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ASSIGNMENT 2

TOPIC 4 : NOISE POLLUTION

Definition of noise pollution


Noise pollution criteria
Explain about noise standard, level of noise pollution in the environment

Definition of noise pollution


Noise pollution or noise disturbance is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the
activity or balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly
caused by machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Outdoor
noise is summarized by the word environmental 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 areas.
Indoor noise can be caused by machines, building activities, and music performances, especially
in some workplaces. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by outside (e.g. trains) or inside
(e.g. music) noise.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans and an increased incidence
of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by altering predator
or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and navigation, and contribute to
permanent hearing loss.

Noise pollution criteria


1. Industrialization: Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing large
amount of noise. Apart from that, various equipments like compressors, generators, exhaust fans,
grinding mills also participate in producing big noise. Therefore, you must have seen workers in these
factories and industries wearing ear plugs to minimize the effect of noise.
2. Poor Urban Planning: In most of the developing countries, poor urban planning also play a vital
role. Congested houses, large families sharing small space, fight over parking, frequent fights over
basic amenities leads to noise pollution which may disrupt the environment of society.
3. Social Events: Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties,
pub, disc or place of worship, people normally flout rules set by the local administration and create
nuisance in the area. People play songs on full volume and dance till midnight which makes the
condition of people living nearby pretty worse. In markets, you can see people selling clothes via
making loud noise to attract the attention of people.
4. Transportation: Large number of vehicles on roads, aeroplanes flying over houses, underground
trains produce heavy noise and people get it difficult to get accustomed to that. The high noise leads
to a situation wherein a normal person lose the ability to hear properly.
5. Construction Activities: Under construction activities like mining, construction of bridges, dams,
buildings, stations, roads, flyovers take place in almost every part of the world. These construction
activities take place everyday as we need more buildings, bridges to accommodate more people and
to reduce traffic congestion. The down point is that these construction equipments are too noisy.
6. Household Chores: We people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily
life. Gadgets like TV, mobile , mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners , washing machine
and dryer, cooler, air conditioners are minor contributors to the amount of noise that is produced but it
affects the quality of life of your neighborhood in a bad way.
While this form of pollution may seem harmless, it in fact has far reaching consequences. The
adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife
affected by the pollution, humans also face a number of problems due to it.

Human
Noise pollution affects both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can damage psychological
health. Noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep
disturbances, and other harmful effects.
Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping,
conversation, or disrupts or diminishes ones quality of life.
Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males exposed to
significant occupational noise demonstrate more significantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their
non-exposed peers, though differences in hearing sensitivity decrease with time and the two groups
are indistinguishable by age 79. A comparison of Maaban tribesmen, who were insignificantly
exposed to transportation or industrial noise, to a typical U.S. population showed that chronic
exposure to moderately high levels of environmental noise contributes to hearing loss.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to moderately high levels
during a single eight-hour period causes a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to ten points and an
increase in stress, and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressure noted above, as well
as to increased incidence of coronary artery disease.

Wildlife
Noise can have a detrimental effect on wild animals, increasing the risk of death by changing the
delicate balance in predator or prey detection and avoidance, and interfering the use of the sounds in
communication, especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can
lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.
An impact of noise on wild animal life is the reduction of usable habitat that noisy areas may cause,
which in the case of endangered species may be part of the path to extinction. Noise pollution may
have caused the death of certain species of whales that beached themselves after being exposed to
the loud sound of military sonar, (see also Marine mammals and sonar).
Noise also makes species communicate more loudly, which is called Lombard vocal response.
Scientists and researchers have conducted experiments that show whales' song length is longer
when submarine-detectors are on. If creatures do not "speak" loudly enough, their voice will
be masked by anthropogenic sounds. These unheard voices might be warnings, finding of prey, or
preparations of net-bubbling. When one species begins speaking more loudly, it will mask other
species' voice, causing the whole ecosystem eventually to speak more loudly.
Marine invertebrates, such as crabs (Carcinus maenas), have also been shown to be impacted by
ship noise. Larger crabs were noted to be impacted more by the sounds than smaller crabs. Repeated
exposure to the sounds did lead to acclimatization.
European robins living in urban environments are more likely to sing at night in places with high levels
of noise pollution during the day, suggesting that they sing at night because it is quieter, and their
message can propagate through the environment more clearly. The same study showed that daytime
noise was a stronger predictor of nocturnal singing than night-time light pollution, to which the
phenomenon often is attributed.
Zebra finches become less faithful to their partners when exposed to traffic noise. This could alter a
population's evolutionary trajectory by selecting traits, sapping resources normally devoted to other
activities and thus leading to profound genetic and evolutionary consequences.

