Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Pollution
(in reference to Environmental Science, M.Sc. Program, TU)
© 2010. All rights reserved. This revised lecture note contains the vital information that is
the property of the instructor and institution. No part of the inside may be reproducible by
the unauthorized recipients in any versions without permission.
Table of Contents Ground Surface Effects _______________ 14
Trees Attenuation ___________________ 14
Topography Effect ___________________ 14
1. Basic Properties of Sound ________ 1 Reflecting Surfaces and Noise Barriers ___ 14
1.7 Sound Pressure & Intensity ________ 7 3.6 Selection of Measurement Positions 20
3.6.1 Outdoor Measurement ___________ 20
1.8 Sound Pressure Level _____________ 7 3.6.2 Measurement around the Building _ 20
1.9 Sound Intensity Level _____________ 7 3.6.3 Measurements inside the Building __ 20
3.6.4 Measurement in Work Environments 20
1.10 Sound Pressure Level, Decibel
Approach ____________________________ 8 3.7 Instrumentation ________________ 20
1.10.1 Sound Addition & Subtraction _______ 9 3.7.1 Audiometry ____________________ 20
1.10.2 Other Units of Sound Pressure ______ 9 3.7.2 Noise Dosimeter ________________ 22
3.7.3 Sound Level Meter ______________ 25
1.11 Psycho - Acoustics (Sound & Human 3.7.4 Octave Band Analyzers ___________ 26
Ear Perception) ______________________ 12
3.8 Instrumental Performance (Effects of
1.12 Relationship between Indoor and
the Environment) _____________________ 27
Outdoor Levels ______________________ 12 3.8.1 Temperature ___________________ 27
2. 3.8.2 Humidity ______________________ 27
Sound Propagation Characteristic _ 12
3.8.3 Atmospheric Pressure ____________ 27
2.1 Geometrical Spreading __________ 13 3.8.4 Wind or Dust ___________________ 27
3.8.5 Magnetic Fields _________________ 28
2.2 Meteorological Parameters & Sound
Propagation _________________________ 13 4. Environmental Noise Sources _____ 28
2.2.1 Attenuation ____________________14 4.1 Transportation Noise ____________ 28
Temperature Effect __________________14 4.1.1 Road Vehicles __________________ 28
Distance Attenuation _________________14 4.1.2 Railway ________________________ 28
4.1.3 Aircraft ________________________28 7.5.1 Related Legislation ______________ 50
5.1 Equivalent Sound Pressure Level, (LAeq, 8.2 Noise - Induced Hearing Effect _____ 55
T) 31
8.3 Sensory Effects _________________ 56
5.2 Day - Night Average Sound Pressure
8.4 Interference with Speech
Level, (Ldn) __________________________ 32
Communication ______________________ 57
5.3 Sound Exposure Level, (SEL)_______ 32
8.5 Sleep Disturbance Effects _________ 59
5.4 Percentile Level, (L) _____________ 34
8.6 Psycho Physiological Effects _______ 59
5.5 Traffic Noise Index ______________ 34
8.7 Mental Health effects ____________ 60
5.6 Noise Pollution Level, (NPL) _______ 35
8.8 Performance Effects _____________ 60
5.7 Airport Noise Measurement ______ 35
8.9 Effects on Residential Behavior and
6. Noise Criteria (NC) Curves _______ 35 Annoyance __________________________ 60
7.2 Transmission Path Control ________ 42 9.2 Criteria for Impulse Noise _________ 62
7.2.1 Acoustic Barriers & Panels _________43 9.2.1 Control of noise exposure in
7.2.2 Mufflers and Silencers ____________45 workplaces. (Policy and guidance documents of
7.2.3 Absorbing Materials and Acoustic the International Labour Organization (ILO)): _ 62
Lining 45 9.2.2 Occupational Exposure Levels reported
7.2.4 Absorber _______________________46 and recommended by I-INCE ______________ 63
7.2.5 Damping _______________________46 9.2.3 Occupational Exposure Levels
7.2.6 Diffusion _______________________46 recommended by NIOSH __________________ 63
7.2.7 Anechoic Chamber _______________47 9.2.4 ACGIH Recommendation _________ 64
In sound, a change of wavelength occurs when atmospheric pressure) is called the sound
the source has a translation motion. pressure variation, whereas the effective
For sound waves propagating in a medium, pressure variation is 0.707. The oscillating
the velocity of the observer and of the source is variations in sound pressure (called the
relative to the medium in which the waves are waveform of the sound) propagate in the
transmitted. The total Doppler effect may form of a sound wave.
therefore result from motion of the source, When the amplitude of the vibrating body
motion of the observer, or motion of the is greatest, its velocity is zero (that is, it
medium. The Doppler Effect is defined as “the has reached its outer limit of displacement
change in frequency of a wave that results and is shortly motionless before returning
from an object‟s changing position relative to in the opposite direction). If the velocity is
an observer” (Gundersen). It states that “when zero, so is the pressure it exerts on the
a sound is played, the precise sound that is medium (e.g. air) around it. Velocity (and
actually heard depends on if you are moving or therefore pressure) is greatest mid-way
not” (Doppler Effect for Sound). This means between the maximum displacement of the
that in order to hear exactly the sound that is vibrating body, and we can graph the
being played, you must stand still and try not resulting relationship between amplitude
to move. The second you move, the sound you and sound pressure in the following way:
hear and the sound that is played will no
longer are the same thing. For the both cases 1.2.1 RMS Nature of Sound
the same change of frequency for the same
speed of motion, provided this small compared Most sounds are not purely sinusoidal (purely
sine wave) vibrations. They vary in both
frequency and magnitude over time. The
RMS sound pressure is applied to quantify
their magnitude over a measurement time T.
The RMS sound pressure is obtained by
squaring the pressure (amplitude) at each
instant in time, summing the squared values
over the measurement time T, dividing by T
and taking the square root of the total, i.e.,
P rms P2
1 T
1
2 2
with the velocity of the waves. P t dt
T 0
1.2 Sound Pressure
When a vibrating body moves in air, it 1.3 Sound Intensity
creates slight disturbances of the ambient The sound intensity is the energy
atmospheric pressure. The amplitude of transmitted per unit time through a unit
these pressure variations (i.e., their area, thereby being a measure of the
maximum displacement from the ambient magnitude of a sound. The unit of
measurement is the erg per second per
square centimetre, or the watt per square
meter. The threshold of hearing lies at 10 -12
watts/m2, whereas the threshold of pain is
about 1 watt/m2. W
I
2
4ππ
The measurement of sound
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 4
Pressure
40 dB
Duration
continuous sound.
A continuous noise, which occurs
intermittently and has duration of more
than several seconds but then is
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 7
interrupted for more than one second, is 1.8 Sound Pressure Level
intermittent noise, e.g., a dentist's drill.
