. When used at high volume, some other appliances
also contribute to noise pollution, like television, transistor, radio, etc.
2) Write about unit and measurement of noise pollution?
The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The faintest sound that the
human ear can hear is 1 Db. Due to increasing noise around the civilizations,
noise pollution has become a matter of concern.
3) What are the types of noise pollution?
There are three main types of Noise pollution they are as follows:
• Industrial noise pollution
• Transport noise pollution
• Neighbour or construction noise pollution.
4) General control measure of noise pollution?
There are three general control measure of noise pollution
• Modifying the sources.
• Controlling or changing the transmission path.
• Providing the personal protective equipment.
5) Effect of noise pollution on human health?
Noise pollution can be hazardous to human health in the following ways:
• Hypertension:
• Hearing loss
• Sleeping disorders
• Cardiovascular issue
6) What is auditory effect?
Chronic exposure to loud noises can damage these hair cells. Loud sounds can
irreversibly damage auditory nerves that carry the information to the brain.
Permanent hearing loss may also affect speech.
7) What is non auditory effect?
Non-auditory effects of noise include increased stress, cardiovascular function
(hypertension, changes to blood pressure and/or heart rate), annoyance, sleeping
problems, and mental health.
8) Explain the prevention and control of noise pollution?
Some noise pollution preventive measures are provided in the points below:
• Honking in public places like teaching institutes, hospitals, etc. should be
banned.
• In commercial, hospital, and industrial buildings, adequate soundproof
systems should be installed.
• Musical instruments’ sound should be controlled to desirable limits.
9) How to protect a person from noise pollution?
• Use hearing protection devices (such as earplugs and earmuffs) when you
cannot avoid loud sounds.
• Make hearing protection convenient. Stash earplugs in your car or
workshop for easy access.
• Keep children away from loud music or equipment at home.
10) What is control transmission?
Noise Pollution can be controlled by designing quieter machines, using
acoustic enclosures, and vibration isolators, increasing the distance of the
transmission, and using noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, and more.
PART-B
1) Briefly explain about 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. Due to increasing noise around the civilizations, noise pollution has become
a matter of concern. Some of its major causes are vehicles, aircraft, industrial
machines, loudspeakers, crackers, etc. When used at high volume, some other
appliances also contribute to noise pollution, like television, transistor, radio,
etc.
Chart of noise pollution
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%.
Causes and Sources of Noise Pollution
Following are the causes and sources of noise pollution
Industrialisation: Industrialisation has led to an increase in noise pollution as
the use of heavy machinery such as generators, mills, huge exhaust fans are
used, resulting in the production of unwanted noise.
Vehicles: Increased number of vehicles on the roads are the second reason for
noise pollution.
Events: Weddings, public gatherings involve loudspeakers to play music
resulting in the production of unwanted noise in the neighbourhood.
Construction sites: Mining, construction of buildings, etc add to the noise
pollution.
Noise Pollution Examples
Following are the examples of noise pollution:
• Unnecessary usage of horns
• Using loudspeakers either for religious functions or for political purposes
• Unnecessary usage of fireworks
• Industrial noise
• Construction noise
• Noise from transportation such as railway and aircraft.
Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health
Noise pollution can be hazardous to human health in the following ways:
Hypertension: It is a direct result of noise pollution which is caused due to
elevated blood levels for a longer duration.
Hearing loss: Constant exposure of human ears to loud noise that are beyond
the range of sound that human ears can withstand damages the eardrums,
resulting in loss of hearing.
Sleeping disorders: Lack of sleep might result in fatigue and low energy level
throughout the day affecting everyday activities. Noise pollution hampers the
sleep cycles leading to irritation and an uncomfortable state of mind.
Cardiovascular issues: Heart-related problems such as blood pressure level,
stress and cardiovascular diseases might come up in a normal person and a
person suffering from any of these diseases might feel a sudden shoot up in the
level.
Prevention of Noise Pollution
• Some noise pollution preventive measures are provided in the points
below:
• Honking in public places like teaching institutes, hospitals, etc. should be
banned.
• In commercial, hospital, and industrial buildings, adequate soundproof
systems should be installed.
• Musical instruments’ sound should be controlled to desirable limits.
• Dense tree cover is useful in noise pollution prevention.
• Explosives should not be used in forest, mountainous and mining areas.
2) Characterization of noise from construction. (6 or 7marks)
Construction and building sites are among many sources of noise pollution.