Noise mitigation
Roadway noise can be reduced by the use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds,
alteration of roadway surface texture, limitation of heavy vehicles, use of traffic controls that
smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and acceleration, and tire design. An important factor in
applying these strategies is a computer model for roadway noise, that is capable of addressing
local topography, meteorology, traffic operations, and hypothetical mitigation. Costs of building-in
mitigation can be modest, provided these solutions are sought in the planning stage of a
roadway project.
Aircraft noise can be reduced by using quieter jet engines. Altering flight paths and time of day
runway has benefitted residents near airports.
Industrial noise has been addressed since the 1930s via redesign of industrial equipment, shock
mounted assemblies and physical barriers in the workplace. In recent years, Buy Quiet programs
and initiatives have arisen in an effort to combat occupational noise exposures. These programs
promote the purchase of quieter tools and equipment and encourage manufacturers to design
quieter equipment. The National Institute for Occupational Health has created a database of
industrial equipment with decibel levels noted.

Explain about noise standard, level of noise pollution in


the environment
Noise is measured in units of sound pressure levels called decibels, named after
Alexander Graham Bell, using A-weighted sound levels (dBA). The A-weighted sound
levels closely match the perception of loudness by the human ear. Decibels are
measured on a logarithmic scale which means that a small change in the number of
decibels results in a huge change in the amount of noise and the potential damage to a
person's hearing.
OSHA sets legal limits on noise exposure in the workplace. These limits are based on a
worker's time weighted average over an 8 hour day. With noise, OSHA's permissible
exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dBA for all workers for an 8 hour day. The OSHA standard uses
a 5 dBA exchange rate. This means that when the noise level is increased by 5 dBA, the
amount of time a person can be exposed to a certain noise level to receive the same
dose is cut in half.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that
all worker exposures to noise should be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 dBA for
eight hours to minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss. NIOSH has found that
significant noise-induced hearing loss occurs at the exposure levels equivalent to the
OSHA PEL based on updated information obtained from literature reviews. NIOSH also
recommends a 3 dBA exchange rate so that every increase by 3 dBA doubles the amount
of the noise and halves the recommended amount of exposure time.
Here's an example: OSHA allows 8 hours of exposure to 90 dBA but only 2 hours of
exposure to 100 dBA sound levels. NIOSH would recommend limiting the 8 hour
exposure to less than 85 dBA. At 100 dBA, NIOSH recommends less than 15 minutes of
exposure per day.
In 1981, OSHA implemented new requirements to protect all workers in general industry
(e.g. the manufacturing and the service sectors) for employers to implement a Hearing
Conservation Program where workers are exposed to a time weighted average
noise level of 85 dBA or higher over an 8 hour work shift. Hearing Conservation
Programs require employers to measure noise levels, provide free annual hearing exams
and free hearing protection, provide training, and conduct evaluations of the adequacy of
the hearing protectors in use unless changes to tools, equipment and schedules are
made so that they are less noisy and worker exposure to noise is less than the 85 dBA.

What is environmental noise?