Sound pressure level measures the
A noise consisting of one or more bursts of
magnitude of the sound. It is a relative the
sound energy having a very short
ratio between the actual sound pressure
duration, i.e., noise of short duration and
and a fixed reference pressure. This
high density such as explosions, sonic
reference pressure is usually that of the
booms, artillery fire, hammering noise, etc
threshold of hearing which has been
is impulsive noise. A more rigorous
internationally agreed upon as having the
classification of impulse sound would
value 0.0002 dynes/cm 2. Sound pressure
require a change of sound pressure of
level may be measured with a sound level
40dB(A) or more within 0.5 second with
meter weighted according to a specific
duration of less than one second.
frequency response pattern and termed as
sound level. Because the square of the
1.7 Sound Pressure & Intensity sound pressure is proportional to sound
Sound intensity is a vector quantity and is intensity, SPL can be calculated in the
a measure of the rate at which work is same manner and is measured in decibels.
done on a conducting medium by an
advancing sound wave and thus the rate of P2
L p 10 log10 ;
power transmission through a surface P0
2
40 0.002 0.00000001
Quiet library
Rustling leaves 10 0.000063 0.00000000001 40dB sound pressure level. The number of
in the distance
sones to a phon was chosen so that a doubling
Threshold of 0 0.00002 0.000000000001
hearing of the number of sones sounds to human ear
like a doubling of the loudness, that also
A decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement, corresponds to increasing the sound pressure
which indicates the relative amplitude of a level by 10dB or increasing the sound pressure
sound (pitch & loudness). The zero on the by a factor 3.16
decibel scale is based on the lowest sound
level that healthy, unimpaired human ear
can detect. Sound levels in decibels are
calculated on a logarithmic basis. An
increase of 10dB represents a ten-fold
increase in acoustic energy, while 20dB is
100 times more intense and 30dB is 1000
times more intense, etc.
Given
Distance 3 5 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
(ft)
3 0 - 4.4 -10.5 -14.0 -16.5 -18.0 -20.0 -22.5 -24.4 -26.0 -27.4 -28.5 -29.5 -30.5
5 4.4 0 - 6.0 - 9.5 -12.0 -14.0 -15.6 -18.1 -20.0 -21.6 -22.9 -24.1 -25.1 -26.0
10 10.5 6.0 0 - 3.5 - 6.0 - 8.0 - 9.5 -12.0 -14.0 -15.6 -16.9 -18.1 -19.1 -20.0
15 14.0 9.5 3.5 0 - 2.5 - 4.4 - 6.0 - 8.5 -10.5 -12.0 -13.4 -14.5 -15.6 -16.5
20 16.5 12.0 6.0 2.5 0 - 1.9 - 3.5 - 6.0 - 8.0 - 9.5 -10.9 -12.0 -13.1 -14.0
25 18.0 14.0 8.0 4.4 1.9 0 - 1.6 - 4.1 - 6.0 - 7.6 - 8.9 -10.1 -11.1 -12.0
30 20.0 15.6 9.5 6.0 3.5 1.6 0 - 2.5 - 4.4 - 6.0 - 7.4 - 8.5 - 9.5 -10.5
40 22.5 18.1 12.0 8.5 6.0 4.1 2.5 0 - 1.9 - 3.5 - 4.9 - 6.0 - 7.0 - 8.0
50 24.4 20.0 14.0 10.5 8.0 6.0 4.4 1.9 0 - 1.6 - 2.9 - 4.1 - 5.1 - 6.0
60 26.0 21.6 15.6 12.0 9.5 7.6 6.0 3.5 1.6 0 - 1.3 - 2.5 - 3.5 - 4.4
70 27.4 22.9 16.9 13.4 10.9 8.9 7.4 4.9 2.9 1.3 0 - 1.2 - 2.2 - 3.1
80 28.5 24.1 18.1 14.5 12.0 10.1 8.5 6.0 4.1 2.5 1.2 0 - 1.0 - 1.9
90 29.5 25.1 19.1 15.6 13.1 11.1 9.5 7.0 5.1 3.5 2.2 1.0 0 - 0.9
100 30.5 26.0 20.0 16.5 14.0 12.0 10.5 8.0 6.0 4.4 3.1 1.9 0.9 0
Decibel corrections for variations in distance from source. An example: a sound source of 60 dB is measured at
50 feet; if the measurement were at 15 feet, the level would be 60 + 10.5 = 70.5 dB under ideal conditions.
-5
C
Relative Response, dB
- 20 B&C
B
- 45
A
Frequency, Hz
Sone 1 2 4 8 16 32 24
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 11
Phon 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Sound
Pressure
Sound Presure, Loudness,
Sound Source Level, dB
(Pa) sone
reference to
μPa
Threshold of pain 100 134 ~ 676
Hearing damage during short term
20 120 ~ 250
effect
Jet, 100m distant 6 - 200 110 - 140 ~ 125 - 1024
Jack Hammmer 1m distance /
2 100 ~ 60
Discotheque
Hearing damage during long term
6 * 10-1 90 ~ 32
effect
Major road, 10m distance 2 * 10-1 - 2 * 10-1 80 – 90 ~ 16 - 32
Passenger car, 10mdistance 2 * 10-2 - 2 * 10-1 60 – 80 ~ 4 - 16
TV set at home level, 1m distance 2 * 10-2 60 ~4
Normal talking, 1m distance 2 * 10-3 - 2 * 10-2 40 - 60 ~1-4
Very calm room 2 * 10-4 - 6 * 10-4 20 – 30 ~ 0.15 - 0.4
Leaves' noise, calm breathing 6 * 10-5 10 ~ 0.02
Auditory threshold at 2kHz 2 * 10-5 0 0
As the disturbance spreads geometrically Day time [ Bending away of sound wave]
its effect will decrease with its distance
from the sound source but the diminution
fog. The variable temperature or wind
in sound intensity will also be affected by
the damping of the sound waves by the speed gradients can result in large
transmitting medium. This effect may variations in noise levels at distances
arise in the atmosphere and is influenced greater than 100m from a noise source.
When upwind of the source or when the
3
A. Lara Saenz, R.W.B. Stephens, Noise Pollution, temperature decreases with height, the
Effects and Control, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, sound waves are refracted away from the
New York, Brisbane, Toronto, Singapore, 1986
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 14
4
ISO 12001
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 16
night time penalty for (20:00hrs ~ Noise zoning (area monitoring): A noise
07:00hrs). map or zoning based on collected
timeframe noise data.
3.1 Selection of Noise
HLPP: In order to conduct HLPP, the
Descriptors audiometric tests should be undertaken
• Traffic Noise: Equivalent Sound Pressure that covers baseline audiogram,
Level (Leq); Percentile Level (L min, L90, L50, monitoring audiogram, retest audiogram,
L10, Lmax); Traffic Noise Index (TNI) & Day confirmation audiogram followed by exit
Night Average (Ldn). audiogram.
c. Confirmation Audiogram and Fellow measures and stores the sound levels during
- Up Action an exposure period and computes the
readout as the percent dose or TWA. With a
If the worker's confirmation audiogram dosimeter, a microphone is attached to the
shows a shift of 15 dB or more at the same employee's clothing and the exposure
frequency in the same ear as in the measurement is simply read at the end of
previous retest audiogram, the worker's the desired time. A reader may be used to
audiograms and other appropriate records read-out the dosimeter's measurements.
shall be reviewed by an audiologist or a
physician. b. Personal Noise Monitoring
If this review confirms that the significant
It measures noise levels in those locations
threshold shift is persistent, the
in which the employee travels from an
significant threshold shift shall be
employee‟s worn dosimeter. A sound level
recorded in the worker's medical record,
meter can also be positioned within the
and the confirmation audiogram shall be
immediate vicinity of the exposed worker to
used for the calculation of any subsequent
obtain an individual exposure estimate.
significant threshold shift in future years.
