NOISE POLLUTION

Sound – Sound and therefore, all noise , is

physically a rapid alteration of air pressure above
and below atmosphere pressure. Basically, all
sounds travel as sound pressure waves from a
vibrating body such as human larynx, radio, TV,
record player speaker, or vibration machine. A
sound that contains only one frequency is a PURE
TONE. The PITCH of sound is determined
primarily by frequency: Vibrations per second. The
amplitude or magnitude of sound is the SOUND
PRESSURE
Noise – is unwanted sound. It may be unwanted for
a variety of reasons: causing hearing loss, interfering
with communication, causing loss of sleep, adversely
effecting human physiology, or causing just plain
annoyance.

Noise pollution – is the condition in

witch noise has characteristics and duration
injurious to public health and welfare or
unseasonably interferes with comfortable
enjoyment of life and property in such areas
as are affective by the noise.
Ambient Noise – is the total noise in a given
situation or environment.

Noise level – is the weighted sound pressure level

in dBA* obtained by the use of an approved type
[American National Standards Institute (ANSI)]

Frequency – is the number times a complete cycle

of pressure variation occurs un 1 second, both an
elevation and a depression below atmospheric pressure.

Decibel – is a dimensionless unit to express physical

intensity or sound pressure levels.
Sound Pressure – The sound pressure level of
a noise source is expressed by this relationship:

sound pressure level(SPL) in dB = 20log₁₀ P/P₀

Intensity – intensity of a sound wave is the energy

transferred per unit time in second through a unit area
normal to the direction of propagation.

Loudness – the sound level or sound pressure

level as perceived by an observer.
Noys – is a measure of the perceived
noise level (PNL) (in decibel) in realtion to
the noisiness or acceptability of a sound
level.

Day-Night Average Sound

Level (DNL) System- the day night
average sound level is the 24 hour average
sound level, expressed in decibels, obtained
after the addition of a 10-dB penalty for
sound level that occur at night between 10
p.m – 7 a.m
Effects of Noise – A health Hazard

Noise pollution is an environmental and workplace problem.

Excessive noise can cause permanent or temporary loss of hearing,
Loud sounds affect the circulatory and nervous system, although the
effect are difficult to assess. There is hearing loss with age, particularly
at the higher frequencies, and in younger people who have been
exposed to loud noises. Occupation-related hearing loss has been
documented since the sixteenth century and is still a serious problem.

For workers, a sound level over 85 dBA calls for study of the
cause. A level above 90 dBA should be considered unsafe for daily
exposure over a period of months and calls for noise reduction or
personal ear protection if this is practical.

Other effect of noise are reduced property values; Increased

compensation benefits and possible accidents, inefficiency, and
absenteeism; and increased building construction costs.
 Source of Noise
Sources Noise Level (dBA) Response

Carrier deck, jet operation 140 Painfully loud

Live rock music 130 Limits amplified speech
Jet takeoff (200ft) 120 Maximum vocal effort
Discotheque 115
Rock band (10ft) 115
Auto horn (3ft) loud 110
Riveting machine 110
Jet takeoff (2000ft) 110
Garbage truck, Snowmobile 100
Power lawn mower (operation) 95
New York subway station 90 Very annoying
Heavy truck (50ft) 90 Hearing damage (8 hr)
Food blender 90
Pneumatic drill (50ft) 85
Diesel truck, 4ompg (5oft) 85
Dishwasher 80
alarmclock 80 Annoying
Sources Noise Level (dBA) Response

Garbage collection 80
Freeway traffic (50ft) 70 Telephone use difficult
Vacuum cleaner 70
Normal speech 60
Air-conditioning unit (20ft) 60 Intrusive
Light auto traffic (100ft) 50 Quiet
Living room 40 Quiet
Bedroom 40
Public library 35
Soft Whisper (15ft) 30 Very quiet
Broadcasting studio 20
Breathing 10 Just audible
0 Threshold of hearing
Control of Industrial Noise
Eight factors are considered in industrial noise control.

