Noise Pollution

IntroductionNoise pollutionNoise pollution is excessive, is excessive,

displeasing human, animal or machine-displeasing human, animal or machine-created created environmental noise that that disrupts the activity or balance of human disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. The word or animal life. The word noise comes comes from the Latin word from the Latin word nauseas, meaning , meaning seasickness.seasickness.

The source of most outdoor noise The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly worldwide is mainly construction and and transportation systems, including , including motor vehicle noise, noise, aircraft noise and and rail noise..[1][2] Poor Poor urban planning may may give rise to noise pollution, since side-give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential area.the residential area.

Causes of Noise PollutionThe sources/causes of noise pollution increased or The sources/causes of noise pollution increased or

probably originated with the invention of machines. probably originated with the invention of machines. The various noise pollution causes are:-The various noise pollution causes are:-

1) 1) TrafficTraffic:: It is the biggest source of noise pollution It is the biggest source of noise pollution in today's times, especially in urban areas. Thus, in today's times, especially in urban areas. Thus, traffic problems created by these vehicles is an traffic problems created by these vehicles is an important source of noise pollution. The sound important source of noise pollution. The sound produced by the exhaust systems of trucks, autos, produced by the exhaust systems of trucks, autos, buses, etc. cause a lot of noise.buses, etc. cause a lot of noise.

2) 2) Railway StationsRailway Stations: : Locomotive engines of trains Locomotive engines of trains are an important source of noise pollution. The are an important source of noise pollution. The whistles and horns being used by the railway whistles and horns being used by the railway employees add to the effect and increase noise employees add to the effect and increase noise pollution.pollution.

3) 3) AircraftAircraft: : The national parks and wastelands were The national parks and wastelands were earlier considered to be the pollution free zones and earlier considered to be the pollution free zones and people traveled to these places for relaxation. people traveled to these places for relaxation. Nowadays, however, the sound created by low flying Nowadays, however, the sound created by low flying military aircraft causes noise pollution in these areas military aircraft causes noise pollution in these areas too.too.

Effects of Noise Pollution1)1) Human EffectsHuman Effects: : Noise health effects are both are both

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

2)2) Wild life Effects: Wild life Effects: Noise can have a detrimental Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals, increasing the risk of death by effect on animals, increasing the risk of death by changing the delicate balance in predator or prey changing the delicate balance in predator or prey detection and avoidance, and interfering the use of detection and avoidance, and interfering the use of the sounds in communication especially in relation the sounds in communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.loss of hearing.

Prevention of Noise PollutionThere are a variety of strategies for mitigating There are a variety of strategies for mitigating

roadway noise including: use of including: use of noise barriers, , limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of roadway limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of roadway surface texture, limitation of surface texture, limitation of heavy vehicles, use of , use of traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and acceleration, and tire design. An braking and acceleration, and tire design. An important factor in applying these strategies is a important factor in applying these strategies is a computer modelcomputer model for for roadway noiseroadway noise, that is capable of , that is capable of addressing local addressing local topographytopography, , meteorologymeteorology, traffic , traffic operations and hypothetical mitigation. Costs of operations and hypothetical mitigation. Costs of building-in mitigation can be modest, provided these building-in mitigation can be modest, provided these solutions are sought in the planning stage of a solutions are sought in the planning stage of a roadway project.roadway project.

Using loudspeakers without valid permission or Using loudspeakers without valid permission or in contravention of conditions contained in the in contravention of conditions contained in the permission is prohibited. Contravention is punishable permission is prohibited. Contravention is punishable with imprisonment for six months or fine Rs. 1000/- or with imprisonment for six months or fine Rs. 1000/- or both under the Control of Noise Act. We appeal to the both under the Control of Noise Act. We appeal to the public to prevent  Noise Pollution in the city. public to prevent  Noise Pollution in the city. Complaints against misuse of loudspeakers be made Complaints against misuse of loudspeakers be made to the Police Control Room/ Concerned Police to the Police Control Room/ Concerned Police Stations. Stations.

ConclusionThe different measures that one could undertake in The different measures that one could undertake in

order to reduce noise pollution are mentioned below. order to reduce noise pollution are mentioned below. The major noise pollution causes or sources are the The major noise pollution causes or sources are the automobiles and different types of machines. Regular automobiles and different types of machines. Regular servicing of automobiles could help in reducing the servicing of automobiles could help in reducing the intensity of sound produced by them. Lubricating the intensity of sound produced by them. Lubricating the machines used in day-to-day life prove to be helpful machines used in day-to-day life prove to be helpful in their smooth (noiseless) functioning. Use of in their smooth (noiseless) functioning. Use of loudspeakers should be prohibited in public places. loudspeakers should be prohibited in public places. Soundproofing materials need to be used in the Soundproofing materials need to be used in the house to reduce nose pollution.house to reduce nose pollution.

The different noise pollution causes and their effects The different noise pollution causes and their effects are explained in the above article. One should are explained in the above article. One should undertake appropriate noise pollution solutions to undertake appropriate noise pollution solutions to minimize harmful effects of noise pollution.minimize harmful effects of noise pollution.

- Presented bySaikat

Rakshit.