Noise pollution

What is noise pollution?

• Noise pollution is any unwanted or offensive sounds that unreasonably disturb our daily lives

How is sound measured?

• The sound pressure level is measured in decibels (dB).

• A sound level meter is used to measure the decibel levels of sound.

SOUND LEVEL (dB) PERCEPTION EXAMPLE

120 Extreme jet take off at 100 m

100 Loud car horn

90 Very loud heavy traffic

80 Noisy office

60 Average office

50 Noisy normal conversation

20 Quiet room

10 Very faint normal breathing

When does sound become noise?

• People react to sounds in different ways. Some sounds can distract us and break our concentration. When this happens, the sound becomes unwanted noise.

• Often it is not the pitch or the loudness that makes a sound annoying. Sometimes it is the repetitive nature of the sound and our inability to control it that makes it annoying. Car alarms and the seemingly endless barking of a dog are good examples.

What are the causes of noise pollution?

• Traffic• Construction• Aircraft• Dogs barking• Lawn mowers• Music from cafes & private residences etc.• Neighbours• Alarms (house, car)• Electrical appliances (AC, TV etc.)

Some things can amplify noise

• High density housing• Mixed business/residential areas• Busy roads through residential areas• Poor insulation

Traffic noise

• At low speeds, most traffic noise is caused by vehicle engines, exhausts and brakes. The stop-start braking and acceleration during peak-hour congestion also increases noise levels.

• Motorways emit a constant noise.• Trucks and motorcycles are responsible for the peak

noises against the background rumble. These sharp and intermittent noises are more likely to cause sleep disturbances and to contribute to other physical and psychological problems.

What are the effects of noise pollution?

• stress• sleeplessness, fatigue• hearing problems / deafness• poor concentration • productivity loss in the workplace • loss of psychological well-being

Extreme noise

• At its most extreme, -instant and permanent hearing loss can occur.

• Explosive sounds with peak noise levels of 140 decibels (dB) or more can destroy cells in inner ear and cause permanent deafness.

• Extended exposure to loud noise can also lead to long-term hearing loss.

• A noise level of 85 dB, should be sustained by a worker for no more than 8 hours a day. This is about the same as the noise level in a street with heavy traffic. Higher noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss unless protective measures are taken.

Damage to more than hearing • Research has shown that people living near airports or

busy roads have a higher incidence of headaches, take more sleeping pills and sedatives, are more prone to minor accidents, and are more likely to seek psychiatric treatment.

• Exposure to high noise levels has also been shown to lead to a range of physical symptoms such as accelerated heartbeat, high blood pressure, gastro-intestinal problems and chronic fatigue. Some of these problems are relatively easy to treat medically, but other psychological effects such as insomnia, nervousness, anxiety and depression can be longer lasting.

Effects on wildlife

Laboratory studies and limited field research have uncovered four major ways in which animals are adversely affected by noise pollution:

-hearing loss, resulting from noise levels of 85 db or greater; -masking, which is the inability to hear important environmental cues and animal signals; -non-auditory physiological effects, such as increased heart rate and respiration and general stress reaction; and -behavioural effects, which vary greatly between species and noise characteristics, resulting in, for example, abandonment of territory and lost reproduction.

Sooty FalconOnly 6 breeding pairs left.Have been affected by noises and loss of territory from city encroachment.

Mitigation

• Sound insulation• Double glazing• Solid doors• Sound walls (concrete) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aucUfLdIUqU&feature=related

• Cul-de-sacs (no-through roads)• Ear plugs / ear muffs• Standards, regulation & enforcement

CoP 14 Noise Management

Aims:Control and undertake actions to control noise levels to protect the community and the environment

• Generators of noise are responsible for their noise emissions

• A business may be required to monitor and report their noise emissions.

• All stakeholders are expected to work cooperatively to reduce impact from noise on the community and the environment.

Development approval

• List impacts –who, how long, at what intensity• These are considered alongside other noises

in the vicinity, as well as views of affected people

Development

• Where a proposed development exceeds permitted noise levels, “social worth” is considered

Construction sites

• Noise permitted only between:• 7am-8pm (weekdays)• 9am-7pm (weekends)

• This includes all related noises (vehicles, demolition etc.)

• Equipment and tools are to be used in a way that minimises noise emissions

Vehicles

• Vehicles must comply with standards regarding engine noise and horn sounds.

Building alarms

• Must turn off automatically after 5 minutes

Cafes

• Music to be directed inwards• Music must cease after 10pm in residential

areas

Workers

• May be required to use earplugs and / or earmuffs –employer to provide

• Employer to provide training on their use• Warning signs to be located as appropriate• Medical checks provided by employer

Employer

• To keep complete and accurate records of noise measurements, medical records etc.

• Each sector is responsible for issuing (or withdrawing) permits, work approvals etc. to businesses who are compliant / non-compliant

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