View of NOISE POLLUTION IN INDIA: ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN

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Vol.01, Issue 06, October 2016, ISSN -2456-1037 (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL)

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NOISE POLLUTION IN INDIA: ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN

Krishan Kumar Lecturer in Zoology Govt. College, Bibirani (Alwar)

Abstract - Sound that is unwanted and which disrupts the quality of life is known as noise.

When there is lot of noise in the environment it is called noise pollution. Sound becomes undesirable when it disturbs the normal activities such as working, sleeping and conversation. It is an underrated problem as we cannot see, smell or taste it. WHO state that noise must be recognized as a major threat to human’s well being. Noise can be defined as unwanted sound that affect the people and the environment as explained by MC Kinney, Schoch and Yonavjak (2007) According to USEPA, there are direct links between noise and health. Noise pollution affect both physiological and psychological health of human beings.

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in humans is the major problem due to noise pollution.

Key words:-Noise pollution, decibels, Humans, Traffic

1 INTRODUCTION

India is a noisy country. We all Indians perhaps like noise pollution. Noise pollution is one of the major environmental concerns in India and even many are unaware of the hazards it can cause. It is very unfortunate that we all are subjected to some form of loud noises for a considerable amount of time, during the day. It is a problem of daily to bear with the unnecessary havoc caused by the honking on the roads, the madness created by the loudspeakers, the expression of gladness in festivals, processions or Jhulus are carried out in the residential area etc. In India it has become a perception of the people that happiness can be expressed by creating loud noise. Even a child-birth in rural areas is informed by the crackling sounds created by kitchen utensils. New technologies must be used which reduced Noise at the source (Lusk et al.2004)

Aim of the study:- The main aim of the study is to observe the effects of noise pollution on human beings in India.

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Tandel and Macwan (2012) carried out assessment and modeling of urban traffic noise at major arterial roads of Surat. In India, transportation demands in urban areas continue to increase rapidly as a result of both of population growth and changes in travel patterns. The recognition of road traffic noise as one of the main sources of environmental pollution has led to develop models that enable to predict noise level from fundamental variables. Therefore, this study was carried out to generate a noise

33 prediction model and to analyze various parameters affecting road traffic noise. The study reveals that present noise level at all three major arterial roads exceed the limit prescribed by CPCB.

Based on the finding, it can be said that the persons nearby these roads are exposed to significantly high noise levels and hence necessary mitigation measures should be adopted. A case study of noise pollution in crowded localities in Chennai is presented. Noise level were measured at two very important locations situated on OMR, a software hub of the State, i.e., one near the Toll Plaza and the other at an intersection near SRP Tools. None of the places recorded the day time permissible value of below 45 dBA. The maximum recorded value was 105 dBA.

Dr. T.S. Thandavamoorthy carried out research on this topic. Various researchers have concluded about noise pollution ,its severity and control about different areas.

3 METHODS AND METHODOLOGY This is a secondary data research .This study collected information of noise pollution and its effects in India from various Journals, Books and the Publications in various websites.

3.1 Discussion

Noise pollution means an unwanted or undesirable sound that leads to physical and mental problems. Noise pollution is dependent on the loudness and frequency of the sound. In fact, when the sound exceeds its limit, it becomes fatal for human and other organisms. The noise intensity is measured in decibels or dB. A

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2 person can bear the noise up to 85 decibels, after which his hearing power can be damaged. Normally, sounds more intense than 30 decibel are called noise.

Anyway, all the sounds come under noise pollution which makes the mind turbulent or restless. In fact, any unwanted noise arising in the environment, which has adverse effects on the health of the organism, is noise pollution. The World Health Organization considers the sound of 45 decibels ideal for cities. But measurement of sound in most big cities exceeds 90 decibels. Noise pollution is short –lived or transient unlike other forms of environmental pollutions. Therefore once the sound generation is stopped the problem is also solved. The source of Noise pollution should be kept away from human residential environment. It can be performed by insulation, physical barrier (wall etc), landscaping and buffering areas establishments in the community as explained by MC Kinney, Schoch and Yonavjak (2007). The industrial areas should be away from residential areas.

Together with air ,soil and water pollution noise has also been acknowledged as a serious pollutants. The world has faced more severe noise

pollution due to industrialization and Urbanization.

3.2 Ambient Air Quality Noise Standards (AAQNS)

Most of the countries, keeping in view the alarming increase in environmental noise pollution, have given the permissible noise standards. these are depending on the location and period of day. Industrial areas obviously have somewhat higher acceptable sound levels than those prescribed for residential areas. The collected night standards are stringent than the daytime standards.

