Noise pollution

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A Boeing 747-400 passes close to houses shortly before landing at London Heathrow Airport

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

disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. The word noise comes from the Latin
word nauseas, meaning seasickness.

The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly construction and transportation systems,

including motor vehicle noise, aircraft noise and rail noise.[1][2] Poor urban planning may give rise to noise
pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the
residential area.

Indoor and outdoor noise pollution sources include car alarms, emergency service sirens, mechanical
equipment, fireworks, compressed air horns, groundskeeping equipment, barking dogs,
appliances, lighting hum, audio entertainment systems, electric megaphones, and loud people.

Effects
Human health
Main article:  Noise health effects

Noise health effects are both health and behavioral in nature.[citation needed]

 The unwanted sound is called
noise. This unwanted sound can damage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can
cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels,tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep
disturbances, and other harmful effects. [3][4][5][6] Furthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading
causes to health problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times
panic attacks.[4][7]

Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males exposed to
significant occupational noise demonstratesignificantly 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.[8] 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. [3]

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[3] and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressurenoted above as well as to
increased incidence of coronary artery disease.

Noise pollution is also a cause of annoyance. A 2005 study by Spanish researchers found that in urban
areas households are willing to pay approximately four Euros per decibel per year for noise reduction.[9]

[edit]Environment

Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals by causing stress, increasing risk of death by changing
the delicate balance in predator/prey detection and avoidance, and by interfering with their use of sounds
in communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead
to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.[10]

An impact of noise on 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 has caused the
death of certain species of whales that beached themselves after being exposed to the loud sound of
military sonar.[11]

Noise also makes species communicate louder, which is called Lombard vocal response.[12] Scientists
and researchers have conducted experiments that show whales' song length is longer when submarine-
detectors are on.[13] If creatures do not "speak" loud 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 louder, it will mask other species' voice,
causing the whole ecosystem to eventually speak louder.

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. [14] The same study showed that daytime noise was
a stronger predictor of nocturnal singing than night-time light pollution, to which the phenomenon is often
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 lead to profound genetic and evolutionary consequences.
Mitigation and control of noise
Main article:  Noise mitigation

The sound tube in Melbourne, Australia, designed to reduce roadway noise without distracting from the area's aesthetics.

Technology to mitigate or remove noise can be applied as follows:

There are a variety of strategies for mitigating roadway noise including: 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 to some extent by design of quieter jet engines, which was pursued
vigorously in the 1970s and 1980s. This strategy has brought limited but noticeable reduction of urban
sound levels. Reconsideration of operations, such as altering flight paths and time of day runway use, has
demonstrated benefits for residential populations near airports. FAA sponsored residential retrofit
(insulation) programs initiated in the 1970s has also enjoyed success in reducing interior  residential noise
in thousands of residences across the United States.

Exposure of workers to Industrial noise has been addressed since the 1930s. Changes include redesign
of industrial equipment, shock mounting assemblies and physical barriers in the workplace.

Noise Free America, a national anti-noise pollution organization, regularly lobbies for the enforcement of
noise ordinances at all levels of government.[17]

Lahore’s ‘quietest’ areas exceed WHO noise limits

Posted on April 10, 2008 by Raza Rumi| 1 Comment
* Health expert says noise pollution can trigger both physiological and psychological problems
Abdul Manan writing in Daily Times
LAHORE: Though the affluent areas of Lahore are quieter than rest of the city, the noise level in these areas is
still far higher than the standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), an Environment Protection
Department (EPD) official told Daily Times on Monday.

Noise intensity is measured in decibels (dB) to illustrate different noise levels. The WHO standard for
residential areas is 45dB, for commerical areas 55 dB, and for industrial areas 65 dB. People can normally bear
noise up to 45 dB, but from 120 dB the ear begins to experience pain, and this level of noise can also impair
hearing if experienced over a long period.

The EPD official said the noise level was recorded at an average of 75 dB in Defence Housing Authority
(DHA), Gulberg and Model Town. He said the average noise level in the industrial areas was recorded as
above 120 dB. “Noise pollution could be dramatically decreased by banning rickshaws,” he said.

