Sources of Noise

Pollution

Submitted to:

Dr. Riaz Shaikh

Noise:

The word noise is derived from the Latin term nausea. It has been defined as unwanted sound, a potential hazard to health and communication dumped into the environment with regard to the adverse effect it may have on unwilling ears.

Noise can also be defined as unwanted sound. Sound, which pleases the listeners, is music and the sound which causes pain and annoyance is noise. At times, what is music for some can be noise for others.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981):

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 includes noise in the definition of ‘air pollutant’.According to this act “Air Pollutant” can be defined as!

Air pollution means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance including noise present in the atmosphere such concentration as may be or tent to injurious to human beings or other living creatures or plants or property or environment.

Modern Definition:

In 21st century the definition of noise modify somewhat like this!“Noise- a sound; a harsh disagreeable sound, or such sound; a din. Pollution- an excessive or annoying degree of noise in a particular area, e.g. from traffic or aero plane engines.”

Noise can be described as sound without agreeable musical quality or as an unwanted or undesired sound. So noise can be taken as a group of laud, non-harmonious sounds or vibrations that are unpleasant and irritating to ear.

2 Sources of Noise Pollution.

Units of Noise or Sound:

A Decibel is the standard for the measurement of noise. The zero on a decibel scale is at the threshold of hearing, the lowest sound pressure that can be heard, on the scale.

Maximum Level of Noise (dB) Area

20 dB Whisper40 dB Quiet office60 dB Normal conversation80 dB Physically painful sound

Sources of Noise Pollution:

Mainly “Noise Pollution” is classified into two major categories: 1) Natural Sources2) Anthropogenic Sources

Anthropogenic sources are further classified into two major categories that is:

1) Mobile Sources2) Stationary Sources

Classification of Noise:

a) Natural Sources: Noise pollution can affect the surrounding environment by causing negative reactions in people and animals in that environment. While nature is not in itself considered to be a creator of noise pollution, any excessive noise from elements of nature can be overwhelming to nearby inhabitants, and therefore be considered as such. 1) Insects: Insects can be very noisy and therefore a natural form of noise pollution, e.g.; rickets chirping on summer nights to the enormous swarms of Cicada that live around the world, bugs can create a lot of noise.

2) Birds:

3 Sources of Noise Pollution.

Birds are naturally noisy creatures, singing and chirping everywhere all the time, except during times of the year when they migrate to cooler or warmer climates. 3) Animals:

The pets and animals that live on nearby farms can moo, bark, squeal, squawk, quack and wail. These noises combined can certainly create noise pollution.

4) Thundering and Lightening:Thundering and lightening of clouds create intense noise which frightened the people around.

5) Storms and High Winds:High winds and storms can block out all other noise and cause fear in those experiencing the storm, even if there is no threat.

6) Sound of waves: Sound of waves on sea shore produce an intense noise on the shoreline

areas.

b) Anthropogenic Sources:

There is a great amount of anthropogenic sources of noise pollution such

as!

i. Road Traffic Noise:The main sources of traffic noise are the motors and exhaust system of autos, smaller trucks, buses, and motorcycles.

ii. Air Craft Noise:Low flying military aircraft produces intense noise pollution and gained public attention during the recent years.

iii. Noise from railroads:Rail car retarders can produce a high frequency, high level screech that can reach peak levels of 120 dB at a distance of 100 feet, which translates to levels as high as 138, or 140 dB at the railroad worker’s ear.

4 Sources of Noise Pollution.

iv. Construction Noise:Different kind of equipment’s used in the construction produces intense noise pollution.

v. Noise in Industry:Industrial noise is one of the less prevalent community noise problems. Neighbors of noisy manufacturing plants can be disturbed by sources such as fans, motors, and compressors etc.

vi. Military exercises and Defense programmes:Launching of rockets, explosions, shooting ranges and military exercises are also causes intense noise pollution.

vii. Mining operations:Mining operations also create loud noise in the surrounding areas of mining.

viii. Public addressing tools:Public addressing Tools also create intense noise pollution such as uses of loud speakers etc.

ix. Public Noise:Noise produces in the public areas is too much intense such as in the parks, underground railway stations etc.

Mobile and Stationary sources of noise pollution:Anthropogenic sources are further classified into two major categories that is!

I. Mobile sourcesII. Stationary sources

Mobile and stationary sources are shown in the following table

Mobile sources Stationary sources

Transportation Industrial noise

Rail roads Boilers noise

Air crafts Construction activities

5 Sources of Noise Pollution.

Storms and Winds Generators

Vehicles Gas stations

6 Sources of Noise Pollution.