Noise pollution is the feeling of discomfort and restlessness that humans experience due to unwanted high intensity sound (noise). This can be caused by natural sources like cloud thunder, hailstorms, waterfalls, avalanches, and landslides, as well as artificial sources such as machines, automobiles, aircrafts, radios, televisions, exhaust fans, lawn mowers, sirens,loudspeakers,and cultural programs with dance and music. The growing urban and industrial activities are increasing artificial noise pollution levels ,which is a worrying problem.The sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB).
Noise pollution in India has increased due to activities such as industry, urbanization, transportation, and construction. Major cities in India suffer from significant noise pollution caused by high traffic density and industrial operations. However, the intensity of pollution varies depending on factors like location, time, population density, and city functions. Studies conducted in Kanpur (Kumra, 1982), Mumbai, and Chennai have identified common features such as high noise levels near airports, railway stations, bus terminals, industrial areas, busy markets, heavily trafficked routes, and densely populated clusters. Loudspeakers and traffic noise pose particular problems in Indian cities.
During festivals, cultural programmes, elections, national festivities, and victories, as well as traffic jams, pollution levels increase. Most of our cities exceed the permissible limit of 60-70 dB for noise pollution. For example, Delhi has a noise level of 89 dB, Kolkata has 87 dB, Mumbai has 85 dB, Chennai has 82 dB, Kochi has 80 dB, Madurai and Nagpur have 75 dB each and Thiruvananthapuram has 70 dB. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Monitoring Laboratory in Lucknow (India), noise levels surpassing 90dB are found near various locations like Hazaratganj crossing,King George Medical College,NurManzil,Royal Hotel crossing,Gol Darwaza,Naka Hindola ,Charbagh railway station,Lalkuan,Aminabad,and Sadar crossing.
Continuous exposure to high levels of noise can result in various disorders and ailments such as mild annoyance,m ental tension,s headaches,f atigue,i rriration,h yigh blood pressure,st omach trouble,p sychological problems,d ecreased working efficiency,t raffic accidents,a nd even permanent deafness.
A study was carried out in five southern cities – Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram – to assess the occurrence of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) among workers in industries including textile, automobile, oil, fertilizers, and chemicals. The investigation revealed that 25% of the workers had incurable NIHL.