3.3 Standards by Law in India

Noise has been recognized as ambient air pollutant. Standards in this regard are laid down under Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and under the Model Rules of the Factories Act, 1948. The Central Pollution Control Board constituted a Committee on Noise Pollution Control.

The Committee recommended noise standards for ambient air and for automobiles, domestic appliances and construction equipment, which were later notified in Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 as given below in Table.

Area Code Category of Area Limits in dB Day Time Night Time

A Industrial 75 70

B Commercial 65 55

C Residential 55 45

D Silence Zone 50 40

3.4 Recommended noise levels by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Bureau of Indian Standards has recommended acceptable noise levels in residential areas, injury range and safe range are as given in Table below.

Acceptable noise levels in Residential areas

S.No. Location Acceptable noise level in

residential areas in dB

1 Rural 25-35

2 Sub urban 30-40

3 Residential(urban) 35-45

4 Urban(Residential and business) 40-45

5 City 45-50

6 Industrial area 50-60

In India different research scholars have conducted various studies on noise pollution. Out of these studies comparison of noise levels has been tabulated as:-

Comparison of noise levels from different studies in India

City name/scholar name Silent zone Residential area

Commercial area

Industrial zone Kolhapur

Mangalekar et al (2012)

50.2 58.88 65.52 74.28

Melmaruvathur

Dinesh Kumar et al (2012)

36.50-92.60 51.40-102.40 42.60-102.40 40.20-99.20 Vishakapatnam

Vidyasagar et al (2006)

43.0-60.00 45.00-77.00 70.00-90.00 -

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Ambur

Thangadurai et al (2005)

47.20-80.40 30.60-83.60 40.00-96.40 -

Burdwan Datta et al (2006)

60.00-90.00 69.00-110.00 -

Bolpur- Santiniketan Pratapkumar et al (2006)

20.50-78.50 25.00-80.50 42.00-98.00 -

Gwalior

Kursheed et al (2010)

45.50-69.30 51.70-77.20 64.50-119.20 -

Lucknow

Narendra et al (2004)

- 67.70-78.90 67.70-78.90 -

Dehradun

Avinash et al (2010)

55.60- 104.80 55.30-107.60 59.60-118.20 74.80-104.30 Mangalore

Sanjeeb et al (2012)

43.20-97.20 50.60-97.00 56.00-99.00 51.00-91.80 Chidambaram Balashanmugam

et al (2013) 54.33-84.33

57.00-75.60 86.00-101.00 -

From the observed noise level in various studies carried out in different parts of India it was found that, all other urban areas faced similar trend of noise pollution. Thus, there is a need to create awareness among the people and educate the citizens about the rising noise pollution; health effects, etc. Therefore a key message that has to be disseminated is that control of noise at individual’s level will control noise pollution..

Guidelines on noise pollution by MoEF (GOI):-

S. No. Category of Domestic Appliances/Construction Equipments Noise Limits in dB

1 Window Air conditioner of 1 Ton to 1.5 ton 68

2 Air Coolers 60

3 Refrigerators -

4 Diesel Generator for Domestic Purposes 85-90

5 Compactors (rollers),front loaders, concrete mixers, vibrators and saw 75

4 NOISE POLLUTION IN INDIA

According to a recent report of Central Pollution Control Board, the level of noise in Mumbai is highest in the country.

Delhi is on the fourth number. However, Lucknow is at the second place with Hyderabad placed at the third slot in terms of noise pollution. In its report, CPCB has said that Mumbai had the highest level of noise pollution during 2011-12. According to the report, due to greenery and number of roadside trees, noise pollution has been somewhat restrained in Delhi. But in the World Hearings Index, Delhi has become the world’s fifth largest noisiest city. In Delhi, ITO and Anand Vihar are the places which have recorded the worst noise.

According to the recent statistics of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, noise was recorded up to 74 decibels between 12 to 2 pm at ITO, whereas in the afternoon. Apart from the number of vehicles, noise pollution in the country can be attributed to the rising number of to vehicles, train, aircraft, generator sets, office machines, and construction activities. In India, the noise of more than 75 decibels (up to one meter distance from the source of the sound) is illegal from 10 am to 6 am. Those convicted in violation of these rules, under Section 290

and 291 of the Indian Penal Code, can face a fine of one lakh rupees or a prison or up to five years, sentence may run simultaneously, under the Environment Protection Act 1986.In this connection, the Division bench of the then Chief Justice RC Lahoti and Justice Ashok Bhan on 18^th July, 2005 had issued directions under Section 141, 142 of the Constitution, regarding restrictions on vehicles, loud speakers and crackers etc.

in residential areas from 10 am to 6 am.