Such procedures are generally referred to
A worker whose significant threshold shift as "personal" noise monitoring.
is of any etiology other than noise, as
determined in this review, shall be c. Area Monitoring
referred to the worker's physician. If the
probable etiology is of occupational noise Area monitoring can be used to estimate
exposure, the employer shall take noise exposure when the noise levels are
appropriate action to protect the worker relatively constant and employees are not
from additional hearing loss due to mobile. In workplaces where employees
occupational noise exposure. Examples of move about in different areas or where the
appropriate action include, but are not noise intensity tends to fluctuate over time,
limited to, re-instruction and refitting of noise exposure is generally more accurately
hearing protectors, additional training of estimated by the personal monitoring
the worker on hearing loss prevention, and approach.
reassignment of the worker to a quieter
work area. d. Specifications
(ANSI) Standard S1.25-1978, and time - intensity trade off. So, the
"Specifications for Personal Noise exchange rate is the increase or decrease in
Dosimeters," which set performance and decibels corresponding to twice (or half) the
accuracy tolerances. For OSHA use, the noise dose. This means that the sound level
dosimeter must have a 5 - dB exchange of 90 dB produces twice the noise dose that
rate, use a 90 - dBA criterion level, be set 85 dB produces (assuming that duration is
at slow response, and use either an 80 - held constant). The OSHA exchange rate is
dBA or 90 - dBA threshold gate, or a 5 dB. The exchange rate used by different
dosimeter that has both capabilities, organizations is different.
whichever is appropriate for the
evaluation. Occupational Health and Safety
Association, OSHA exchange rate: 5dB
e. Dosimeter Calculation US Department of Navy exchange rate:
4dB
The noise dose provided by dosimeters can
be used to calculate both the continuous US Department of the Army and the
equivalent A-weighted sound level (L A) and Department of the Air Force exchange
the 8 - hour TWA for the time period rate: 3-dB.
sampled, using the following formulas Instrument used by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
D Health (NIOSH) and the Environmental
LA 16.61 log10 90
12.5t Protection Agency (EPA), as well as most
foreign governments also use a 3-dB
exchange rate ACGIH Physical Agents
D
TWA 16.61 log10 90 Threshold Limit Values (TLV)
100
Committee recently revised its noise
TLV to also use the 3-dB exchange rate.
where:
The hypothetical exposure situations
LA : the continuous equivalent A- shown in table illustrate the relationship
weighted sound level in decibels for between criterion level, threshold, and
the time period sampled exchange rate and show the importance
of using a dosimeter with an 80-dBA
D : dosimeter readout in percent noise threshold to characterize an employee's
dose noise exposure. For example, an
instrument with a 90-dBA threshold will
t : the sampling time in hours
not capture any noise below that level,
TWA : the 8-hour time-weighted average in and will thus give readout of 0% even if
decibels, dBA the employee being measured is actually
being exposed to 89 dBA for 8 hours (i.e.,
f Exchange Rate to 87% of the allowable noise dose over
any 8-hour period).
The time / intensity relationship is referred
as the exchange rate. Sometimes it is also
referred as doubling rate, trading ratio,
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 24
50 85.0 90 89.2
55 85.7 95 89.6
60 86.3 100 90.0
65 86.9 105 90.4
70 87.4 110 90.7
75 87.9 115 91.1
80 88.4 120 91.3
85 88.8 125 91.6
Assumes 5-dB exchange rate and 90-dBA PEL.
Source: 29 CFR 1910.95.
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 25
*
Meters that are set to integrate or average sound do not use either the FAST or SLOW time constant; they will sample many times each
second. For a more detailed description of exponential time weighting, refer to Yeager and March [1991].
The correct use of the microphone is b. For practical purposes, this procedure
extremely important in obtaining accurate should be followed for all sound level
measurements. Microphones come in measurements:
many types and sizes. A microphone is
typically designed for use in a particular The microphone should be in the
environment across a specific range of monitored employee's hearing zone.
SPLs and frequencies. In addition, OSHA defines the hearing zone as a
microphones differ in their directionality. sphere with a two-foot diameter
For example, some are intended to be surrounding the head. Considerations
pointed directly at the sound; and others of practicality and safety will dictate
are designed to measure sound from a the actual microphone placement at
"grazing" angle of incidence. Thus users each survey location.
should follow the sound level meter When noise levels at an employee's two
manufacturer‟s instructions regarding the ears are different, the higher level must
type and size of microphone and its be sampled for compliance
orientation toward a sound. Also, care determinations.
should be taken to avoid shielding the Note: Sound level readings in a non - reverberant
microphone by persons or objects [ANSI environment should be taken in accordance with
1996a]. When measuring a diffuse sound the manufacturer's instructions.
field, the person conducting the
measurement should hold the microphone 3.7.4 Octave Band Analyzers
as far from his or her body as practical 5. a. Introduction
d. Specifications Octave band analyzers are sound level
meters that has an octave or one - third
All sound level meters used shall meet
octave band filter attached or integrated
ANSI Standard S1.4-1971 (R1976) or
into the instruments. The assigned filters
S1.4-1983, "Specifications for Sound Level
are used to analyze the frequency content
Meters," which set performance and
of the noise. They are used to find out the
accuracy tolerances.
overall frequency content of noise in the
monitored area. Indeed they are also used
e. Purpose of Use
for the calibration of audiometers and to
a. Sound level meters are used for the determine the suitability of various types of
following purposes: noise control.
To spot - check noise dosimeter They also can be used to select hearing
performance; protectors because they can measure the
To determine an employee's noise dose amount of attenuation offered by the
whenever a noise dosimeter is protectors in the octave-bands responsible
unavailable or inappropriate; for most of the sound energy in a given
To identify and evaluate individual noise situation.
sources for abatement purposes; Octave - band analyzers segment noise
To aid in the determination of the into its component parts. The octave-band
feasibility of engineering controls for filter sets provide filters with the
individual noise sources for abatement following center frequencies: 31.5; 63;
purposes; and 125; 250; 500; 1,000; 2,000; 4,000; 8,000;
and 16,000 Hz.
To evaluate hearing protectors.
The special signature of a given noise can
be obtained by taking sound level meter
readings at each of these settings
(assuming that the noise is fairly constant
5
over time). The results may indicate those
Earshen 1986
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 27
In general, larger and heavier aircraft the air in front of the aircraft is
produce more noise than lighter aircraft. undisturbed, and the sudden impulse at
Multi-bladed turbo-prop engines can the leading edge creates a region of
produce relatively high levels of tonal overpressure higher than atmospheric
noise. The sound pressure level from pressure. This overpressure region
aircraft is, typically, predicted from the travels outward with the speed of sound
number of aircraft, the types of airplanes, that creates a conically shaped bow wave.
their flight paths, the proportions of A tail wave is produced by the tail of the
takeoffs and landings and the aircraft and is associated with a region
atmospheric conditions. Severe noise where the pressure is lower than the
problems may arise at airports hosting atmospheric pressure due to the sideways
many helicopters or smaller aircraft used trailing of air behind the aircraft. An
for private business, flying training and aircraft in supersonic flight trails a sonic
leisure purposes. Special noise problems boom that can be heard up to 50 km on
may also arise inside airplanes because of either side of its ground track, depending
vibration. The noise emission from future upon the flight altitude and the size of
super jets is unknown. the aircraft (Warren 1972). A sonic boom
A sonic boom consists of two types of can be heard as a loud double-boom
shock wave (discontinuities existence) in sound. At high intensity it can damage
the air, generated by an aircraft when it property.
