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Noise
- what it is?
12. 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."
13. Noise is defined as unwanted sound.
Sound which pleases the listeners is music and that
which causes pain and annoyance is noise. At times,
what is music for some can be noise for others.
14.
Section 2 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981, includes noise in the definition of 'air
pollutant'.
15. Section 2 - "air pollutant"
means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance including
noise present in the atmosphere in such concentration
as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or
other living creatures or plants or property or environment.
16. According to Encyclopedia Britannica:
"In acoustics noise is defined as any undesired
sound."
17. According to Chambers 20th Century
Dictionary, noise means- Sound especially of loud, harsh
or confused kind; a sound of any kind; an over loud
or disturbing sound; frequent or public talk.
18. In Chambers 21st Century Dictionary,
the definition of noise has undergone a change. Noise
pollution stands carved out as a phrase separately from
noise. The two are defined as under:
"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 aeroplane engines."
19. "Pollution" is a noun
derived from the verb "pollute". Section 2
of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 defines "environmental
pollution" to mean the presence in the environment
of any environmental pollutant. Section 2 of the said
Act defines "environmental pollutant" to mean
any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such
concentration as may be, or tends to be injurious to
environment.
20. Thus, the disturbance produced
in our environment by the undesirable sound of various
kinds is called " noise pollution".
II
Noise as nuisance and health hazard
21.
Noise is more than just a nuisance. It constitutes
a real and present danger to people's health. Day and
night, at home, at work, and at play, noise can produce
serious physical and psychological stress. None is immune
to this stress. Though we seem to adjust to noise by
ignoring it, the ear, in fact, never closes and the
body still responds-sometimes with extreme tension,
as to a strange sound in the night.
22. Noise is a type of atmospheric
pollution. It is a shadowy public enemy whose growing
menace has increased in the modern age of industrialization
and technological advancement. Although a soft rhythmic
sound in the form of music and dance stimulates brain
activities, removes boredom and fatigue, but its excessiveness
may prove detrimental to living things. Researches have
proved that a loud noise during peak marketing hours
creates tiredness, irritation and impairs brain activities
so as to reduce thinking and working abilities. Noise
pollution was previously confined to a few special areas
like factory or mill, but today it engulfs every nook
and corner of the globe, reaching its peak in urban
areas. Industries, automobiles, rail engines, aeroplanes,
radios, loudspeakers, tape recorders, lottery ticket
sellers, hawkers, pop singers, etc., are the main ear
contaminators of the city area and its market place.
The regular rattling of engines and intermittent blowing
of horns emanating from the caravan of automobiles do
not allow us to have any respite from irritant noise
even in suburban zones.
23. In the modern days noise has become
one of the major pollutants and it has serious effects
on human health. Effects of noise depend upon sound's
pitch, its frequency and time pattern and length of
exposure. Noise has both auditory and non-auditory effects
depending upon the intensity and the duration of the
noise level. It affects sleep, hearing, communication,
mental and physical health. It may even lead to the
madness of people.
24. However, noises, which are melodious,
whether natural or man-made, cannot always be considered
as factors leading to pollution.
25. Noise can disturb our work, rest,
sleep, and communication. It can damage our hearing
and evoke other psychological, and possibly pathological
reactions. However, because of complexity, variability
and the interaction of noise with other environmental
factors, the adverse health effects of noise do not
lend themselves to a straightforward analysis.
Hearing Loss
"Deafness, like poverty, stunts and deadens its
victims."- says Helen Keller. Hearing loss can
be either temporary or permanent. Noise-induced temporary
threshold shift (NITTS) is a temporary loss of hearing
acuity experienced after a relatively short exposure
to excessive noise. Pre-exposure hearing is recovered
fairly rapidly after cessation of the noise. Noise induced
permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) is an irreversible
loss of hearing that is caused by prolonged noise exposure.
Both kinds of loss together with presbyacusis, the permanent
hearing impairment that is attributable to the natural
aging process, can be experienced simultaneously.