4.1 Effects of noise pollution

A study shows that more closer to sound source , the more of its adverse effects on us. Noise pollution is not new but it has become a problematic with the increase of Industrialization and urbanization of the world. The hazardous effects of noise depend on its intensity (loudness in decibels), duration and frequency (high or low). High and low pitch is more damaging than middle frequencies and white noise covering the entire frequency spectrum is less harmful than noise of a specific pitch.

CSE –Centre of Science and Environment has confirmed in 2011 that New Delhi is noisy city in India. The level of noise is above 100 decibels which is more than recommended level in the residential

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4 areas of 50-55 decibels. It seems that we have accepted noise as a part of our lives regardless of the adverse psychological and physiological effects it has on our lives as explained by Kumar (2004).One of the most prevalent effects of noise pollution is temporary or permanent deafness and all those who work or live in noisy areas suffer from hearing impairment. The various ill effects caused by noise pollution are as :-

4.2 Physiological effects

Various physiological as well as pathological effects of noise pollution are as:-

 The most immediate and the acute effect of noise is the impairment of hearing when exposed to loud and sudden noise, acute damage occur to the ear drum .Prolonged exposure to noise of certain frequency pattern will lead to chromic damage to the hair cells in the inner ear Temporary deafness occur at 4000-6000 Hz .permanent loss of hearing 100 dB due to continuous noise exposure.

150 dB cause acoustic trauma .

 Blood thickened by excessive noise .Loud and sudden noise can cause damage to brain also.

 You cannot only be deaf but can also come in the grip of deadly illnesses like impotence and cancer, besides problems such as lack of memory, concentration, and interruption in speech, irritation, irritability, stress and depression.

 The noise not only creates irritability, anger, but also accelerates the heart rate by increasing blood flow in the arteries. The constant noise increases the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which contracts blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

 Health experts believe that rising noise gives rise to neurological disease, nervous breakdown, hypertension, vision, dizziness, excessive sweating, exhaustion

 As rapid noise hinders sleep, insomnia has adverse effects on human functioning. The person becomes irritable, angry, tired and

tense, and he even becomes neurotic or crazy.

 Exposure to the noise of 180 decibels intensity may result in the death of man.

 Due to excessive noise, there is a decrease in the production of digestive juices.

 Noise pollution has a lot of adverse effect on infants and women, sometimes due to loud velocity of sound, women also undergo miscarriage or the foetus’s heart stops and the entire behavior of the infant can change. Children imbibe forgetful tendencies.

 The sound effects of noise pollution caused by nuclear explosions spread through hundreds of kilometers so that biodiversity is threatened.

 Due to excessive noise, there is a disruption in the studies of children too, as they do not get peaceful environment for study even in their homes.

 The effect of noise is dangerous for animal life too. Due to continuous noise, their habitat decreases and the threatened creatures reach the brink of extinction. The most notable of the deadly effects of noise pollution is that some species of whale die due to noise.

 Noise pollution has extremely harmful effects on other organisms and vegetation. Due to frequent noise, animals and birds leave their habitat and move away.

Animals and birds migrate from the forest areas near the mining areas and high traffic roads. Due to acute sound waves, birds may even stop laying eggs.

 Noise effects are anxiety, stress reaction and fright. These adverse reaction are due to change in the concentration of hormones in blood which causes increase heart beat dilation of pupil of eye .It causes contraction of blood vessels makes the skin pale ,leads to more secretion of adrenaline hormone which increase blood pressure .

4.3 Psychological effects of noise pollution -

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 Depression and fatigue which ultimately and largely reduce the efficiency of humans.

 Insomnia, due to lack of undisturbed and refreshing sleep.

 It is a cause of frustration.

 Noise which is an annoyance also causes irritation dis-satisfaction and dis-interest.

5 CONCLUSIONS

Noise pollution is causing havoc not only to human beings but also causing problems to other animals. Traffic noise pollution is increasing at an alarming rate especially in urban areas .Use of loudspeakers is also increasing. Due to noise pollution still birth are taking place.

Naturally also noise pollution is generated but anthropogenic is of main concern. We should abide by rules and regulations.

New active Noise Control (ANC ) technologies may assist in dealing with noise pollution in the years ahead through the use of digital processor that convert analog sounds into digital signals, allowing computer generated anti-noise to erase sound with sound (Alper, 1991).There are many legal provisions to control or check the noise pollution. Many laws and acts have been amended to prevent the noise pollution but serious implementation of these laws has not yet taken shape. Keep the noise down otherwise noise will keep your hearing down.

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