flies at a speed slightly greater than the
local speed of sound. At supersonic speed,
Underpressure
of noise generation depend on the
particularly noisy operations and types of
4.2 Industrial Noise equipments [crushing, riveting, blasting
Industrial machinery and processes are (quarries and mines), shake out (foundries),
composed of various noise sources such as punch presses, drop forges, drilling, lathes,
rotors, stators, gears, fans, vibrating pneumatic equipment (jack hammers,
panels, turbulent fluid flow, impact chipping hammers, etc), tumbling barrels,
processes, electrical machines, internal plasma jets, cutting torches, sandblasting,
electric furnaces, boiler making, machine
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 30
tools for forming, dividing and metal Plastic Industries, BID Molding 97
cutting, such as punching, pressing and Nebico Biscuit, BID Grinding 100 - 104
shearing lathes, milling machines and
Balaju Yantra Shala,
grinders as well as textile machines and BID
Cutting 104
print machines, pumps and compressors,
Bottlers Nepal, BID Filling 96
drive units, hand guided machines, self
propelled working machines, in plant Nepal Feed Industries,
Grinning 90 -95
BID
conveying systems and transport vehicles].
Him Plastic, BID Cutting 100 - 103
Air jets: widely used , for example, for
cleaning, drying power tools and steam Eastern Textile, Birgunj Loom 102
valves can generate sound levels of Birgunj Sugar Mill,
Turbine 105
about 105dB. Birgunj
Calculation:
Where,
L(Aeq, T) : Equivalent A - weighted sound pressure level for total time period T.
N : Total no of readings
Mathematically,
L / 10 (L 10) / 10
L dn 10 log 10 [0.625 ( 10 d ) 0.375 (10 n ]
dB (A)
Where,
T 1 Lai/10
dB(A)
SEL 10 log 10 10
To n Where,
To : 1 second
The relationship between the A – weighted sound exposure and the A – weighted equivalent
continuous sound level, Leq,T is
A noise exposure level normalized to a nominal 8-hour working day may be calculated from
EA,8h by using following equation:
The daily personal noise exposure of a worker is expressed in dB(A) by using the following
formula:
Where,
T0: 8hours
P0: 20µpa
“Daily personal noise exposure of a worker LEP,d “ is the same as the term “ noise exposure
level normalised to a normal 8hr working day, LEX,8h
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 34
Weekly average of the daily values (LEP,w): The weekly average of the daily values is found
using the following formula:
Where (LEp,d)k are the values of LEP,d for each of the m working days in the week being
considered.
If each work station "i" is exposed to a level L Aeq,Ti in dB(A) for a relative duration Di (in%),
the reconstituted noise level is:
was shown to be inferior to that of TNI in Note: Four hours are missing for the
the original survey. nighttime that is arbitrarily calculated as
Where,
6. Noise Criteria (NC) Curves
Leq is the equivalent energy level measured Noise Criteria Curves (NC-Curves)
in dB(A), k is a constant which is developed by ASHRAE (American
provisionally given the value 2.56, σ is the Society of Heating, refrigeration and
standard deviation of instantaneous levels Air conditioning Engineers) in 1957 are
in time. the most widely used values for gauging
indoor building noise. These are curves
which were often used in the past to
5.7 Airport Noise
assess steady industrial or community
Measurement noise. Machinery manufacturers to
Noise number index (NNI) and noise specify machinery noise levels currently
exposure forecast (NEF) are assigned for use them in some cases. The
airport noise measurement. These requirements are that the sound
parameters are calculated as follows: pressures measured at each octave
band must be below the specified NC
NNI L 15 log N - 80
curve (within a 2dB tolerance) if they
eq. peak av. 10 are to meet the NC rating.
Many specifications for target noise
NEF L 10 log N - K
eq peak av. 10 levels and associated noise control
Where, N = number of aircraft generate measures are also written based on the
noise during measurement. K = 88 for Noise Criterion curves. The Noise
daytime exposure [6am to 6pm] = 76 for Criterion curves are octave band curves
nighttime exposure [10pm to 6am). with a single number rating attached to
each of them (see Figure 1). The
NNI Guidelines methodology of determining the NC
rating of a particular sound spectrum
NNI = 20 Little degree of annoyance
requires plotting the octave band
(Degree 1)
spectrum under assessment against the
NNI = 30 Little degree of annoyance NC curves and selects the lowest NC
(Degree 2) curve that has values that are higher or
equal to the ones assessed in all octave
NNI = 50 Moderate degree of annoyance bands. The NC curves provide both
(Degree 3) quantitative and qualitative analysis of
the indoor noise levels through a single
number rating. Unlike the A-weighted
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 36
sound level, the Noise Criterion the highest NC curve that has a
provides some spectral information as tangency point in any octave band with
its level is determined by the level of the sound spectrum under evaluation.
Figure no. 1
Fig2
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 37
this criterion is not optimum as there are Building Occupancy Good Acceptable
many sound spectra that match the same
Residences NC25 NC35
NC level. From Figure 2 one can see that
Appartements NC25 NC35
three completely different sound spectra
(SPL1, SPL2 and SPL3) could have the Hotel Rooms NC30 NC35
same NC level (NC40 in this case). In terms Executive Offices NC22 NC30
of qualitative assessment SPL1 is similar to Conference Rooms NC22 NC30
the sound of a constant volume HVAC Individual Offices NC30 NC35
system; SPL2 is similar to the airflow noise Open Plan Offices NC38 NC42
through a diffuser while SPL3 shows a
Corridors NC40 NC45
strong tonal character at 500 Hz. The
criteria are not a good reflection of the total Hospital Rooms NC23 NC33
amount of sound energy in the spectrum Classrooms NC23 NC30
but rather of the energy in the tangency Auditoriums NC20 NC30
band. Generally speaking is difficult to Theaters NC18 NC25
compare two sounds based solely on their Concert Halls NC15 NC22
NC levels without knowing their spectral
Recording Studios NC15 NC18
components.
TV Studios NC18 NC26
Another short come of the Noise Criterion
is that it is defined for the octave bands
between 63 Hz and 8 kHz. This leaves un-
assessed the low frequency noise
components in 31.5 Hz and 16 Hz bands
that are usually associated with structure
borne noise and airflow turbulence noise in
ductwork systems that could induce
rattling of light fixtures, diffusers etc.