Simply stated, environmental noise relates to the summary of ambient sound
that people perceive as unwanted. It includes noise from traffic, construction,
industrial and even some recreational activities. What makes sound unwanted
depends on environmental factors (e.g., urban versus rural) and time of day.
Generally speaking, sound becomes unwanted when it interferes with normal
activities such as sleeping, conversation, or diminishes quality of life (see table
below for examples of noise impacts).
EPA guideline
values (1974)
and OSHA
Occupational
Noise
Exposure
Limits

Examples of
noise levels
measured near
oil and gas sites

40-50

Disturbance
of sleep
patterns
( sleep
quality)

45 dBA annual
24 hour average
for no
interference
with indoor
activities

New York (2011) 44


to 68 dBA during
drilling at 2502,000 feet

50-60

Disturbance
of sleep
patterns
( awakening
and mood
impacts)

West Virginia
(2013) one-hour
55 dBA annual
noise
24 hour average
measurements at
for no activity
several of 7 well
interference
pads exceeded 55
outdoors
dB annual 24 hour
average

60-70

Impacts on
school
performance

Noise Source

Decib
el
level
(dBA)
*

Impact

Breathing

10

Barely audible

20

About twice
as loud as 10
dBA

28-33

About 4 times
as loud as 10
dBA

Whisper;
Rustling leaves

Quiet room

Lowest limit of
urban ambient
sound; Typical
living room;
Forced hot air
heating system

Quiet suburb;
Clothes dryer;
Printer

Conversation in
a restaurant;
Window Fan on
High

Vacuum cleaner 70-80

Ischemic

New York (2011) 52


to 75 dBA during
well pad
construction
70 dBA annual

Fort Worth (2006)

24-hour average
lifetime
71-79 dBA drilling
heart disease,
exposure above noise at 200 feet
hypertension
which hearing
from well
loss may occur

Freight train at
50 feet;
Propeller plane
at 1000 feet;
Food blender

Power mower;
Boeing 737 at
6000 feet

Chain saw

80-90

Hearing
damage
possible if
exposed for 8
hours or more

90 dbA
permissible
noise exposure
limit for a
maximum of 8
hrs per day
(OSHA)

Fort Worth (2006)


102 dBA rig
generator at 10
feet; New York
(2011) up to 102
dBA during fracking
at 50-500 feet

Hearing loss
90-100 at sustained
exposure

120

Pain

New York (2011) 72


to 90 dBA during
fracking at 2502,000 feet

115 dBA
permissible
noise exposure
limit for a
maximum of 15
min per day
(OSHA)

*dBA: decibel A-weighted. A-weighting is applied to instrument-measured sound


levels in effort to account for the relative loudness perceived by the human ear,
as the ear is less sensitive to low audio frequencies. Sources: West Virginia
Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Quality, Air, Noise, and
Light Monitoring Results For Assessing Environmental Impacts of Horizontal Gas
Well Drilling Operations (ETD10 Project), prepared by Michael McCawley for the
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, May 3, 2013. Galen Carol
Audio, Decibel (Loudness) Comparison
Chart, www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html (accessed October 6,
2014); WHO, Noise Data and Statistics, www.euro.who.int/en/healthtopics/environment-and-health/noise/data-and-statistics (accessed October 22,
2014); Public Health Madison & Dane County, Potential Health Effects of Noise
Exposure, June, 7, 2013.

HOW TO PREVENT NOISE POLLUTION

Method 1 of 3: Keeping Your Home Noise-Free


1.
Sound-proof your space. When you can't stop the noise at it's source, you can do
your best to keep it out. Sound-proofing your home will help you rest easier at
night and keep your home quieter during the day as well. If you can't soundproof your entire home, you might want to invest in sound-proofing your
bedroom, so you'll have at least one respite from the noise when you just can't
take it anymore.

If you don't want to reconstruct your walls and floors with sound-proof
building materials, consider the less expensive option of installing
carpeting and wall coverings that soften and absorb sounds.

Acoustic foam panels are a cheap, easy-to-install option when you want to
quickly soundproof a room. For an even easier solution, try hanging
blankets on the walls or installing extra bookcases filled with books.

2.
Keep noisy machines away from your bedroom and living areas. Situate your
home so that your bed isn't right next to your noisy furnace or air conditioning
unit. If there are any other sources of constant noise, try to locate them far away
from your sleeping and living areas so you can have some peace and quiet.
You might also want to consider using these machines less to give yourself a
break from the noise. Turn off your air conditioner and open the windows, even if
it means being a little hotter than normal. You might find the less noisy
atmosphere more relaxing than a cooled-down room.