Most of the noise from construction sites is hazardous. Noise emanates from the
use of equipment in construction activities. The activity at a construction site is
constantly changing as the work progresses. There may be carpentry work,
welding, cementation, mason work all going on simultaneously. There is a
specific set of equipment used for each job. Therefore, characterization of
noises from construction work can vary. Also, workers performing seemingly
quiet tasks can be exposed to loud noises from workers performing other tasks
around them. Below mentioned are some common construction tasks workers
perform along with the average noise level they generate.
• Electricians – 96 dB
• Welding – 98 dB
• Masonry – 100 dB
• Bulldozing – 100 dB
• Engineers – 98 dB
• Cementation – 103 dB
Noise at a construction site is difficult to control since the tasks’ location is
constantly changing. There are also constant adjustments being made to the size
of building features making construction sites a hazardous source of noise
pollution.
Equipment and instruments like drills, cement mixers, welding machines, saws,
jackhammers, cutters, and dumping trucks generate high levels of noise. These
noise levels go beyond the limits for safe hearing. They may be generated in
short pulses of high intensity, or they may be continuous.
Most employees at construction sites refrain from wearing noise protectors
saying that they make working conditions uncomfortable. When hearing noise
protectors, they cannot hear fellow workers, they would not be aware of
warning signals, and they feel hot. Some workers are even unaware of the risk
they put their hearing at and the need for noise protectors. These issues must be
solved to protect the hearing of construction workers. Employers must conduct
training programs to make workers aware of the on-site hazardous noise levels.
3) Characterization of Mining, Transportation and Industrial
Activities? (6 or 7 marks)
Mining involves heavy use of machinery. The machines are always in
continuous use. Their use in various activities generates high levels of noise.
Noise pollution at mines is a significant health hazard. It affects millions of
mine workers and people living in residential areas around the mines. Many
mineworkers suffer from stress, sleep disorders, and noise-induced hearing loss.
People living around mines also suffer from similar conditions, albeit to a lesser
extent. An acoustic barrier must be installed on the perimeter of mines to
attenuate noise. The two common methods for assessing noise levels in mines
are noise dosimetry and a sound level meter.
Road transport is the dominant source of noise pollution that affects all living
beings. Most noises from road traffic cross the safe limit of 55 dB during the
day and 50 dB during the night. Railways are the second dominant source of
noise pollution. People living around railway tracks are exposed to noise levels
above 55 dB daily, causing great harm to their health.
Plants and factories are the primary sources of industrial noise pollution. Noise
from industries can affect those working in the industry and those living around
it. Workers in the steelwork industry are prone to the highest levels of industrial
noise pollution. Steelwork involves using industrial blowers that generate noise
levels of higher than 110 dB. It causes hearing and speech impairment among
industrial workers. The sources of noise pollution that cause the most damage in
an industrial setting are:
• Machinery
• Vehicles
• Construction
Apart from destructive hearing effects, noise from these sources can lead to
psychological trauma too. Workers involved in these activities must wear
appropriate protective gear to avoid damage to their physical and mental health.
4) Characterization of Airport Noise? (6 or 7 marks)
People living around airports are exposed to more than 70 dB of noise daily. As
the tourism industry boomed, communities living peacefully near airports were
suddenly exposed to high noise levels that resulted from increased air activity.
People became annoyed and irritated by increased landings, take-offs, and the
construction of new runways. A survey found that hypertension and hearing
impairment was common among people living around airports. There was a 10-
20% increase in the chances of people being hospitalized due to a heart attack or
stroke.
Airport administrations now put up noise barriers and offer compensation to
residents. They also offer application forms for locals to submit complaints. An
increase in runway usage and air traffic was the reason for most complaints.
The primary source of noise pollution from airports is the aircraft engine.
However, the good news is that: with advancements in technology, engine noise
has been reduced. Aircrafts today generate 50% less noise compared to when
they first started. Even so, there is much more air traffic today than ever before.
Although engines were very loud a few decades ago, fewer aircraft were being
operated, unlike now. Therefore, locals do not consider reducing engine noise a
significant improvement in curbing noise pollution from airports.
The noises from airports also have adverse effects on animals and wild species.
The noise and movement of aircraft affect the migratory patterns of birds. They
also damage hearing and interfere with the survival of other species living in
ecologically sensitive zones around airports.
