Definition:

 - Noise can be described as an unwanted or

undesired sound.
 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.
 Thus noise can be taken as a group of non
harmonious sounds or vibrations that are
unpleasant and irritating to ear.
 What is Noise ?

 Noise waves have

frequency and amplitude
 Noise is created when an object
vibrates
 Frequency is measure of
waves/sec
Amplitude is the height of
 Air is compressed and expanded
wave from trough
forming waves
 Excessive noise can be
 These varying pressure waves travel
damaging
outward from source in all directions


Classification of Noise

 Air Borne  Vehicular Noise

 Structure Borne Noise  Engine
 Crank case
 Horne
 Tyre friction
 Low Frequency  Industrial Noise
 High frequency  Indoor Noise
Elements of sound

 A noise problem generally consists of three

inter-related elements-
 source,
 receiver
 transmission path. ( Medium)
 Propagation of sound in Air.
 Sound waves in air propagate as compression
and rarefactions.
 They may be emanating from a plane source,
point source or a line source.
 The intensity of sound is inversely proportional to
the square of the distance in case of a point
source. while it is inversely proportional to the
distance from the source in case of a line source.
 In addition to the reduction in intensity by
distance, there are many other factors, which can
significantly affect the propagation of sound in a
medium like the atmospheric air, Wind velocity
and temperature gradients in the atmosphere.
NOISE CHARACTERIZATION

 Noise may be
 continuous or intermittent.

 of high frequency or of low frequency which is

undesired for a normal hearing.
Differentiation between sound and noise

 Depends upon the habit and interest of the

person/species,
 The ambient conditions
 Impact of the sound
Noise measurement

 The intensity of sound is measured in sound

pressure levels (SPL) and common unit of
measurement is decibel, dB
 Desi Bel= 10 log(I1/I0) 2
 Where I1= Sound to be measured
 I0 = Reference Sound or minimum pressure
that can be detected by normal human ear
which is 0.00002 N/m2 or 0.0002 microbar
Addition of Sound levels
Difference Between levels in dB No. of dB to be added to higher
level
0 3.0
1 2.6
2 2.1
3 1.8
4 1.5
5 1.2
6 1.0
7 0.8
8 0.6
10 0.4
12 0.3
14 0.2
16 0.1
Sources of Noise Pollution
 Industrial
 Non- industrial source of noise (Domestic,
transportation)
Noise pollution can also be divided in the categories
 natural

 manmade.
Noise levels of some Noisy sources:-
SR.NO Noise sources / Areas Noise Level dB (A)
1 Loud speakers 100-120
2 Inside small shop 55
3 Radio music 55-60
4 Computer rooms 55-60
5 Loud conversation 60
6 Typing institute 60
7 Office noise 65
8 Class room teaching 55-60
9 House generators 70-80
10 Medium road traffic 70-80
11 Freight train at(25-40 kmph) 77
12 Printing press 80
SR.NO Noise sources / Areas Noise Level dB (A)
13 Inside concert halls during 85
performance
14 High volume air sampler 80-85
15 Heavy road traffic (highways) 80-90
16 Inside jet aircraft 85
17 Sports car 80-95
18 Inside cinema theatre 85-95
19 Buses and tucks 85-95
20 Freight trains(65 km/h) 96
21 Marriages 80-100
22 Namaaz 90-105
23 Concrete mixer 90-105
24 Rail engine 97-105
25 Pneumatic drill 110
26 Thunder storm 110
Effects of Noise Pollution
 Physiological
 Psychological
 Annoyance
 Auditory system
Physiological Effects:-
 Short term effects include  Long term
 changes in breathing amplitude, effects include
 rate of saliva and gastric secretion,  increased
 blood pressure,
cardiac oxygen
 heart beat rate
 pulse rate,
demand,
 dilation of the eye pupil  increased blood
 varying gastro- intestinal problems.. cholesterol etc
 150 dB causes heat rashes in fingers,
thighs, collar
Auditory system
 Temporary threshold shift NITTS
 Permanent threshold shift NIPTS
 Acoustical trauma
Acoustic trauma
It is the condition of sudden permanent aural
damage resulting from an instance short term
exposure, which may be a single exposure.
 This sound is capable of rupturing the eardrum
that results in some degree of permanent
hearing loss.
 However when only the ear drum is damaged
without any damage to inner and middle ear the
ear drums heals with time and full hearing is
usually restored
Annoyance & Masking
 Annoyance is an unpleasant mental state
that is characterized by such effects as
irritation and distraction from one's conscious
thinking. It can lead to emotions such as
frustration and anger
 Masking – It is the process by which the
threshold of audibility for one sound is raised
by the presence of another sound. It is
serious problem in industries & mining where
warning signals are masked by noise.
Effects of noise on Nervous system
 The presence of noise takes away the essence of
music and speech.
 Exposure to noise tells upon the health. Very loud
noise of 150 dB can cause a rash under the collar,
in between the fingers and the thighs.
 Ear drums may get ruptured. 130-135 dB causes
dizziness & vomiting
 Exposure to over 100 dB for a few hours lessens
efficiency and makes one more prone to
accidents. It makes one aggressive and
quarrelsome.
 Even in those who are sleeping, exposure to loud
noise causes a disturbances in their brain waves.
Effects on Nervous system
 It can lead to irregular or faster pulse beats,
enlarged hearts and increase in blood
cholesterol.
 It causes mental fatigue, irritability and
precipitates or aggravates mental tension
and neurosis ( malfunctioning of brain).
 Prolonged exposure to noise results in
temporary deafness or nervous
breakdowns.
Noise Standards and Limits
Acceptable Noise Levels, as per IS 4954-1968