3.
Spend time away from noise. Sometimes it's simply impossible to truly get away
from the noise. If you live on a busy street with lots of traffic, you know there's
never really a respite from traffic sounds, sirens and honking horns. Getting away
from it all is a good way to restore your emotional balance. Go to a quiet spot
that's as free of sound as possible. Stay there and enjoy the silence for a few
hours, until you feel renewed and ready to reenter the noise of daily life.
See if you can go for a walk in a quiet natural spot away from busy roads.
If you can't make it to a quiet outdoor space, try sitting in a library for a few
hours. The librarians will make sure it stays nice and quiet.
Mosques are also good places to find some peace and quiet.

4.
Learn to meditate. With more and more rural areas being developed, noisy
engines and construction sounds aren't going away any time soon. Learning how
to meditate can help you deal with noise and destress without needing to drop
everything and leave.

When you're feeling overwhelmed, sit very still, close your eyes and focus
on taking deep, even breaths. Do 10 breaths and try to let your worries go
and ignore the noise around you. No matter where you are, whether it's on
a noisy subway car or in your own kitchen, you can try this technique to
calm yourself down.

5.
Use earplugs and noise-canceling headphones. These inventions help millions of
people deal with everyday noise. Earplugs are a cheap drugstore purchase that
buys you hours of sleep, once you get used to falling asleep with them in your
ears. Noise-canceling headphones are a bit more expensive, but if getting peace
and quiet is at the top of your priority list, they're probably worth the splurge.

Method 2 of 3: Dealing with Noise You Can't Control


1.
Understand what causes noise pollution. As urban development stretches into
rural areas, the noise level increases. Construction sites, airports, train stations,
and highways are all sources of loud noises that grate on the ears. If you know
the sources of noise pollution in your area, you can do your best to avoid them or
find ways to mitigate their negative effect.

When you're choosing a place to live, see if the residence is in a flight path
or near a busy highway. During the day the sounds might not bother you,
but at night they might prevent you from sleeping.

2.
Check into the noise pollution laws in your area. Most urban communities have
rules to prevent noise pollution from getting out of control. For example, there
are laws dictating during which hours a construction site may actively use
machinery, and when they need to stay quiet. As a community member, you can
help enforce the laws if you know what they are.

Check with your state's department of energy and environmental affairs to


find out which regulations are in effect in your area. You'll find information
about how loud noise is allowed to get, and when machines are supposed
to remain silent.
If you feel the regulations are being violated, don't hesitate to file a
complaint. If it's affecting other members of your community, organize a
group complaint, which will be even more effective.

3.
Make sure community spaces are following the rules. Another source of noise
comes from community spaces like stadiums, concert venues and other outdoor
areas with speaker systems. Even a neighborhood bar that holds concerts can
produce enough noise to drive you crazy. If you live near a community space that
seems to be making noise all night long, or is producing noise that seems louder
than necessary, see if they're in violation of local laws and file a complaint if
necessary.

For example, if a new concert space opens up on your block and creates
noise late into the night, you're entitled to finding out whether the place is
operating according to local law. The people in charge of the space might
not be aware of the laws, so don't just assume they know what they're
doing. Find out more and see if you can make a difference.

4.
Speak up about banning noisy motors near your home. Car and motorcycle
engines as well as lawnmowers and other motor-powered vehicles can really
raise the noise level in any given area. If you live in the middle of the city, there
won't be much you can do about it, but in a smaller community you may be able
to have a say as to who gets to use motors in your area, and when.

Talk with your city council member to see what you can do to have noisy
motors banned after a certain time at night.
In smaller communities, you could also just get together with your
neighbors and agree not to use lawnmowers and other noisy motors
during certain hours, for the benefit of the whole neighborhood.

5.
Get involved in a community tree-planting project.[6] Communities with more
trees are quieter than those without them, since large, leafy trees can help
absorb noise. If you live in an area with a dearth of big trees, planting more along
city streets, and between residences and noisy highways, would be a good way
to cut back on some of the noise pollution in your area.