There is a requirement for major advancements in technology that can
effectively reduce engine noise, considering the amount of air traffic.
Governmental authorities should also be strict in ensuring that airports are
operated far away from residential and ecologically sensitive areas.
5) General control measures of noise pollution? (6 or 7 mark)
The following measures can help effectively control noise pollution.
I. An improvement in the design of machines to make them quieter but with
the same work efficiency.
II. Regularly carrying out a maintenance check of machines.
III. The construction of soundproof chambers around noisy machines.
IV. Wherever applicable, a sound absorber can cover the noise-producing
part of a machine.
V. The designation of silent zones around schools, residential areas, and
hospitals.
VI. Ensuring that bus and railway terminals, airports, industries are
constructed on lands that are situated away from residential and forested
areas.
VII. Filling the windows in upcoming buildings with triple glass panes and
material that absorbs outdoor sound can reduce the noise.
VIII. Creating a green barrier by planting trees around the noise source can
significantly attenuate noise.
IX. White noise can be generated to mask loud background noise. People
usually use white noise to help them fall asleep.
X. There should be strict legislative rules that prevent noise after or before a
specific time. For example, in some areas, loudspeakers and amplifiers
are banned after 10 pm.
6) Explain Auditory and Non-Auditory effect?
Introduction
Noise exposure can cause two kinds of health effects. These effects are non-
auditory effects and auditory effects. Non-auditory effects include stress, related
physiological and behavioural effects, and safety concerns. Auditory effects
include hearing impairment resulting from excessive noise exposure. Noise-
induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the main concern related to occupational noise
exposure.
Auditory effect:
The main auditory effects include:
Acoustic trauma: Sudden hearing damage caused by short burst of extremely
loud noise such as a gun shot.
Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in the ear.
Temporary hearing loss: Also known as temporary threshold shift (TTS) which
occurs immediately after exposure to a high level of noise. There is gradual
recovery when the affected person spends time in a quiet place. Complete
recovery may take several hours or days (up to 48 hours).
Permanent hearing loss: Permanent hearing loss, also known as permanent
threshold shift (PTS), usually progresses constantly as noise exposure continues
month after month and year after year. Most individuals do not notice the
impairment at first. The hearing impairment is noticeable only when it is
substantial enough to interfere with routine activities. At this stage, permanent
and irreversible hearing damage has occurred. Noise-induced hearing damage
cannot be cured by medical treatment and worsens as the noise exposure
continues.
When the noise exposure stops, the person does not regain the lost hearing
sensitivity. As the employee ages, hearing may worsen as "age-related hearing
loss" adds to the existing noise-induced hearing loss.
Permanent hearing loss can also occur from a single traumatic event.
Non-auditory effects:
Hearing loss from long term exposure to noise has been recognized as a hazard
for a long time. Reported non-auditory effects of noise include increased stress,
cardiovascular function (hypertension, changes to blood pressure and/or heart
rate), annoyance, sleeping problems, and mental health. This wide range of
effects has led researchers to believe that noise can act as a general, non-specific
stressor.
The non-auditory response to noise may depend on the characteristics of the
sound including intensity, frequency, predictability, the complexity of sound,
duration (length of exposure), and the meaning of the noise.
Types of non-auditory effects:
Non-auditory effects can be divided into two categories
I. physiological effects
II. performance effects.
physiological effects:
The physiological effects can be temporary or permanent. Examples of
temporary physiological effects are:
• The startling response to loud noise, where muscles burst into activities,
generally, with the intention to protect.
• The muscle tension response, where muscles tend to contract in the
presence of loud noise.
• The respiratory reflexes, where the respiratory rhythm tends to change
when noise is present.
• Changes in the heartbeat pattern.
• Changes in the diameter of the blood vessels, particularly in the skin.
performance effects.
Noise can interfere with verbal communications and can be stressful, distracting
and annoying. Below are some examples of how these factors can affect work
performance.
Speech intelligibility
Speech intelligibility is the ability to understand spoken words. Surrounding or
background noise makes difficult to understand what other people are saying
during face to face or telephone conversations. The noise also prevents
individuals from hearing work instructions and warning/danger signals.
7) Explain briefly noise menace?
Noise pollution is one of the gravest yet least recognized health threats of our
time. Even moderate levels of noise – the kind that surrounds us in any urban
environment – increase risks of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment,
developmental delays and dementia. Now, scientists are revealing that non-
humans, too, suffer from noise pollution – and that they are far more sensitive
than humans.
