NOISE

POLLUTION
WHAT IS NOISE POLLUTION?
 Sound that is unwanted or disrupts one’s quality of life is
called as noise. When there is lot of noise in the
environment, it is termed as noise pollution.

 Sound becomes undesirable when it disturbs the normal

activities such as working, sleeping, and during
conversations.

 It is an underrated environmental problem because of the

fact that we can’t see, smell, or taste it.

 World Health Organization stated that “Noise must be

recognized as a major threat to human well-being”
SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION
 Transportation systems are the main source of noise pollution
in urban areas.

 Construction of buildings, highways, and streets cause a lot of

noise, due to the usage of air compressors, bulldozers,
loaders, dump trucks, and pavement breakers.

 Industrial noise also adds to the already unfavorable state of

noise pollution.

 Loud speakers, plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners,

fans, and vacuum cleaners add to the existing noise pollution.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL
NOISE POLLUTION.
This is posing to be a big challenge with very passing
day and is a threat to safety and health of the people
who are working in the industry and common people
as well. It has been scientifically proved that noise
more than 85 decibels can cause hearing impairment
and does not meet the standards set for healthy
working environment.
Industrial Noise resulting to noise pollution has many
reasons such as industries being close to human
habitats which prevents the noise from decaying
before it reaches human ear. 
EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL NOISE
POLLUTION
It has already been stated that continuous exposure to
noise pollution leads to hearing impairment but it has
various other effects as well which are as follows:
 It can result into increase in blood pressure
 Increased stress
 Fatigue
 Stomach ulcers
 vertigo
 Headaches.
 Sleep disturbance
 Annoyance
 Speech Problems
 Dysgraphia, which means writing learning impairment
 Aggression
 Anxiety
 Withdrawal
ROAD TRANSPORTATION NOISE
 Road accounts for approximately 70% of total noise
emissions by transportation. It must be noted that
different road transportation modes have different
scales of noise emissions.
 Main sources of noise come from the engine and
the friction of the wheels over the road surface.
Further, travel speed and the intensity of traffic are
directly linked with its intensity of noise. For instance,
one truck moving at 90 km/hr makes as much noise as
28 cars moving at the same speed.
 Ambient noise is a frequent result of road transportation in urban areas.
The addition of all the noise generated by cars, trucks and buses creates
a permanent ambient noise (ranging from 45 to 65 db) that impairs the
quality of life in urban areas and thus the property values of residences.
Nearby road arterials, ambient noise is replaced by direct noise and
vibrations. The acoustics created by the surrounding environment (hills,
buildings, trees, open space, etc.) alleviate or worsen local conditions.

 Noise level grows arithmetically with speed. For instance a car traveling
at 20 km/hr emits 55 db of rolling noise, at 40 km/hr 65 db, at 80 km/hr
75 db and at 100 km/hr 80 db. Available evidence underlines that
around 45% of the population in developed countries live in high levels
of noise intensity (over 55 db) generated by road transportation. Along
major highway arterials in inter-urban areas, noise emissions are likely
to alter the living environment of wildlife species.
RAIL TRANSPORTATION NOISE
 Rail accounts for 10% of total noise emissions by
transportation. Noise comes from the engine (mostly
diesel), the friction of wheels over the rails, and whistle
blowing. Furthermore, when trains are moving at high
speed, aeroacoustic (a branch of acoustics that studies
noise generation via either turbulent fluid motion
or aerodynamic forces interacting with surfaces)
noise becomes more important than other sources.
Depending of the train aerodynamics, noise emissions
are from 50 to 80 times the logarithm of train speed and
become significant at speeds higher than 200 km/hr.
 When rail / truck transshipment is involved, the convergence of
trucks towards rail yards provides an additional source of noise
related to rail transportation activities.

 Around 3% of the population may be exposed to high noise

levels from rail transportation in OECD countries. The level of
exposure is obviously related to the importance and location of
rail transportation infrastructure. The most important noise
impacts of rail operations are in urban areas where the majority
transshipment functions are performed. Furthermore, rail
terminals are often located in the central and high density areas
of cities.
AIR TRANSPORTATION NOISE
 Air transportation accounts for 20% of total noise
emissions by transportation. As air transportation took
a growing importance in inter-city transportation and
that jet engines were predominantly used, noise
emissions have increased significantly to the point of
becoming a major concern near airports.
 Noise comes from the jet engine, the aerodynamic
friction and ground craft operations. Even if the turbofan is the
least noisy jet propulsion technology available, aircrafts are an
acute source of noise in several urban areas. Noise from aircraft
operation is known to have direct impact on property values
around airports. This effect is distributed along major approach
and take off lanes.