See if your city has a tree-planting initiative underway. For example,


Portland, Oregon's group Portland Loves Trees engages community
members to plant more trees around the city. New York City's Million Trees
Project has a similar goal.

Method 3 of 3: Helping Your Community Stay Quiet


1.

Don't use your car horn unnecessarily. Don't be part of the problem by leaning on
your horn every time someone looks at you wrong on the street. Use your horn
only when absolutely necessary, as a way to let someone know that you're
present or warn them when they're about to collide with something. It's good
driving etiquette, and makes life more pleasant for city-dwellers.

2.
Keep your car in good repair. The sound of a car without a muffler chugging down
the street is never welcome, so make sure you're not the one causing noise
pollution in your neighborhood and spring to get your car fixed. Keeping your car
in good, quiet working order will be appreciated by everyone who lives near you.

The same goes for your lawnmower and any other noisy equipment you
might use outdoors.

To have an even greater impact on noise in your area, consider walking or


biking instead of using a car whenever possible.

3.
Keep your music down. It might sound beautiful to you, but respect the fact that
others might not feel the same way. Your music shouldn't be noticeable outside
your own home. If you know that the neighbors don't mind, feel free to keep your
windows open and let them enjoy your musical taste, but don't just assume that
everyone wants to hear your favorite opera as much as you do.

If you play a noisy instrument or are in a band, make sure to practice


during reasonable hours.
If you're having a party and planning to play loud music, let your
neighbors know beforehand so you can avoid conflict.

4.
Respect quiet hours at night. Whether the rule is unspoken or prominently
published, make sure you don't make noise after hours. Don't put your neighbors
in the position of having to ask you to be quiet, since it's awkward and makes for
unfriendly relations. Do your best to be a good neighbor so you can expect the
same from those around you.
This is especially important if you live in an apartment building. Don't vacuum or
do housework late at night, since they'll be able to hear you walking around.

Conclusions and Recommendations


As a society, our history is filled with failures to recognize the agents that
cause disease; once the causes have been recognized, we have responded
reluctantly, slowly, and often inadequately. The case with tobacco is an
instructive one. It took many years of lobbying by dedicated individuals before
legislators and the general public recognized the links between the hazards of
tobacco smoke and disease; as a result laws were finally enacted and behaviors
changed accordingly.
Despite the evidence about the many medical, social, and economic
effects of noise, as a society, we continue to suffer from the same inertia, the
same reluctance to change ,and the same denial of the obvious that the antitobacco lobby faced a couple of decades ago. This inertia and denial are similar
to those that delayed appropriate action on lead, mercury, and asbestos. Now
we seem unable to make the connection between noise and disease, despite the
evidence, and despite the fact, which we all recognize, that our cities are
becoming increasingly more polluted with noise.
Noise makers and the businesses that support them are as reluctant as
smokers to give up their bad habits. Legislators at all levels should protect us
from noise pollution the same way they protected us from tobacco smoke and
other forms of pollution. It is clear that laws can change behaviors in ways that
benefit society as a whole.
Noise represents an important public health problem that can lead to
hearing loss, sleep disruption, cardiovascular disease, social handicaps, reduced
productivity, impaired teaching and learning, absenteeism, increased drug use,
and accidents. It can impair the ability to enjoy ones property and leisure time
and increases the frequency of antisocial behavior. Noise adversely affects
general health and well-being in the same way as does chronic stress. It
adversely affects future generations by degrading residential, social, and
learning environments with corresponding economic losses. Local control of
noise has not been successful in most places. This points out the need for
improved methods of local control that should include public education,
enlightened legislation, and active enforcement of noise ordinances by local law
enforcement officials. Part of the solution may require federal or state legislation
aimed at supporting local efforts or the restoration of federal funding for the
Office of Noise Abatement and Control.

References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Source: http://parisaramahiti.kar.nic.in/PDF/publications/Noisepolution.pdf
http://www.nonoise.org/library/smj/smj.htm
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-noise-pollution.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pollution

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/tsrebotnjak/i_cant_hear_you_noise_pollut
io.html
6. http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Noise-Pollution

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