In most countries, land - use planning and zoning is used to avoid conflicts between noise
sensitive buildings and noise - generating installation such as airports, road networks and
industrial plants. The planning involves decision on the future use of resources. Enforcement of
regulation is being made by supervision to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. The
source is the point at which noise originates, and the path is the line in air along with the noise
waves can be considered to the receiver or the ear. The final objective in noise control being to
reduce the noise reaching the receiver can be achieved by modifications at source, along path or
even the receiver or all the three.
power turbines
generation Belts or hydraulic power
and transmissions for gear boxes
transmission
equipment
Replacement
Replace new rolling element
of worn
bearings for worn ones
moving parts
Minimizing the number of noisy machine
running at any one time
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 42
walls of the enclosure over that which the frequency the greater the diffraction
would result from the direct field of the and the smaller the resulting attenuation.
source. A degradation of the noise The effective barriers must be as close as
reduction expected of the enclosure is possible either to the noise source or to the
implied. receiver. They must be sufficiently high
If the sound source radiates predominantly and long to ensure that noise cannot get
high-frequency noise, then an enclosure around the ends. Sound transmission
with low resonance frequency panels is through a barrier must also be minimized.
recommended, implying a massive Typically, the barrier material requires a
enclosure. On the other hand, if the sound minimum mass per unit area of about
radiation is predominantly low frequency in 10kg/m2. It is important to ensure that no
nature then an enclosure with a high cracks or gaps are present in a noise
resonance frequency is desirable, implying barrier. The steel pile and concrete panel
a stiff but not massive enclosure.
Since the absorption coefficient of
absorbent lining is generally highest at
high frequencies, the high-frequency
components of any noise will suffer the
highest attenuation. Some improvement in
low-frequency absorption can be achieved
by using a thick layer of lining. However
the liner should, in many cases, be
protected from contamination with oil or
water, to prevent its acoustical absorption
properties from being impaired.
wall is American's standard noise wall.
The noise control measures for roads or
highways include construction of
barriers to obstruct or dissipate sound
emissions, elevated or depressed
highways, and the absorption effects of
landscaping (trees, bushes, and shrubs).
Construction of barriers can be an
effective approach for reducing highway
noise. The important factors like
relative height of the barrier, the noise
and the effected area, and the
The enclosure walls should have a
horizontal distances between the source
transmission loss of about 20 dB, and the
and between the barrier and the noise-
most sound power reduction that can be
affected area are considered in
achieved is about 10 dB. However, noise
designing the barriers.
levels may in some cases be more greatly
reduced, especially in areas immediately The type of materials used in
behind solid parts of the enclosure. construction of noise barriers and other
abatement measures should be an
engineering decision based on
7.2.1 Acoustic Barriers & Panels economics, effectiveness and, to a
A sound shadow is created when a barrier limited degree, visual impacts.
cuts the line of sight from a noise source to The effects of barriers are complex
a receiver. Sound waves tend to bend functions of the difference between the
around the top and the ends of a barrier. direct and deflected noise path lengths
The extent varies with frequency, the lower and of wavelengths of the sound. The
A 10 log 10 ( 3 20 N )
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 44
STC: Single number rating derived from fluid while at the same time restricting
decibel loss data at several frequencies. the free passage of sound. Muffling
devices might also be used where direct
7.2.2 Mufflers and Silencers access to the interior of a noise
Mufflers and silencers are acoustic filters containing enclosure is required, but
through which the fluid noise is reduced. through which no steady flow of gas is
They are either absorptive or reactive necessarily to be maintained.
mufflers. An absorptive muffler reduces Insertion loss (IL) and transmission
the noise due to the presence of fibrous or loss (TL) are commonly used to describe
porous material present. The priority is the effectiveness of a muffling system.
given in reactive muffler where its shape The insertion loss of a muffler is
is especially designed geometry, which can defined as the reduction (dB) in sound
reflect or expand the sound wave with power transmitted through a duct
resultant destruction. compared to that transmitted with no
muffler in place. Provided that the duct
outlet remains at a fixed point in space,
the insertion loss will be equal to the
noise reduction which would be
expected at a reference point external
to the duct outlet as a result of
installing the muffler. The
transmission loss of a muffler, on the
other hand, is defined as the difference
(in decibels) between the sound power
incident at the entry to the muffler to
that transmitted by the muffler.
7.2.6 Diffusion
Diffusion treatment is applied in
industrial and commercial architectural
reduction of noise. This treatment is used
8
NRC: Percentage of acoustical energy absorbed calculated as
an average of laboratory test data at several frequencies.
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 47
to reflect sound waves off convexly curved commercially available hearing protectors.
or uneven surfaces for the purpose of The selected hearing protector should be
evenly distributing and blending the capable of reducing the noise exposure at
sound over a broad area. In critical the ear to below 82 dBA, 8-hour TWA.
listening area, diffusion can eliminate Hearing protectors should be used only
sharp echoes without eliminating the when engineering controls and work
sound by absorbing it. practices are not feasible for reducing
noise exposures, or during the
7.2.7 Anechoic Chamber implementation of engineering controls.
The anechoic chamber is the enclosure The best hearing protector is the one the
provided to compensate the noise danger worker will wear all of the time because it
from the sources. The walls of the is comfortable, adequate noise reduction
chamber should be massive and air tight (effective), and has minimal impact on
and provided with absorbent lining in the communication.
interior part that will reduce the Different types and models of hearing
reverberant buildup of noise within it. protectors are available for noise
Structural contact between the noise protection. Mainly the foam type HP with
source and the enclosure must be avoided, noise rating reduction, NNR 29dB,
so that the source of vibration is not premolded (NNR - 21 to 26dB), fiberglass
transmitted to the chamber walls. (NNR - 15 to 26 dB), custom (NNR - 15 to
24dB), semi aural (NNI - 19dB), earmuffs
7.3 Receiver Control (NNR - 23 to 25dB), Capmuffs (NNR - 21
Hearing protectors are the least desirable to 23dB).
option for preventive measures of noise.
However, if it is impossible to reduce noise Estimation of A - weighted TWA for
to a harmless level then some form of hearing Protectors:
hearing protecting devices (ear – plug, ear
When dBA level is known:
– muffs, helmets) is required. Most of the
hearing protection devices reduce the When using a sound level meter set to
sound to 35dB. It should be noted that the A-weighting network: The obtained
protective ear devices do interfere with representative sample of the A -
speech communication and can also be weighted exposures is used to calculate
hazard in some situation. A correctly the employee's TWA by subtraction 7
selected hearing protector should provide dB from the NRR, and further
enough noise reduction to remove the risk deducting the remainder from the A -
of hearing damage, and at the same time weighted TWA to obtain the estimated
allow communication with the A - weighted TWA under the hearing
surroundings while ensuring the best protector.
available of comfort.
When using area monitoring procedures
and a sound level meter set to the A -
7.3.1 Hearing Protectors weighting network: The estimation A -
weighted TWA under the hearing
The best hearing protection for any
protector for the obtained
worker is removal of hazardous noise from
representative sound level data for the
the workplace. Until that happens, the
area in question is done by subtracting
best hearing protector for a worker is the
7 dB from the NRR, and finally
one he or she will wear willingly and
deducting the remainder from the A -
consistently. The hearing protector is a
weighted sound level for that area.
device, which covers or fills the ears so
When using a dosimeter that is not
that the sound reaching the eardrum is
capable of C - weighted measures: The
attenuated. Molded and pliable earplugs,
first step is the conversion of A-
cup - type protectors and helmets are
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 48
good attenuation at low frequencies (up to 7.4.2 Land Use Planning Measures
20 dB) and also serve as classical passive Another option for controlling traffic noise
earmuffs with good attenuation at high is to use administrative controls (zonning
frequencies. regulations). Residential developments can
also be planned with buffer zones between
Advanced Earmuffs: Phones and wired- highways and residential buildings. These
up or connection through radio. buffer zones can commercial, industrial or
Additionally, they can be fitted with undeveloped areas.