Aquatic:
Perhaps nowhere is this more urgent than in the global oceans. Marine animals
see and sense the world through sound, which travels farther underwater than
light. Whales – which use sound to find prey and navigate, communicate and
mate – are one well-known example. But scientists are now revealing that a vast
range of marine creatures are exquisitely sensitive to sound. The range of
negative effects caused by marine noise pollution is staggering: delayed
development, hampered reproduction, stunted growth, distorted migration paths.
Extreme noise can kill outright. A single shot from a seismic survey air-gun can
kill zooplankton – the foundation of the marine food chain – up to a mile away
from the detonation site. Motorboat engine noise has been found to affect fish
embryos. As one study grimly noted: human noise may even be scrambling the
eggs of baby fish.
8) Explain briefly about control of transmission in noise pollution?
Noise Control At the Transmission Path:
Lengthening of Transmission Paths: It is obvious, but not always practicable,
to locate noisy equipment away from humans.
In an outdoor environment, increasing the distance between the source and
receiver reduces noise by 6 dB for every doubling of distance.
Indoors, when reflections from room surfaces decrease the effects of distance,
the reduction is usually less.
It's better to keep loud sources and locations away from sensitive areas, whether
outside or inside.
Green Muffler: Green Muffler is a technique for reducing noise pollution at the
source that involves planting 4-6 rows of trees around populous regions or noisy
places such as roadsides, industrial zones, communities near highways, and so
on, so that dense trees filter out the noise and prevent it from reaching the
people.
Vibration Isolation: Vibration isolation is a popular method of eliminating or
suppressing undesirable vibrations in structures and devices.
The equipment or system of interest is separated from the source of vibration
using this technique, which involves inserting a resilient part or isolator.
Other Measures: Separating noise sources from noise sensitive uses is an
obvious strategy to reduce noise.
However, in a compact and high-rise metropolis, relying solely on distance
attenuation to reduce noise, as in the case of road traffic noise, is generally
impractical.
Additional Noise Attenuation: Additional noise attenuation is frequently used,
which can be achieved through natural landscape screening (such as earth
bunds), noise-tolerant structures (such as car parking, commercial blocks, or
acoustic-insulated office buildings), deliberately designed podium decking,
noise barriers, or enclosures.
Proper Land Use Planning: Proper land use planning to avoid busy highways
cutting through residential projects or coming too close to sensitive uses;
situating noise-tolerant uses to screen noise-sensitive developments;
Alternative Modes of Transportation: Alternative modes of transportation,
such as railways, pedestrian bridges, bicycle paths, and underground roadways,
can all be considered early in the planning process to avoid or reduce noise.
Noise Control At the Receiver End:
Construction of Houses: The influence of noise on the receiver can be
decreased by placing noise-sensitive usage such as the construction of bedrooms
away from noise sources.
Usage of Superior Glasses: While superior glass can reduce noise, its use in
residential buildings effectively denies the recipient of an "open-window"
lifestyle and necessitates the supply of air conditioning due to Hong Kong's hot
and humid climate.As a result, it is frequently employed only as a last option.
Earplug: Loud noises can be reduced to a reasonable level with the use of
earplugs or earmuffs.
• Earplugs are little inserts that are inserted into the ear canal. Earmuffs
cover the entire outer ear, forming an air seal that protects the ears from
harsh noises.
• The majority of disposable earplugs are elastic memory foam cylinders
that are rolled into a tight cylinder and then put into the ear canal.
• When the earplug is removed, it expands until it plugs the canal,
preventing sound waves from reaching the eardrum.
EAR PLUG
Non-Jarring Horns: Blowing pressure horns is not only illegal, but it also
creates a great deal of annoyance. Non-Jarring horns are designed to reduce the
threat of noise pollution created by the use of pressure horns in buses and
trucks. Vehicles can be equipped with these horns to lessen the noise of
continuous traffic hoots.
Noise-cancelling Headphones: Noise-cancelling headphones, also known as
active noise-cancelling headphones, analyse ambient sound and seek to generate
the "opposite" sound via electronic processing. Noise-cancelling headphones
listen to the environment and block out undesirable noise before it reaches the
ears.
When the soundwaves meet, little microphones in the ear cups or earbuds listen
to the outside noise frequencies and emit the exact opposite signal, essentially
cancelling out both sets of noises.
*THE END*