Acceptable outdoor noise in Acceptable indoor noise levels

Residential areas For various types of buildings.
SR. Location Noise Level SR. Location
Noise Level
NO. dB(A) NO.
dB(A)
1 Rural 25-35 1 Radio & TV studio
25-30
2 Suburban 30-40 2 Music room
30-35
3 Residential (urban) 40-50 3 Hospitals, class
35-40
room ,auditorium
4 Urban (residential 40-50 4 Apartments, hotels,
35-40
and business) Homes,
conference rooms,
small offices
5 City 45-55 5 Court rooms, private
40-45
offices, libraries.
6 Industrial area 50—60 6 Large public offices,
45-50
banks, stores etc.
7 Restaurants
50-55
Ambient Air quality standards in respect of noise
(Amendment of Environment (protection) act, 1986 (29 of
1986)
Limits in dB (A)

Category of
Area code
Area Day Time Night Time
6 am- 9 pm 9 pm- 6 am

A Industrial area 75 70

B Commercial 65 55
area

C Residential area 55 45

D Silence zone 50 40
Control Of Noise Pollution

The techniques employed for noise control can

be broadly classified as
 Town Planning
 Green belt development
 Design of building
 Control at source
 Control in the transmission path
 Using protective equipment.
Noise Control at Source
 Reducing the noise levels from domestic sectors
 Maintenance of automobiles
 Control over vibrations
 Low voice speaking
 Prohibition on usage of loud speakers
 Selection of machinery
 Maintenance of machines
Controlling noise at Source
 Selection of machinery
 Reducing noise from potential sources like impact
 Reducing transmission of mechanical vibration
 Vibration isolation
 Use of enclosures and barriers
 Acoustical absorption devices to reduce reverberation
 Design of openings in a building
 Planting trees
 Use of Silencers or filters
 Treatment of ceilings floor
Reducing the noise levels from
domestic sectors
 The domestic noise coming from radio, tape
recorders, television sets, mixers, washing
machines, cooking operations can be
minimized 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 minimized.
Automobile noise control
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 of industrial noise
 Reduce impact force of machine parts or use resilient
flooring, acoustical material for cladding
 Reduce speed or pressures of rotating, moving parts
 Reduce frictional resistance between surfaces
 Reduce radiating surfaces
 Reduce noise leakages by using sound proof enclosure to
Machine
 Isolate and dampen vibrating machines
 Use silencers or sound mufflers
 Lining of ducts, pipes
 Providing enough distance between m/c and receiver
 plantations
Control over vibrations

 The vibrations of materials may be controlled

using proper foundations, rubber padding etc.
to reduce the noise levels caused by
vibrations.
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 minimization strategy.
Maintenance of machines
 Proper lubrication and maintenance of machines,
vehicles etc. will reduce noise levels. For example, it
is a common experience that, many parts of a
vehicle will become loose while on a rugged path of
journey. If these loose parts are not properly fitted,
they will generate noise and cause annoyance to
the driver/passenger. 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
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.
 Green belt development .
Using protection equipment

 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. Attenuation provided by ear-muffs
vary widely in respect to their size, shape,
seal material etc. Literature survey shows
that, an average noise attenuation up to 32
dB can be achieved using earmuffs.
Causes of Structure borne noise in
Building
 Light Weight building construction
 Poor acoustical design
 Poor workmanship
 Mechanisation TV AC, Dish Washers,
Washing machines
 High rise buildings and high population
density
 Improper tenants placements
 Increasing desire for privacy
 Inadequate social sence
Sources of Structure borne noise
 Rotation motors, fans, blowers, gear trains.
 (b) Reciprocation; e.g., pumps, agitators, piston engines,
compressors.
 (c) Expansion and contraction; e.g., heating and
plumbing, duct and pipe systems.
 (d) Turbulence; e.g., pressure fluctuations or
disturbances caused by the flow of air or water in
ventilation, heating and plumbing systems.
 (e) Oscillation or pulsation; e.g., loudspeakers, musical
instruments, vibrators.
 (f ) Impaction and Detonation; e.g., door slams, falling
objects, sonic booms, thunder, furnace ignition
Measures to control structure borne
noise
 Selection of Site
 Orientation of Building on Site
 Room and Space Arrangement
 Building Equipments .
 Control of Noise at the Source
 Selection of Sound Insulating Structures
 Supervision
 Pretesting
 Tenant Placement
 Sound Absorption