acoustic frequency band-pass filters to
provide speech communication between 7.4.3 Alternatives to Noise barriers:
wearers, providing that the noise is out Traffic management / speed Restriction:
of the speech frequency band. Traffic noise levels depend greatly on
the type of vehicles on the highway and
Earmuffs: Reproduce music or their speeds. Trucks generate more noise
messages from external units. These than cars, especially when accelerating
muffs have a peak limiting circuit (to and decelerating. Restricting trucks
about 80 dB(A)) to avoid hazard. from certain roadways, enforcing speed
restrictions, and minimizing or
7.4 Traffic Noise Abatement synchronizing traffic signals, can thus
7.4.1 Noise Barriers minimize noise.
As fences / vegetation have minimal
Highway Design Options: Highway
effectiveness, the most common method is
design options to minimize traffic noise
the construction of noise barriers (reflective
include building road ways as far as
or absorptive). Because noise barriers are,
possible from noise – sensitive locations,
open to the air above and around them,
depressing roadways, and avoiding steep
sound bends over just as light bends around
inclines in roadways. Steep inclines in
the obstructions – through the principle of
roadways cause more noise to be
diffraction. Diffraction limits the
generated by vehicles, especially trucks,
effectiveness of any barrier to a maximum
as they accelerate uphill and decelerate
noise reduction of 10 to 15 decibels,
downhill. A level roadway elevation
independent of the material used. Typical
avoids this extra noise generation.
reductions usually range from 5 to 10
Building highways ground level creates
decibels. Refelective barrieras can diminish
natural barriers between the highways
more reduction capabilities when barriers
and any noise sensitive locations.
are on both sides of highway and are spaced
closer than 100ft apart. Building Insulation: Sound insulation in
buildings, in the form of replacing
windows and doors, providing central
ventilation systems, and adding
insulation to attics (top floors), are only
considered for public buildings and
nonprofits institutional structures on a
case by case basis.
pollution control. However, the need for recognized as national issue. Environment
policies, plan and legislation of noise was regarded as an integral part of
pollution was clearly spelled out in Nepal development in the Seventh Five - Year
Environmental Policies and Action Plan Plan (1985 - 1990).
(NEPAP) in 1993. NEPAP was based on
7.5.1 Related Legislation
Agenda - 21 that has addressed most of
• The Environmental Protection Act,
the principles relevant to the country. It
refers to the declaration of principles by 1997: Environmental Protection Act, 1997
United Nations Conference on and Environmental Protection Rules, 1997
Environment and Development (UNCED) have made provision dealing with Initial
held in Rio de Janeiro (June, 1992). Environmental Examination (IEE),
Principles like 11, 13, and 17 of Agenda - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),
21 followed by the NEPAP are relevant to Prevention and Control of Pollution and
noise pollution control, which states that: Protection of National Heritage and
"Nation shall enact effective Environmental Protection Area.
environmental laws and developmental
law regarding liability and compensation Section (7) - 1 of the Act refers to
for the victims of pollution and other "Prevention and Control of Pollution"
environmental damage. Nation shall which states; "Nobody shall create
undertake the environmental assessment, pollution or allow pollution to be caused in
as a national instrument for proposed such a manner which is likely to have
activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the
significant adverse impact on the environment or likely to be hazardous to
environment." human life and health, or shall not emits
sound, heat radioactive rays, wastes from
Eighth Five Year Plan (1992 - 1997) has any mechanical devices, industrial
strongly emphasized on the importance of enterprises or any other places contrary to
EIA in developmental sector for the prescribed standard." Subsection (2-3)
investigating development - related of the section (7) of the Act has given full
pollution and to adopt proper technology to authority to the concerned agency to
minimize such pollution. Subsequently, the immediately penalize or prohibit activities
Environmental Protection Act, EPA (1997) violating to section (7) - 1. The chapter (3)
and Environmental Protection Rules, EPR of the Act has provided various provisions
(1997) were enacted. Similarly, Ninth Five under rules (15 - 20) for prevention and
Year Plan (1997 - 2002) has laid more control of pollution. Rule - 15 refers to
emphasis on Pollution Prevention Strategy. prohibition of emitting waste states that
In the current Tenth Five Year Plan (2002 - "A person shall not emit or cause the
2007), it spells out about the long term emission of noise, heat, radioactive
goals for pollution control in a sustainable material and wastes from any mechanical
manner as well as envisages the means, industrial establishment or any
visualization of legal and fiscal mechanisms other place in contravention of the
for controlling industrial pollution and standard prescribed by the Ministry
deliberates focuses on research on through notification published in the
environmental friendly technologies. The Gazette." Rule - 16 has enforced the
working policies adopted in the Tenth Year industries like chemical, food processing,
Five Year Plan has clearly spelled out textile etc listed in Annex - 7 of the Act to
about air, water and sound pollution install equipment to reduce the pollution
standards determination and programs of under prescribed standard and to take
implementation giving emphasis to an provisional or permanent certificate from
effective monitoring system. It was for the the concerned body (MoPE / MoEST). Rule
first time in the sixth five - year plan (1980 (17 - 20) has given provision of lodging
- 1985) that environment problem was complained against pollution and
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 51
empowered the concerned body to issue determine whether or not the vehicle is
notice to control pollution and to carry out road worthy. Section 17 (l) enforces the
sanitation and cleanliness activities. vehicle owner to examine the vehicle
under the measures prescribed in section
• The Labor Act, 1991: The Labor Act, 23, before registration and for taking
1991 that is administrated by the owner roadworthiness certificate.
Ministry of Labor, is the main regulation Section 118 of the Act mandates the
that regulates the working environment. traffic police department to put
Chapter 5 of the Act deals with restriction to drive any vehicle at any
occupational health and safety. Section 27 public place for public security and
of chapter 5 requires the management to welfare of the common people. Under
make certain arrangements such as this Act, Traffic Police Department has
reduction of noise pollution that would recently (2003) declared Horn
adversely affect the health of workers. Restriction Zone from Shaidgate to
Section 26 and 29 require for management Jamal in Kathmandu City. For violation
to provide protective clothing or devices to of this law, under the section 164 of the
workers handling excessive noise Act, traffic police can impose fine
producing equipment. immediately from Rs 25 to Rs 200.
• National 9Transport
9
Transport Management System of Nepal, Yuba Raj
Pandey, Ministry of Labour and Transport
Management, Kathmandu, Nepal February 2009
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 53
Sleep / clinical
Disorders
- Sleep apnoea
- Chronic Insomnia
Effects on Health
Short Term
- Increased risk of accidents
Symptoms or Indicators of - Blood Pressure
disturbed sleep "Sleep - Stress of hormones
Disturbance"
Stressors
- Environment
- Psychological
- Life style
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 54
disorders, and most frequently noise - as the noise levels increase, people tend
induced hearing losses, are accompanied to raise their voices to overcome the
by abnormal loudness perception masking effect. At a distance of 1m from
(loudness recruitment). the speaker, relaxed conversation occurs
at a voice level of approximately 54 -
8.4 Interference with Speech 56dB(A) and normal and raised voices at
levels of approximately 60 and 66dB(A).