26. NIPTS occurs typically at high
frequencies, usually with a maximum loss at around 4,000
Hz. It is now accepted that the risk of hearing loss
is negligible at noise exposure levels of less than
75 dB(A) Leq (8-hr). Based on national judgments concerning
acceptable risk, many countries have adopted industrial
noise exposure limits of 85 dB(A) +5 dB(A) in their
regulations and recommended practices. [N.B.- Hz. is
abbreviation of Hertz which is the unit of frequency,
equal to one cycle per second. Hertz (Hz) is the name,
by international agreement, for the number of repetitions
of similar pressure variations per second of time; this
unit of frequency was previously called "cycles
per second" (cps or c/s)].
Interference with Communication
27. The interference of noise with
speech communication is a process in which one of two
simultaneous sounds renders the other inaudible. An
important aspect of communication interference in occupational
situations is that the failure of workers to hear warning
signals or shouts may lead to injury. In offices, schools
and homes, speech interference is a major source of
annoyance.
Disturbance of sleep.
28. Noise intrusion can cause difficulty
in falling asleep and can awaken people who are asleep.
Annoyance
29. Noise annoyance may be defined
as a feeling of displeasure evoked by noise. The annoyance
inducing capacity of a noise depends upon many of its
physical characteristics and variations of these with
time. However, annoyance reactions are sensitive to
many non-acoustic factors of a social, psychological,
or economic nature and there are considerable differences
in individual reactions to the same noise.
Effect on performance
30. Noise can change the state of alertness
of an individual and may increase or decrease efficiency.
Performance of tasks involving motor or monotonous activities
is not always degraded by noise. At the other extreme,
mental activities involving vigilance, information gathering
and analytical processes appear to be particularly sensitive
to noise.
Physiological Effects
31. It has been determined that noise
has an explicit effect on the blood vessels, especially
the smaller ones known as pre-capillaries. Overall,
noise makes these blood vessels narrower. Noise causes
the peripheral blood vessels in the toes, fingers, skin
and abdominal organs to constrict, thereby decreasing
the amount of blood normally supplied to these areas.
32. Possible clinical manifestations
of stress concomitant with noise are: (i) galvanic skin
response, (ii) increased activity related to ulcer formation,
(iii) changes in intestinal motility, (iv) changes in
skeletal muscle tension, (v) subjective response irritability
perception of loudness, (vi) increased sugar, cholesterol
& adrenaline, (vii) changes in heart rate, (viii)
increased blood pressure, (ix) increased adrenal hormones,
(x) vasoconstriction. Not only might there be harmful
consequences to health during the state of alertness,
but research also suggests effects may occur when the
body is unaware or asleep. (Source; NOISE EFFECTS HANDBOOK,
A Desk Reference to Health and Welfare Effects of Noise
By Office of the Scientific Assistant, Office of Noise
Abatement and Control, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, October 1979, Revised July 1981)
33. The investigations have revealed
that the blood vessels which feed the brain, dilate
in the presence of noise. This is the reason why headaches
result from listening to persistent high noise.
34. Field studies have also been conducted
on various other groups such as people living near airports,
and school children exposed to traffic noise, showing
that there may be some risk for these people. In addition,
laboratory studies on animals and humans have demonstrated
a relationship between noise and high blood pressure.
Other studies have shown that noise can induce heart
attacks.
35. Prolonged chronic noise can also
produce stomach ulcers as it may reduce the flow of
gastric juice and change its acidity.
With what other stress effects can noise be
associated?
36. Stress can be manifested in any
number of ways, including headaches, irritability, insomnia,
digestive disorders, and psychological disorders. Workers
who are exposed to excessive noise frequently complain
that noise just makes them tired.
37. Quite a few field studies have
been done on workers in Europe, examining the relationship
between noise and illness. In these studies, noise has
been related to the following:
General morbidity (illness); Neuropsychological disturbances-Headaches,
Fatigue, Insomnia, Irritability, Neuroticism; Cardiovascular
system disturbances-Hypertension, Hypotension, cardiac
disease; Digestive disorders-Ulcers, Colitis; Endocrine
and biochemical disorders;
Noise and the unborn.
