SOUND POLLUTION / NOISE POLLUTION
Increase in the noise in the atmosphere is called noise pollution or sound pollution. Noise is a loud and unwanted or unpleasant sound. The common things which are responsible for noise pollution are - industries and mills, means of transportation, television, stereo, loud speakers and jet plane etc.
Intensity : The intensity of sound is measured in bel or decibel [1 bel = 10 decibel]. A man can hear at 0-decibel. Normally at 25 decibel, the atmosphere may be peaceful. Above 80 decibel intensity of sound is called noise pollution.
Effect : It causes drowsiness, irritation, weakness and 130-140 decibel causes heart pain. Noise pollution reduces the capacity of hearing and results in headache. Sudden excitation in skin, constriction of gastric muscles starts above the 90 decibel. It also produces excitation in habit of man and anger. Noise pollution causes ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, higher secretion of adrenal hormones etc. Excluding these, high intensity of sound can also break down the walls of the houses and burning of rubber.
Control :
Noise pollution can be controlled by the use of such type of apparatus which can decrease the intensity of sound at place of origin. Sound absorber must be used to minimise the sound. Excluding this growing of more plants can also minimise the noise pollution.
Green muflur scheme. Tree such as neem and ashoka absorb sound to a great extent, along road side.
Day Time | Night Time | |
Industrial | 75 dB | 70 dB |
Commercial | 65 dB | 55 dB |
Residential | 55 dB | 45 dB |
Silence zone | 50 dB | 40 dB |
Very Quiet | 20 – 30 dB | Sound quiet place is – 20 dB, Motion Picture studio, Broadcasting studio |
Silence/Quiet | 30/35 – 50 dB | Hospitals (30 – 35), Schools (45 – 50), Libraries (45 – 50), Offices (40 – 50) |
Normal voice | 55 dB | |
Conversational speech | 60 dB | |
Moderately Loud | 70 dB - 90 dB | Factories (60 – 65 dB) Average traffic – 70 dB Heavy city traffic – 90 dB |
Uncomfortable | above 100 dB | Air craft (120 dB) |
Painful | above 130 dB | Rocket (180 dB) Jet plane (150 dB) |
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