Communication
The speech level should exceed the noise
Noise interference with speech bias level by 15 to 18dB(A) for 100% sentence
results in a great proportion of person intelligibility. When the speech level is
disabilities and handicaps such as equal to noise level, intelligibility falls to
problems with concentration, fatigue, 95%.
uncertainty and lack of self-confidence,
So, for normal conversation at about 1m
irritation, misunderstandings, and
distances, the background noise should
decreased work capacity, problems in
not exceed 70dB(A). Shouted
human relations, and number of reactions
conversations at the same distance are
to stress. The higher the level of the
possible up to about 85dB(A). To permit
masking noise and more energy it
normal conversation at distances of about
contains at speech frequencies, the greater
5 meters would require a background
will be the percentage of speech sounds
noise level below 50dB(A). Satisfactory
that are undetectable to the listener.
telephone conversations need background
Many noises that are not enough intense
levels less than about 80dB(A). The
to cause hearing impairment can interfere
estimated sentence intelligibility, at
with speech communication. The
speaker-listener distances greater than
interference effect is a complicated
1m in the reverberant conditions found in
function of the distance between the
a typical living room. For 100% sentence
speaker and listener and the frequency
intelligibility, it is desirable for indoor
components of the spoken phonemes.
listening conditions, a background noise
During relaxed conversation, the speech level of less than 45dB(A).
level is approximately 55dB(A) and that
120
high
Communication Impossible
100
Background
Noise, dB(A)
3 6 9
Speech Interference
a
Effects
Hearing Annoyance
Indoor Outdoor b Average
Loss
Day- Communit
Night Distance in y Reaction
d
Average meter for % of
% Sentence
Sound Qualitative 95% Population General Community
Intelligibilit
Level Description Sentence Highly Attitude Towards Area
y c
Intelligibilit Annoyed
y
Noise is considered no
will not more important than
-
occur various other
55 100 3.5 4.0
environmental factors.
11
Notes: Research implicates noise as a factor producing stress-related health effects such as heart diseases,
high blood pressure and stroke, ulcers and other digestive disorders. The relationships between noise
and these effects, however, have not as yet been quantified.
a. Speech interference data are drawn from other US Environmental Protection agencies studies.
b. Depends on attitudes and other factors.
c. The percentage of people reporting annoyance to lesser extent is high in each case. An unknown small
percentage of people will report being highly annoyed even in the quietest surroundings. One reason is
the difficulty all people have in integrating annoyance over a very long time.
d. Attitudes or other non-acoustic factor can modify this. Noise at low levels can still be important problem,
particularly when it intrudes into a quiet environment.
11
Federal Interagency Committee on Urban Noise, 1980, p. D-2
Sunil Babu Khatry, Noise Pollution, 513 -Page, 59
The relationship between stress and strain with special regard to moderate variables
References
1. Acoustic Materials for Sound Insulation for industrial, commercial or architectural applications, Smock &
Schonthaler Industries, Insulation Sales Inc.
2. Birgitta Berglund, Thomas Lindvall (1995), Community Noise, Center for Sensory Research, Stockholm,
Sweden.
3. Brief Technical Notes on Sound & Noise Control, N9701: ESI Engineering, Inc.., Minnesota.
4. Brigitta Berglund, Thomas Lindvall, Dietrich H Schela, Guideline for Community Noise,
WHO/SDE/PHE/OEH.
5. Canter, MW., Environmental Impact Assessment.
6. Chawla Gr, Mehra ML, Katyal T, Satake M, Katyal Mohan, Nagahiro Himeji (1989): Environmental Noise
Pollution & its Control.
7. Corner O Leo (1991), Putting a lid on noise pollution: Mechanical Engineering Journal, USA.
8. Criteria For a Recommended Standard; Occupational Noise Exposure - Revised Criteria 1998, U.S. Department
Of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
9. Cunnif PF (1977), Environmental Noise Pollution.
10. Davis, Cornwel, Environmental Engineering.
11. Garg, SK, Sewage disposal & air pollution engineering.
12. Gerard Kelly, Environmental Engineering.
13. Guideline Values for Community Noise in specific Environment (1999), WHO.
14. Jones DM, AJ (1984), Noise & Socity.
15. Lord P & Thomas, Noise Measurement & Control.
16. Manella R & Mc Clintock, Noise in non linear dynamical system; Contemporary Physics, Vol. 31, No. 3.
17. Monitoring Noise Levels Non – mandatory Informational appendix - 1910.95 App G: Regulations (Standards –
29CFR), US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
18. Monitoring Noise Levels Non-mandatory Information, Appendix1910.95 [Regulations standard - 29 CFR: app
G]: US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Wasihngton , DC 20210
19. NIOSH 919720, EPA (1973) & ISO (1971).
20. Noise & Health, Health Council of the Netherlands, 1994.
21. Noise Code (1998), Department of Environmental Protection, New York.
22. Noise Criteria (NC) Method: State of the Art Acoustics Inc., Ottawa, ON Canada K1J 9J3.
23. Noise Level Monitoring & Measurement: JIS C 1512/1983.
24. Noise Pollution, EPA Victoria, South Australlia.
25. Occupational Noise Exposure, Criteria For a Recommended, Standard Revised Criteria 1998: U.S.
Department Of Health And Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Cincinnati, Ohio.
26. Occupational Noise Exposure, Recommendations for a Noise Standard, NIOSH, CDC, USA.
27. Poleto, David MY, Cost – Benefit Handbook: A guide for New York State’s Regulatory Agencies, Government
Regulatory Reform.
28. Protection of the Human Environment, Guidelines for Community, WHO.
29. Recommendations for a Noise Standard, Niosh, CDC, 1999.
30. Rosenstock, Linda (1996), Criteria for a Recommended Standard Occupational Nosie Exposure, Revised
Criteria, DHHS (NIOSH), Publication No. 96
31. Sound Level Meters, JIS Z 8731/1983.
32. Young H. D. & Scars F. W.; University Physics.
33. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc 2007
34. Henderson Tom (1996 – 2004), The Nature of Sound
35. Allan D. Pierce, Acoustics: An Introduction to its Physical Principles & Application, 2007 The Acoustical
Society of America
36. Sapkota, Balkrishna (2004), Fundamentals of Noise Pollution, Department of Physics, Pulchowk Campus,
Lalitpur
Sunil (b)
A. Annexure
Time LAmax
LAeq
Specific environment Critical Health Effect(s) base fast
[dB(A)]
[hours] [dB]
sleeping-
Pre-school bedrooms, indoor Sleep disturbance 30 45
time
during
School, playground outdoor Annoyance (external source) 55 -
play
# 3: Existing quiet outdoor areas should be preserved and the ratio of intruding noise to natural background sound
should be kept low.
# 4: Under headphones, adapted to free-field values.
Activity
Leq(h) Description of Activity Category
Category
Lands on which serenity and quiet are of extraordinary significance and serve
A 57 (Exterior) and important public need, and where the preservation of those qualities is
essential if the area is to continue to serve its intended purpose
Residences, churches, school, libraries, hospitals, motels, hotels, parks, picnic
B 67 (Exterior)
and recreation areas, active sports areas and playgrounds
C 72 (Exterior) Developed lands, properties or activities not included in Categories A or B
D Not Applicable Undeveloped lands
Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting rooms, schools, churches, libraries,
E 52 (Interior)
hospitals and auditoriums
Maximum
permitted
Class of Machine Specified Times
Noise Level,
dB(A)*
Lawnmowers, poser equipment and their From 8pm on any night (except Saturday
drives (including saws, drills, tools, night) until 8am on the following morning.