1. Select building site that is isolated or an area where

there is a high background noise level. Topography
and prevailing winds should be considered, as well as
the use of landscaping and embanking, to reduce the
noise travel where it may cause a nuisance.
2. Building layout should separate and isolate noisy
operations from quiet areas.
3. Substitute low-noise –level process foe noisy
operations from quiet areas.
4. Select new equipment with the lower possible noise
level (also modification of existing equipment with
better mufflers).
5. Reduce noise at its source through maintenance of
machinery, covers and safety shields, and replacement
of worn parts; reduction of driving forces reduction of
response of vibrating surface; intake and discharge
sound attenuation and flexible connections or collars;
use of total or partial enclosures, with sound-absorbing
materials (also coatings or sound-absorbing materials
on metals to dampen vibration noise); and isolation of
vibration and its transmission.
6. Use acoustic absorption materials to prevent noise
reflections.
7. Control noise in ventilation ducts or conveyor system.
8. Use personnel shelters.
Control of Transport Noise
Eight specific measures can be used to reduce the effect of
highway noise:

1. Enclose highways going through residential areas.

2. Use wider rights-of-way, that is, separation of buffer
zone between the source and the receptor.
3. Design walls to deflect or absorb noise (earth berms
covered with vegetation are more effective).
4. Charge highway alignment and grade to avoid
sensitive areas, minimizing stop-and-go traffic, and
shifting to low gears.
5. Set lower speed limits fir certain sections of a
highway.
6. Use adjacent barriers, nonresidential buildings in sound
transmission path, earth embankments or berks, and
elevation or depression of highways. It is reported,
however, that barrier provide little attenuation of low-
frequency sounds and that a thick band of deciduous
trees 200 to 300ft in width is relatively ineffective in
cutting down traffic noises, reducing them only on the
order of 4 of 5 dB.
7. Separation distance is most effective in reducing noise
from highways.
8. Establish alternate truck routes.
White building codes to require building insulation to
limit interior transmission of noise. Additional measure
are masonry walls, elimination of windows, use of
double windows or grazing, soundproofing of ceiling,
thick carpeting, overstuffed furniture, and heavy drapes
Noise Reduction
•Sound Absorption
The amount of sound energy a material can
absorb (soak up) is a function of its absorption
coefficient (α) at a specified frequency. The sound
absorption coefficient is the fractional part of the
energy of an incident sound wave that is absorbed
by a material. The noise reduction (NR) in decibels
at a given frequency of a surface before and after
treatment can be determined by this equation:

NR = 10 log₁₀ (A₂ ⁄ A₁)

•Sound Transmission

Sound transmission loss (TL)

Is the ratio of the energy passing through a wall,
floor, or ceiling to the energy striking it – that is,
how effective a material is in stopping the passage
of sound. The sound transmission varies with the
frequency of the sound, the weight or mass, and
the stiffness of the construction. Hence the
reduction of a noise transmission from outside to
inside a building is accomplished through control of
the design, thickness, and weight of wall, floor,
door, window and ceiling materials.
Sound transmission class (STC)
Loss rating for various type of materials are given in
decibels in design handbook, texts, and standards such
as the National Bureau of standards, Building Materials
and Structures Report BMS 144 for “Insulation of Wall
and Floor Construction.”
In general, the sound transmission loss rating
increases with frequency increases. Theoretically,
Transmission loss increases at the rate of 6dB per
doubling of the weight of the construction.
Federal Regulations
In May 1969 the department of Labor issued the first
federal standards for occupational exposure to noise. The
Occupational safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
sets and enforces regulations, under the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970, for the protection of
workers’ hearing.
The Noise Control Act of 1972 [Public Law (PL) 92-574]
directed the EPA to promote an environment for all
Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health
and welfare. It is required to set limits on noise emission,
and the Act required manufacturers to warrant product
performance and label products.
State and Local Regulation
New York State enacted a state highway antinoise law
in 1965 and California followed in 1967. Chicago put
into effect a comprehensive noise control program in
July 1971. Regulation require reduced noise level after
1979 for vehicles, construction machinery, home-
powered equipment, and like-manufacturing
equipment. St. Louis Country has a noise code that
limits noise in residential area to 55 dBA and in
industrial areas to 80 dBA. New jersey enacted
comprehensive noise legislation January 1972. Most
state in the snow belt have established a maximum
noise level for snowmobile of 78 dBA at 50f. Some
12,ooo states and municipalities have noise control
legislation but enforcement has weak spotty.