38. There is ample evidence that environment
has a role in shaping the physique, behavior and function
of animals, including men, from conception and not merely
from birth. The fetus is capable of perceiving sounds
and responding to them by motor activity and cardiac
rate change Lestre W. Sontang, The Fels Research Institute.
(Quoted in Noise: A Health Problem, United States Environmental
Protection Agnency, Office of Noise Abatement and Control,
Washington, D.C., August 1978.).
Special Effects on unborn, children and human
beings generally
39. The fetus is not fully protected
from noise. Noise may threaten fetal development. Noise
has been linked to low birth weights. Levels of noise
which do not interfere with the perception of speech
by adults may interfere significantly with the perception
of speech by children as well as with the acquisition
of speech, language, and language-related skills. Because
they are just learning, children have more difficulty
in understanding language in the presence of noise than
adults do. Reading ability also may be seriously impaired
by noise. Apart from children, the noise pollution causes
several adverse effects on human beings generally. Some
of these are: (i) hearing loss, (ii) nonauditory physiological
response such as stress, arousal response, cardiovascular
effects etc.,(iii) communication interference, (iv)
performance interference, and (v) sleep disturbance
and so on.
III
Sources of Noise Pollution
40.
Noise pollution like other pollutants is also a by-product
of industrialization, urbanization and modern civilization.
41. Broadly speaking, the noise pollution
has two sources, i.e. industrial and non-industrial.
The industrial source includes the noise from various
industries and big machines working at a very high speed
and high noise intensity. Non-industrial source of noise
includes the noise created by transport/vehicular traffic
and the neighbourhood noise generated by various noise
pollution can also be divided into the categories, namely,
natural and manmade.
42. Most leading noise sources will
fall into the following categories: road traffic, aircraft,
railroads, construction, industry, noise in buildings,
and consumer products.
1. Road traffic noise
43. Noise from the motors and exhaust
systems of large trucks provides the major portion of
highway noise impact, and provides a potential noise
hazard to the driver as well. In addition, noise from
the interaction of tyres with the roadway is generated
by trucks, buses, and private autos.
44. In the city, the main sources of traffic noise are
the motors and exhaust systems of autos, smaller trucks,
buses, and motorcycles. This type of noise can be augmented
by narrow streets and tall buildings, which produce
a "canyon" in which traffic noise reverberates.
2. Aircraft noise
45. Nowadays, the problem
of low-flying military aircraft has added a new dimension
to community annoyance, as the nation seeks to improve
its "nap-of-the-earth" warfare capabilities.
In addition, the issue of aircraft operations over national
parks, wilderness areas, and other areas previously
unaffected by aircraft noise has claimed national attention
over recent years.
3. Noise from railroads
46. The noise from locomotive engines, horns and whistles,
and switching and shunting operations in rail yards
can impact neighbouring communities and railroad workers.
For example, 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.Construction noise
47. The noise from construction of
highways, city streets, and buildings is a major contributor
to the urban scene. Construction noise sources include
pneumatic hammers, air compressors, bulldozers, loaders,
dumptrucks (and their back-up signals), and pavement
breakers.
5. Noise in industry
48. Although industrial noise is one
of the less prevalent community noise problems, neighbours
of noisy manufacturing plants can be disturbed by sources
such as fans, motors, and compressors mounted on the
outside of buildings. Interior noise can also be transmitted
to the community through open windows and doors, and
even through building walls. These interior noise sources
have significant impacts on industrial workers, among
whom noise- induced hearing loss is unfortunately common.
6. Noise in buildings
49. Apartment dwellers are often annoyed
by noise in their homes, especially when the building
is not well designed and constructed. In this case,
internal building noise from plumbing, boilers, generators,
air conditioners, and fans, can be audible and annoying.
Improperly insulated walls and ceilings can reveal the
sound of amplified music, voices, footfalls, and noisy
activities from neighbouring units. External noise from
emergency vehicles, traffic, refuse collection, and
other city noises can be a problem for urban residents,
especially when windows are open or insufficiently glazed.
