Noise pollution 1

Noise Pollution
One of the most undesirable side effects of improperly planned industrialization is the pollution
of our environment and consequent degradation of the quality of life. Noise pollution is a
significant environmental problem in many rapidly urbanizing areas. This problem is properly
not recognized despite the fact that it is steadily growing. It is well established now that noise is
a potential hazard to health, communication and enjoyment of social life. It is becoming an
unjustifiable interference and imposition upon human comfort and health.

Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal, or machine-created environmental noise

that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor noise
worldwide is mainly construction and transportation systems, including motor vehicle noise,
aircraft noise, and rail noise. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-
side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential area.

Definition

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 115 dB is tolerant. The industrial limit of sound in the industries must be 75 dB according to
the World Health Organization.

Noise pollution is a type of energy pollution in which distracting, irritating, or damaging sounds
are freely audible. As with other forms of energy pollution (such as heat and light pollution),
noise pollution contaminants are not physical particles, but rather waves that interfere with
naturally-occurring waves of a similar type in the same environment.

The prevailing source of artificial noise pollution is from transportation. In rural areas, train and
airplane noise can disturb wildlife habits, thereby affecting the manner in which animals in areas
around train tracks and airports hunt and mate. In urban areas, automobile, motorcycle, and even
entertainment noise can cause sleep disruption in humans and animals, hearing loss, heart disease
(as a result of stress), and in severe cases even mental instability.

Impacts of noise
Noise pollution is an interfering air-pollutant which possesses both auditory and a host of non-
auditory effects on the exposed population. Since there is no medicine to cure hearing loss
prevention to overt exposure is the only alternative left. Often neglected, noise induces a severe
impact on humans and on living organisms. Some of the adverse effects are summarised below.
·Annoyance: It creates annoyance to the receptors due to sound level fluctuations. The periodic
sound due to its irregular occurrences causes displeasure to hearing and causes annoyance.
· Physiological effects: The physiological features like breathing amplitude, blood pressure,
heart-beat rate, pulse rate, blood cholesterol are effected.
· Loss of hearing: Long exposure to high sound levels cause loss of hearing. This is mostly
unnoticed, but has an adverse impact on hearing function.

T Paul Lazarus, Asst. Professor (SS), Dept. of Agril. Economics, College of Agriculture, KAU, Vellayani –
695 522, Thiruvananthapuram
 Noise pollution 2

· Human performance: The working performance of workers/human will be affected as they'll

be losing their concentration.
· Nervous system: It causes pain, ringing in the ears, feeling of tiredness, thereby effecting the
functioning of human system.
· Sleeplessness: It affects the sleeping there by inducing the people to become restless and loose
concentration and presence of mind during their activities
· Damage to material : The buildings and materials may get damaged by exposure to
infrasonic / ultrasonic waves and even get collapsed.
Noise Sampling
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published several code books for sampling and analysis of
noise pollution and guidelines for control of noise pollution from domestic and industrial
sources. The reader is advised to refer to the BIS code books (table 3) for a better understanding
of methods of noise sampling. For sampling of noise levels from industrial sources, noise levels
in the different octave bands are measured by a sound level meter in conjunction with octave -
band filters at the workers ear level or at about a distance of one meter from the source of noise.

Control of Noise Pollution

Noise generation is associated with most of our daily activities. A healthy human ear responds to
a very wide range of SPL from - the threshold of hearing at zero dB, uncomfortable at 100-120
dB and painful at 130-140 dB(3). Due to the various adverse impacts of noise on humans and
environment, noise should be controlled. The technique or the combination of techniques to be
employed for noise control depend upon the extent of the noise reduction required, nature of the
equipment used and the economy aspects of the available techniques.

The various steps involved in the noise management strategy is illustrated.

Reduction in the noise exposure time or isolation of species from the sources form part of the
noise control techniques besides providing personal ear protection, engineered control for noise
reduction at source and/or diversion in the trajectory of sound waves. The techniques employed
for noise control can be broadly classified as

 Control at source
 Control in the transmission path
 Using protective equipment.

