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Most of us Indians, are very used to loud music,
television drone, people talking on the phone, traffic noise and even pets
barking in the middle of the night. All of these have become a part of our
everyday life and rarely disturb us. However, when these sounds keeps you from
sleeping at night or the traffic noise gives you a headache, it is then termed
as noise pollution.
By definition, noise pollution takes place when there is either excessive amount
of noise or an unpleasant sound that is unnatural in volume or source, that
causes temporary disruption in the natural balance of our lives.
Causes of Noise Pollution
1. Industrialization: In our city industrial units are
interspersed between residential areas and almost all sounds produced by
industrial machines exceed danger levels of 110 to 115 dB.
2. Poor Urban Planning: Congested houses, large families
sharing small space, fighting over parking space, frequent fights over basic
amenities leads to noise pollution which disrupts the environment of society.
3. Social Events: Marriages, parties, pubs and discos or places
of worship, is where people normally flout rules set by the local administration
and create a nuisance in the area. People listening to loud music and hawkers
shouting their wares add to this nuisance.
4. Transportation: Poor adherence to sound control norms ,
noisy vehicles, modified vehicle exhaust especially bikes and heavy vehicles
plying in residential areas also add to the noise.
5. Construction Activities: Under construction activities like
mining, construction of bridges, dams, buildings, stations, roads, flyovers take
place in almost every part of the world. In Mumbai due to the huge demand for
new housing or repair of old buildings , construction noise is something we all
have to live with .
6. Household Chores: Due to the infiltration of gadgets for
almost everything in our daily lives, homes produce noise from gadgets such as
TV, mobile , mixer- grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners , washing machine
-dryer, cooler, air conditioners etc . While this form of pollution may seem
harmless, it in fact has far reaching consequences.
Effects of Noise Pollution
1. Hearing Problems: Any unwanted sound that our ears have not
been built to filter can cause problems within the body. Man made noises such as
industrial or construction machinery or aircraft engines are too loud. Constant
exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our ear
drums and inner ear nerves, and causes loss of hearing and ringing in the ears.
It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to
regulate our body’s rhythm. Ultra low frequency sounds cause feelings of fear or
awe or presence of something supernatural .
2. Health Issues: Excessive noise pollution in working areas
can influence psychological ill health. Studies show that the occurrence of
aggressive behavior, disturbance of sleep, constant stress, fatigue and
hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. These in turn can cause
more severe and chronic health issues later in life. Obesity , stroke, high
blood pressure, children born with birth defects or low birth weight due to
hormonal disturbances in mothers caused by noise and contraction of blood
vessels all over the body due to noise are some of the more dangerous effects of
noise. Cleft lip , cleft palate and spine deformities in newborns are commonly
caused by noise pollution. At cellular level the body’s cells do not repair as
they should and die off when exposed to loud noise on a regular basis . Immunity
to infections falls and diseases increase frequency of headaches, fatigue,
stomach ulcers, and vertigo all linked to noise exposure.
3. Sleeping Disorders: Poor sleep due to noise disturbance
causes irritation and uncomfortable situations. This leads to low productivity,
constant tiredness and exhaustion , accidents on road or workplace due to poor
concentration , and anger and aggression in social interactions.
4. Cardiovascular Issues: Blood pressure levels,
cardio-vascular disease and stress related heart problems are on the rise.
Studies suggest that high intensity noise causes high blood pressure and
increases heart beat rate as it disrupts the normal blood flow, by contracting
blood vessels all over the body. Fairly typical roadway noise levels are
sufficient to cause this.
5. Trouble Communicating: Due to noise disturbance
conversations may be misunderstood or poorly understood. Constant sharp noise
can give you severe headache and can disturb your emotional balance. In children
, this causes speech and reading difficulties, trouble with understanding words,
poor school performance, writing difficulties (dysgraphia), and raised heart
rates and anxiety.
6. Effect on Wildlife: Pets react more aggressively in
households where there is constant noise. They become disoriented more easily
and face many behavioral problems. This in turn disturbs owners both mentally
and emotionally.
How can one avoid noise pollution
Making barriers to insulate noise producers by
· raising walls along roads , planting trees along roads,
· installing noisy machinery in sound treated rooms,
· installing materials that absorb sound ,
· dissipatingnoise-generating vibrations and placing physical breaks between a
vibrating object and the hearer (example putting a soft material or rubber under
vibrating machines.
· Using good principles of architectural acoustics while building homes.
· Sound proofing living spaces (floor rugs , sealing window frames, hanging
curtains, putting furniture against walls which are transmitting maximum sound
into the room).
Reducing sound levels
· At home, turning off electronics when not in use,
· Running washing machines dishwashers, clothes dryers when you are not in the
room.
· Using vacuum cleaners and mixers for short periods of time .
· Masking or cancelling noise by soft music, simply running a small fan ,
hanging musical chimes or using any other pleasant sound generator to cancel
unpleasant sounds .
· Occasionally moving house if the ambient sound levels are too high and cannot
be controlled is the only option for some people whose health is being seriously
adversely affected by noise pollution.
· lowering the volume of the radio, music system and the television. Listening
to music without headphones
· controlling the sound levels in clubs, bars, parties and discos
· Better urban planning can help in creating ‘No-Noise’ zones, where honking and
industrial noise are not tolerated
Treating the side effects of noise pollution
Is done by doctors and healthcare providers. In case there is hearing loss or
heart or blood pressure problems and a noisy environment is causing it
,treatment of the medical problem by doctors and taking steps to avoid or reduce
the noisy environment is the only course of treatment. See your doctor if you
live in a noisy area or work in a noisy office and have any of the symptoms
mentioned in this article.
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