He said noise should be considered a nuisance rather than an environmental problem, but that the EPD had not
yet established any standards of noise pollution. “The EPD should propose amendments in the Pakistan
Environment Protection Act 1997 in this regard,” he said, and added that major sources of noise were
generators, vehicles, poor urban planning, factory machinery, construction work, aircraft, and railways.

Noise injures both physically and mentally: Mayo Hospital’s Dr Khalil said unwanted sound was defined as
noise pollution. He said noise affects a person’s level of happiness and ability to perform activities. “Noise
pollution can cause annoyance, aggression, and hypertension, and can impair hearing. Excessive exposure to
loud noises can even cause tinnitus, a disorder in which a person hears sound in the absence of corresponding
external sound,” he said.
Dr Najmul Hassan, an ear, neck and throat (ENT) specialist, said the hearing of young people, even in affluent
areas, was being impaired because of increased levels of noise, including loud music. “Apart from loss of
hearing, consistent exposure to loud noise can cause insomnia, irritability, heartburn, indigestion, ulcers, and
hypertension. Frequent exposure to noise can cause physiological disturbances. High noise levels can
contribute to cardiovascular problems, and exposure to moderately high levels during a single eight hour
period can cause a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to ten points and increase stress levels,” he added.

Zulkarnain Khan, a zoologist, said birds abandoned their habitats when noise levels increased. This could be
the reason less and less birds can now be seen in Lahore, he added. EPD Secretary Shahnawaz Bader said that
the EPD was currently working on gas emissions. The EPD has sent its recommendations to the federal
Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regarding noise pollution, he said, and added that noise could be
dramatically decreased in the city by banning 2-stroke rickshaws and pressure horns. “There are 50,000 2-
stroke rickshaws in the city. About 10,000 4-stroke rickshaws have replaced the old ones, but still there is a
need for 40,000 more such rickshaws,” he said.

Noise Pollution
-  Air Cdre (R) A Wajid Salim, Lahore

NOISE pollution is usually subtle but deadly. It not only destroys hearing ability but also
causes tension and irritability which are harbingers of more serious diseases. 

Sporadic and half-hearted efforts have been made to check this form of pollution by
converting to four-stroke engines for rickshaws and re-designing silencers, etc. For a variety
of reasons, not much success has been achieved and this ever noisy form of transportation
continues to rule the roads. 

The problem of noise gets accentuated by the young who seek thrills by riding motorcycles
and driving cars without silencers. 

The police generally appear helpless in prosecuting these violators. Aircraft noise is yet
another source of pollution which has so far remained unchecked. 

In civilized societies, operation of noisy civil aircraft was gradually stopped a long while ago.
Further protection for the citizens against this hazard was ensured by instituting airport
night curfews and noise abatement procedures. 

In Pakistan, where most major civil airports lie in heavily populated areas, no such
precautionary measures have been taken. Airlines, other than PIA, continue to operate old
Russian commercial aircraft which are exceptionally noisy.

Despite this, the concept of noise abatement or night curfew remains alien to our civil
aviation regulators. Just imagine a Russian old vintage TU 154 taking off from Islamabad
and climbing out on full power, at night, straight over Rawalpindi General Hospital. 

Noise pollution causes infertility and insomnia’

By Iqbal Choudhry

LAHORE Noise pollution up to 91 decibels has been registered in various part of the city by the Punjab
Environmental Protection Agency, which says that only a maximum of 75 decibels should be allowed.

“Noise is a biological stressor that affects the whole body, raises blood pressure, transforms blood
chemistry and impairs hearing,” said the chairperson of the Punjab University’s Department of
Psychology, Dr Rukhsana Kausar, while talking to Daily Times on Monday. Dr Kausar said noise is one
of the most pervasive pollutants, which also causes insomnia and infertility. She said a person affected
by insomnia contracts a variety of behavioural problems such as anxiety, irritability and emotional
stress.

Noise pollution also affects workers by causing mental fatigue, which reduces their morale, motivation
and judgment, said Dr Kausar.

She warned that noise pollution also retards student learning and concentration. She urged the
government to equip vehicles with approved horns and silencers to control noise pollution.
Nadia Raza, a research scholar and clinical psychologist, said noise pollution affects the psyche of a
person and harms their sensitivity. “Noise pollution raises anger, anxiety, blood pressure, causes
cardiac arrests, restlessness and frustration,” said Ms Raza. Violation of traffic laws causes noise
pollution, she said, suggesting the government strictly enforce traffic rules.