 The establishment of heavily used flight paths between major

cities creates noise corridors where ambient noise is almost
prevalent. This is particularly noted when those corridors are
over densely populated areas.
INTENSITY MEASUREMENTS
AND MONITORING
 The loudness of noise is measured by decibels (db). Decibel
scales are logarithmic rather than linear. Thus, the change
from 40 db (a library) to 80 db (a dishwasher or garbage
disposal) represents a ten-thousandfold increase in sound
loudness.

 The frequency or pitch of a sound is also a factor in

determining its degree of harm. High pitched sounds are the
most annoying.

 The most common sound pressure scale for high pitched

sounds is the A scale, whose units are written “dbA”. Hearing
loss begins with prolonged exposure (eight hours or more per
day) to 80 or 90 dbA levels of sound pressure. Sound pressure
becomes painful at around 140 dbA and can kill at 180 dbA.
INTENSITY OF NOISE
Sound of source Intensity in decibels

 Jet craft at take off 145

 Pain occurs 140
 Hydraulic pressure 130
 Jet airplane (160m overhead) 120
 Unmuffled motorcycle 110
 Subway train 100
 Farm tractor 98
 Gasoline lawnmower 96
 Food blender 93
 Heavy truck (15m away) 90
 Heavy city traffic 90
 Vaccum cleaner 85
 Hearing loss after long exposure 85
 Garbage disposal unit 80
 Diswasher 65
 Window air conditioner 60
 Normal speech 60
IMPACTS OF NOISE POLLUTION
 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT 

If sound waves consist of regular vibrations it is often

judged to be pleasing, whereas random wave forms are
experienced as noise. Excessive noise results in hearing
becoming dull and decreased hearing sensitivity. This
effect is at first temporary and should the person remain
in a quiet environment their hearing soon recovers.
Exposure to very loud noise or repeated exposure to
more moderate noise may result in permanent hearing
loss. Induced hearing loss can be prevented but can
never be cured. The danger is that a person may not
perceive the noise to be a problem, but may already
have experienced hearing loss.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Noise can create a stress response in humans, affecting the

endocrine, nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems.
Adaptation and habituation can occur, but prolonged exposure
may lead to any of the diseases of adaptation, including digestive
and cardiovascular problems (Veitch, 1995).

Noise that affects feelings and reactions has a psychological

effect on humans. This normally occurs at noise levels that do
not cause a physical effect. Annoyance, stress and hypertension
are symptoms of the psychological impacts of noise pollution.
HEALTH EFFECTS
 According to the USEPA, there are direct links between noise
and health. Also, noise pollution adversely affects the lives of
millions of people.

 Noise pollution can damage physiological and psychological

health.

 High blood pressure, stress related illness, sleep disruption,

hearing loss, and productivity loss are the problems related to
noise pollution.

 It can also cause memory loss, severe depression, and panic

attacks.
SOLUTIONS FOR NOISE
POLLUTION
 Planting bushes and trees in and around sound generating
sources is an effective solution for noise pollution.

 Regular servicing and tuning of automobiles can effectively

reduce the noise pollution.

 Buildings can be designed with suitable noise absorbing

material for the walls, windows, and ceilings.

 Workers should be provided with equipments such as ear

plugs and earmuffs for hearing protection.
SOLUTIONS FOR NOISE
POLLUTION
 Similar to automobiles, lubrication of the machinery and
servicing should be done to minimize noise generation.

 Soundproof doors and windows can be installed to block

unwanted noise from outside.

 Regulations should be imposed to restrict the usage of

play loudspeakers in crowded areas and public places.

 Factories and industries should be located far from the

residential areas.
SOLUTIONS FOR NOISE
POLLUTION
 Community development or urban management should
be done with long-term planning, along with an aim to
reduce noise pollution.

 Social awareness programs should be taken up to educate

the public about the causes and effects of noise pollution.
SUBMITTED
BY:
Himanshu Malhotra(10105025)
Ishaan Gambhir(10105027)