Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution

Subject: Environment

Section: Environmental Pollution

Context: According to the UNEP’s Frontiers 2022 Report, the city of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is the second-most noise polluted city globally.

Concept:

• Moradabad has recorded noise pollution of a maximum of 114 decibels (db). The highest noise pollution of 119 db has been recorded in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. At third place is Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, where the noise pollution level has been recorded at 105 db.
• The report identifies 13 noise polluted cities in south Asia. Five of these are in India – Moradabad, Kolkata, Asansol, Jaipur and Delhi.
• The report said, Regular exposure for eight hours a day to 85 decibels of sound can permanently eliminate the ability to hear. Not only that, exposure to relatively low noise pollution for long periods in cities can harm physical and mental health.
• For e.g., long-term exposure to noise pollution in Europe causes 12,000 premature deaths annually, 48,000 new cases of heart disease and 22 million people suffer from irritability.
• A study in Korea showed that a 1 decibel increase in daytime sound increased the risk of cardio (heart) and cerebrovascular (related to blood flow to the brain) diseases by 0.17 to 0.66 per cent.

Noise Pollution:

• Presence of excessive or unwanted sounds in the environment is called noise pollution. Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB).
• Causes:

1. 1. Outdoor: sounds of vehicles, explosions including bursting of crackers, machines, loudspeakers etc.
   2. Indoor: Television and transistor radio at high volumes, some kitchen appliances, desert coolers, air conditioners etc.

• Harms: Lack of sleep, hypertension (high blood pressure), anxiety and many more health disorders. A person who is exposed to a loud sound continuously may get temporary or even permanent impairment of hearing. Besides, it has bad effect on the communication of many animal species living in the area and their ability to hear.
• WHO Standards:
  • As per 1999 guidelines, 55 db is the standard for residential areas, while for traffic and business sectors, the limit was 70 db.
  • Later the limit was set as 53 db in 2018, taking into account health safety.
• Measures to limit Noise pollution:

1. 1. Installing silencing devices in air craft engines, transport vehicles, industrial machines and home appliances.
   2. Conduct noisy operations away from any residential area.
   3. Use of automobile horns should be minimised.
   4. TV and music systems should be run at low volumes.
   5. Trees must be planted along the roads and around buildings to cut down on the sounds reaching the residents.