Sources within the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency said the city was being hit by the worst
levels of noise pollution. “Around 55 decibels in residential areas and 75 decibel levels in commercial
areas should be mandated to reduce noise pollution,” said the sources.

“We recorded 73 to 91 decibels at Shadman Chowk, 90 at Circular Road, 85 at Kalma Chowk, 86 to 89

at Azadi Chowk, 93 at General Post Office Chowk and 73 to 91 decibels at Railway Station,” said the
sources.

Normally 57 to 63 decibels were recorded at Defence, but the moment an airplane flies over the area,
the level rises to 76 decibels, said the sources.

“The government should ensure smooth traffic flows to minimise noise pollution since horns are
mostly used in traffic jams.

Allama Iqbal International Airport Director Nusratullah Khan said the government should not allow the
construction of housing schemes near airports. “We are trying to control noise pollution caused by our
airplanes,” said Mr Khan.

Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police Hammad Raza said the public is not aware of how to properly
use horns.

Causes Of Noise Pollution 

 Traffic noise is the main source of noise pollution caused in urban areas. With the ever-
increasing number of vehicles on road, the sound caused by the cars and exhaust
system of autos, trucks, buses and motorcycles is the chief reason for noise pollution.
 With the low flying military aircrafts soaring over the national parks, wasteland and other
vacant areas, the level of noise pollution has drastically increased in these previously
unaffected zones.
 People living beside railway stations put up with a lot of noise from locomotive engines,
horns and whistles and switching and shunting operation in rail yards. This is one of the
major sources of noise pollution.
 To meet the demands of the basic necessity of living, the construction of buildings,
highways and city streets causes a lot of noise. Pneumatic hammers, air compressors,
bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks and pavement breakers are the major sources of noise
pollution in construction sites.
 Though not a prime reason, industrial noise adds to the noise pollution. Machinery,
motors and compressors used in the industries create a lot of noise which adds to the
already detrimental state of noise pollution.
 Plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners and fans create a lot of noise in the
buildings and add to the prevailing noise pollution.
 Household equipments, such as vacuum cleaners, mixers and some kitchen appliances
are noisemakers of the house. Though they do not cause too much of problem, their
effect cannot be neglected. 
 Effects of noise pollution
 Human health: Noise pollution disturbs our health and behavior in a number
of ways including deafness causing lack of sleep, irritability, indigestion,
heartburn, high blood pressure, ulcers, and heart disease. Just one noise
explosion from a passing truck drastically alters our endocrinal, neurological,
and cardiovascular functions in many individuals. If this is prolonged or
frequent, the physiological disturbances become chronic and contribute to
mental illness.
 Annoyance: Sometimes, even low levels of noise are irritating and can be
frustrating, and high volumes can be annoying. Natural sounds are less
irritating than those we find uncontrollable but intermittent sounds such as a
tap dripping water can be more irritating than the sound of falling rain.
 Speech interference: Noise more than 50dB can be very difficult to hear
and interpret and cause problems such as partial deafness.
 Sleep interference: Very high levels of noise can wake people from their
sleep with a jerk and keep them awake or disturb their sleep pattern. This
could make them irritable and tired the next day.
 Decreased work performance: Increased noise levels gives rise to a lack
of concentration and accuracy at work, and reduce one’s productivity and
performance. Difficult tasks can be impaired, and instructions or warnings
difficult to be heard and interpreted, causing accidents.
 How to avoid sources of noise pollution
 Traffic: Don’t live or work near major intersections or roads, shopping
centers and sporting facilities. Valleys and falls are noisier than flat roads.
 Barking dogs: As a dog owner, you should take care to see that your dog
doesn’t annoy the neighbors with its barking and yowling.
 Aircraft: Before buying a home, see how far it is from the local airport.
 Neighbors: Be a good neighbor by not annoying those who live next door
with your music or lawn mowing.
 Solving noise problems: Many noise problems can be prevented by
considering others and talking through problems. Be a good and concerned
neighbor by discussing a common problem calmly and in a collaborative spirit
to find a common solution.