7. Noise from consumer products
50. Certain household equipment,
such as vacuum cleaners and some kitchen appliances
have been and continue to be noisemakers, although their
contribution to the daily noise dose is usually not
very large.
IV
Noise pollution in the special context of Fireworks.
51.
Fireworks are used all over the world to celebrate
special occasions. In India, fireworks are burst on
festivals like Dussehra, Diwali and on special occasions
like social gatherings, marriages, Independence day,
Republic day, New year day, etc. In other countries
of the world, fireworks are generally burst either on
the New Year day or on the birthday of their respective
countries. However, bursting of firecrackers is a health
hazard since it is responsible for both air pollution
and noise pollution.
52. The use of Fireworks has led to air pollution
in the form of noise and smoke. Their excessive use
has started to be a public hazard and violation of their
fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution
of India.
53. It has been held in the case of "Om
Birangana Religious Society v. State, 100 CWN 617"
that the "Freedom of speech and expression guaranteed
under Article 19 of the Constitution of India includes,
by necessary implication, freedom not to listen and/or
to remain silent. A citizen has a right to leisure,
right to sleep, right not to hear and right to remain
silent. He also has the right to read and speak with
others". Because of the tremendous sound and noise,
the citizens cannot exercise all these fundamental rights.
54.
It has been seen that firecrackers noise is an impulsive
noise and is hazardous. Bursting of a firecracker near
the ear can lead sometimes to non-recoverable hearing
loss.
55. Diwali is the most important festival
of India. The bursting of firecrackers during this period
is a wide spread practice. The unpredictable, intermittent
and impulsive noise produced by bursting of crackers
all around, turns the festival of lights into cacophony
of noise. People are unable to even sleep due to this
excessive noise pollution. Several people are injured
due to the noise produced by firecrackers every year.
56. Firecrackers not only increase
the ambient noise level but also contribute significantly
in increasing the air pollution by means of toxic gases
and particles due to their blast wave resulting from
a rapid release of energy.
57. In order to assess the situation
of noise pollution caused by Firecrackers at the time
of Diwali the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
has been conducting ambient noise level monitoring during
Diwali festival regularly at various locations in Delhi
since 1993, to find increased ambient noise level caused
by intensive burning of crackers. As in the past, the
noise and air quality monitoring have been carried out
in the years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. The noise monitoring
locations have been selected to cover almost all areas
of Delhi.
58. An analysis of the reports prepared
in the years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 reveals that
the ambient noise level on Diwali day exceeded the limit
at almost all the places during these years. The noise
level was higher during Diwali-2000 as compared to the
values recorded during Diwali festival in the years
1999, 2001, and 2002.
59. The percentage of violation in
L.eq. noise level varied from 02 to 49% in the year
2002, 12 to 55% in the year 2001, 11 to 58% in the year
2000 and 22 to 47% in the year 1999 with respect to
the daytime standards at all the areas. [N.B. - Equivalent
Continuous Sound Pressure Level, Leq is the level of
that steady sound which over the same interval of time,
contains the same total energy (or dose) as the fluctuating
sound. Equivalent continuous sound level has gained
widespread acceptance as a scale for the measurement
of long-term noise exposure.]
60. The ambient noise level conducted
during the years 1999 to 2002 on Diwali festival, exceeded
the limit at all places in every year and the percentage
of violation varies from 2% to 58%.
61. Thus, the study does reveal that
the noise levels that have been measured on all these
occasions have been more than the prescribed norms.
This is a point of worry as it has been discussed that
noise pollution does tend to have adverse effects on
a person. Thus immediate steps in this direction need
to be taken.
62. The problem of noise pollution
due to firecrackers is not only limited to India. Similar
problems are being experienced in other countries as
well. In fact in United Kingdom, in Nottingham the "Be
Safe Not Sorry" campaign was launched after the
post was inundated with letters from readers to the
newspaper saying they were fed up with the noise, nuisance
and the distress that fireworks cause.
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