45
compressors, pumps, swimming pool pumps From 8pm on Saturday night until 9am on
and filters, etc) the following Sunday morning.
From 10pm on any night (except Saturday
night) until 8am on the following morning.
Domestic air conditioners 45
From 10pm on Saturday night until 9am on
the following Sunday morning.
Some non – domestic noise sources are also controlled by this policy
From 8pm on any night until 7am on the
Bird scaring devices 45 following morning.
Compactors (Rollers0 71 - 74
Front Loaders 72 - 83
Earth Moving
Backhoes 72 - 92
Tractors 78 - 94
Equipment Powered by Internal Combustion Engines
Scrapers, Graders 80 - 82
Pavers 87 - 89
Trucks 83 - 93
Concrete Mixers 74 - 85
Materials Handling
Concrete Pumps 81 - 82
Cranes, Movable 74 - 85
Cranes, Derrick 87 - 90
Pumps 69 - 71
Stationary
Generators 73 - 83
Compressors 76 - 87
Pneumatic wrenches 83 - 88
Vibrator 69 - 81
Others
Saws 73 - 81
Level in
Effect Situation Noise metric Inside/outside
dB(A)
1. Sufficient evidence
2. Limited evidence
Birth-weight - - - -
Immune system - - - -
Psychiatric admission - - - -
3. Lack of evidence
Congenital effects - - - -
Ref.: Noise and Health, Health Council of the Netherlands, September 1994
Sunil (f)
Table 6: Ldn Values that protect Public Health and Welfare with a Margin of
Safety
Column I
Vehicle Characteristics Speed limit of Speed limit of
35 mph or less more than 35 mph
1. Any motor vehicle with a manufacturer‟s gross vehicle rating of
eight thousand pounds or more and any combination of vehicles
86 dB(A) 90 dB(A)
towed by such motor vehicle
2. Any motorcycle other than a motordriven cycle
Before January 1, 1978 82 dB(A) 86 dB(A)
After January 1, 1978 78 dB(A) 82 dB(A)
3. Any other motor vehicle and any combination of vehicles towed by such motor vehicle
Before January 1, 1978 76 dB(A) 82 dB(A)
After January 1, 1978 70 dB(A) 79 dB(A)
Column II
4. Any motor vehicle with a manfacturer's gross vehicle rating of eight
thousand pounds or more and any combination of vehicles towed by 92 dB(A) 96 dB(A)
such motor vehicle
5. Any motorcycle other than a motor driven cycle
Before January 1, 1978 88 dB(A) 92 dB(A)
After January 1, 1978 84 dB(A) 88 dB(A)
6. Any other motor vehicle and any combination of vehicles towed by such motor vehicle
Ref.: Noise Code, Department of Environmental Protection, New York City, March 1998
Sunil (h)
Table 10: Ambient Noise Quality Zones, New York City - USA
Ambient Noise
S.N. Features
Quality Zone
Ambient noise quality zones are the classified zones for the entire geographical area of the city on the
basis of those conditions, which affect the ambient noise levels.
Low density residential areas RL presently designated as land-use
N-1
zones R - I, R - 2, and R - 3.
High density residential areas RH presently designated as land-use
N-2
zones R - 4, R - 5, R - 6, R - 7, R - 8, R - 9, and R - 10.
All commercial and industrial areas presently designated as land-
N-3 use zones C - I, C - 2, C - 3, C - 4, C - 5, C - 6, C - 7, C - 8, M - I, M -
2, and M - 3.
Other land-use zones be established, including special zoning
Other
districts.
Ref.: Noise Code, Department of Environmental Protection, New York City, March 1998
Table 11: Noise Standards for Various Ambient Noise Quality Zones, New York City
- USA
Day-time standards Night-time standards
Ambient Noise Quality Zone
(7am - 10pm) (10pm - 7am)
Noise quality zone N-1 (Low density residential RL; land-use zones
Leq, 1hr = 60 dB(A) Leq, 1hr = 50 dB(A)
R-1 to R-3)
Noise quality zone N-2 (High density residential RH; land-use zones
Leq, 1hr = 65 dB(A) Leq, 1hr = 55 dB(A)
R-4 to R-10)
Noise quality zone N-3 (All Commercial and manufacturing land-use
Leq, 1hr = 70 dB(A) Leq, 1hr = 70 dB(A)
zones)
Ref.: Noise Code, Department of Environmental Protection, New York City, March 1998
Table 12: OSHA Noise Exposure Limits for the Work Environment
Noise Exposure Level, dBA Permissible Exposure (Hours & Minutes)
85 16 hrs
87 12 hrs 6 min
90 8 hrs
93 5 hrs 18 min
96 3 hrs 30 min
99 2 hrs 18 min
102 1 hr 30 min
105 1 hr
108 40 min
111 26 min
114 17 min
115 15 min
118 10 min
121 6.6 min
124 4 min
127 3 min
Sunil (i)
130 1 min
Note: Exposure above or below the 90 dB limit have been “time weighted” to give what OSHA believes are equivalent
risks to a 90 dB eight - hour exposure.
Country Noise Index Type of Emission Values Daytime Rest time Nighttime
Country Noise Index Type of Emission Values Daytime Rest time Nighttime
Korea
Alarm value 70 65
National Noise
Country L(Aeq, 24 h)dB Regulations
Index
≤ 25 ≤ 57 No restrictions
Denmark ≤ 55 ≤ 51 No restrictions
National Noise
Country L(Aeq, 24 h)dB Regulations
Index
≤ 57 ≤ 55 No restriction
≤ 35 ≤ 50 No restriction
50 - 55 60 - 64 NRL = 35 - 40dB
≤ 55 ≤ 52 No restriction
≤ 60 ≤ 55 No restriction
60 … 70 55 … 65 Insulation measures
≤ 65 ≤ 62 No restriction
USA
New developments not recommended, NLR >
65 - 70 62 - 67
25dB
Sunil (l)
National Noise
Country L(Aeq, 24 h)dB Regulations
Index
Ref.: Estimation and mapping of vehicular traffic-induced noise along a. bonifacio avenue and sumulong
highway in Marikina City, Aileen U. Mappala , Sheila Flor T. Dominguez -Javier
In New Zealand, noise from most construction and maintenance, including roads, is managed in accordance with
New Zealand Standard NZS 6803:1999 ‘Acoustics – Construction Noise’. The NZTA manages and minimises
potentially unreasonable noise effects during state highway construction and maintenance, so far as is practicable,
in accordance with this standard. NZS 6803 provides the following guideline noise limits for construction and
maintenance works. These limits apply outside neighbouring buildings; one metre from the façades and 1.2 to 1.5
metres above the relevant floor level. Updated: Monday, March 1, 2010 - 10:29
For each time period there are two noise limits: an average (L Aeq(t)) and a maximum (LAFmax) [acoustics terms]. For typical daytime
construction lasting less than 20 weeks, the guideline limits are 75 dB LAeq(t) and 90 dB LAFmax. The LAeq(t) noise limits for works
lasting less than 20 weeks
5. UK Special
Sunil (o)
Ref.: Workers Compensation Board of BC, Vancouver, ARSC Ref. No. 0135-20, Februrary 2000
Sunil (p)
Sunil (q)
Sunil (r)
Ref.: Highway Traffic Noise Analysis and Abatement Policy and Guidance, US DOT, 1995