Noise Control at Source

The noise pollution can be controlled at the source of generation itself by employing techniques
like-
· Reducing the noise levels from domestic sectors: The domestic noise coming from radio,
tape recorders, television sets, mixers, washing machines, cooking operations can be minimised
by their selective and judicious operation. By usage of carpets or any absorbing material, the
noise generated from felling of items in house can be minimised.
· Maintenance of automobiles: Regular servicing and tuning of vehicles will reduce the noise
levels. Fixing of silencers to automobiles, two wheelers etc., will reduce the noise levels. ·
Control over vibrations: The vibrations of materials may be controlled using proper
foundations, rubber padding etc. to reduce the noise levels caused by vibrations.
T Paul Lazarus, Asst. Professor (SS), Dept. of Agril. Economics, College of Agriculture, KAU, Vellayani –
695 522, Thiruvananthapuram
 Noise pollution 3

· Low voice speaking: Speaking at low voices enough for communication reduces the excess
noise levels.
· Prohibition on usage of loud speakers: By not permitting the usage of loudspeakers in the
habitant zones except for important meetings / functions. Now-a-days, the urban Administration
of the metro cities in India, is becoming stringent on usage of loudspeakers.
· Selection of machinery: Optimum selection of machinery tools or equipment reduces excess
noise levels. For example selection of chairs, or selection of certain machinery/equipment which
generate less noise (Sound) due to its superior technology etc. is also an important factor in noise
minimisation strategy.
· Maintenance of machines: Proper lubrication and maintenance of machines, vehicles etc. will
reduce noise levels. Similarly is the case of machines. Proper handling and regular maintenance
is essential not only for noise control but also to improve the life of machine.

Control in the transmission path

Installation of barriers: Installation of barriers between noise source and receiver can attenuate
the noise levels.
Design of building: The design of the building incorporating the use of suitable noise absorbing
material for wall/door/window/ceiling will reduce the noise levels.
Installation of panels or enclosures: A sound source may be enclosed within a paneled
structure such as room as a means of reducing the noise levels at the receiver.

· Green belt development: Green belt development can attenuate the sound levels. The degree
of attenuation varies with species of greenbelt. The typical attenuation of noise levels by shrubs
and trees is presented at Fig. 7 (a) and (b).The statutory regulations direct the industry to develop
greenbelt four times the built-up area for attenuation of various atmospheric pollutants, including
noise.
Using protection equipment
Protective equipment usage is the ultimate step in noise control technology, i.e. after noise
reduction at source and/or after the diversion or engineered control of transmission path of noise.
The first step in the technique of using protective equipment is to gauge the intensity of the
problem, identification of the sufferer and his exposure to the noise levels. For the usage of
protective equipment and the worker's exposure to the high noise levels can be minimised by -
· Job rotation: By rotating the job between the workers working at a particular noise source or
isolating a person, the adverse impacts can be reduced.
· Exposure reduction: Regulations prescribe that, noise level of 90 dB (A) for more than 8 hr
continuous exposure is prohibited. Persons who are working under such conditions will be
exposed to occupational health hazards. The schedule of the workers should be planned in such a
way that, they should not be over exposed to the high noise levels.
· Hearing protection: Equipment like earmuffs, ear plugs etc. are the commonly used devices
for hearing protection.

T Paul Lazarus, Asst. Professor (SS), Dept. of Agril. Economics, College of Agriculture, KAU, Vellayani –
695 522, Thiruvananthapuram
 Noise pollution 4

Table 3 Selected BIS code books on noise pollution

BIS Code Description

IS-4954-1968 Noise abatement in town planning recommendations

IS-3098-1980 Noise emitted by moving road vehicles, measurement
IS-10399-1982 Noise emitted by stationary road vehicles, methods of measurement of
IS-6098-1971 Air borne noise emitted by rotating electrical machinery, method of
measurement of
IS-4758-1968 Noise emitted by machines, methods of measurements of
IS-3483-1965 Noise reduction in industrial buildings, code of practice for
IS-1950-1962 Sound insulation of non-industrial buildings, code of practice for
IS-9167-1979 Ear protectors

Regulatory guidelines
Statutory Regulatory guidelines were prescribed both for the ambient noise levels (Table 7) and
for workspace environment noise levels (table 8). Factories Act, 1948 prescribes the protection
of workers against high noise levels (noise level > 90 dB (A)). The State Pollution Control Board
and Inspector of Factories have powers to administer the control of noise pollution.
No exposure in excess of 115 dB(A) is permitted.

T Paul Lazarus, Asst. Professor (SS), Dept. of Agril. Economics, College of Agriculture, KAU, Vellayani –
695 522, Thiruvananthapuram