Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or
balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is
mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft,
and trains.
Outdoor noise is summarized by the word environmental noise. Poor urban
planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential
buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas.
Indoor noise can be caused by machines, building activities, and music
performances, especially in some workplaces. There is no great difference
whether noise-induced hearing loss is brought about by outside (e.g. trains) or inside
(e.g. music) noise.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a rise in blood
pressure, and an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased
incidence of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death
by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and
navigation, and contribute to permanent hearing loss.
Noise pollution effects both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can
damage psychological health. Noise pollution can causehypertension, high stress
levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.
Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as
sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life.
Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males
exposed to significant occupational noise demonstrate moresignificantly reduced
hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers, though differences in hearing
sensitivity decrease with time and the two groups are indistinguishable by age 79.
[10]
A comparison of Maaban tribesmen, who were insignificantly exposed to
transportation or industrial noise, to a typical U.S. population showed that chronic
exposure to moderately high levels of environmental noise contributes to hearing
loss.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to
moderately high levels during a single eight-hour period causes a statistical rise
in blood pressure of five to ten points and an increase
in stress and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressure noted above,
as well as to increased incidence of coronary artery disease.
Noise pollution also is a cause of annoyance. A 2005 study by Spanish researchers
found that in urban areas households are willing to pay approximately four Euros per
decibel per year for noise reduction.[11]
Noise can have a detrimental effect on wild animals, increasing the risk of death by
changing the delicate balance in predator or prey detection and avoidance, and
interfering the use of the sounds in communication, especially in relation to
reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or
permanent loss of hearing.
An impact of noise on wild animal life is the reduction of usable habitat that noisy
areas may cause, which in the case of endangered species may be part of the path
to extinction. Noise pollution has caused the death of certain species of whales
that beached themselves after being exposed to the loud sound of militarysonar,.
see also Marine mammals and sonar).
Noise also makes species communicate more loudly, which is called Lombard vocal
response.[13] Scientists and researchers have conducted experiments that show
whales' song length is longer when submarine-detectors are on. If creatures do not
"speak" loudly enough, their voice will be masked by anthropogenic sounds. These
unheard voices might be warnings, finding of prey, or preparations of net-bubbling.
When one species begins speaking more loudly, it will mask other species' voice,
causing the whole ecosystem eventually to speak more loudly.
Marine invertebrates, such as crabs (Carcinus maenas), have also been shown to be
impacted by ship noise.[15][16] Larger crabs were noted to be impacted more by the
sounds than smaller crabs. Repeated exposure to the sounds did lead
to acclimatization.
European Robins living in urban environments are more likely to sing at night in
places with high levels of noise pollution during the day, suggesting that they sing at
night because it is quieter, and their message can propagate through the
environment more clearly.[17] The same study showed that daytime noise was a
stronger predictor of nocturnal singing than night-time light pollution, to which the
phenomenon often is attributed.
Zebra finches become less faithful to their partners when exposed to traffic noise.
This could alter a population's evolutionary trajectory by selecting traits, sapping
resources normally devoted to other activities and thus leading to profound genetic
and evolutionary consequences.[18]
In a first of its kind preliminary study on the Health effects from noise as it relates to
weight gain and blood cortisol levels in farm animals, in this study, two groups of
growing geese, the first "remain[ing] within" 50 meters from a wind turbine and the
second 500 meters; after 12 weeks of growth the research group found that the
closer, first group, had "significant differences" when compared with its more distant
pairing and "gained less weight and had a higher concentration of cortisol in blood,"
compared to individuals from the more distant group, with the results of the study
suggesting "a negative effect of the immediate vicinity of a wind turbine on the stress
parameters of geese and their productivity."[19]
Roadway noise can be reduced by the use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle
speeds, alteration of roadway surface texture, limitation of heavy vehicles, use of
traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and acceleration, and tire
design. An important factor in applying these strategies is a computer
model for roadway noise, that is capable of addressing
local topography, meteorology, traffic operations, and hypothetical mitigation. Costs
of building-in mitigation can be modest, provided these solutions are sought in the
planning stage of a roadway project.
Aircraft noise can be reduced by using quieter jet engines. Altering flight paths and
time of day runway has benefitted residents near airports.
Industrial noise has been addressed since the 1930s via redesign of industrial
equipment, shock mounted assemblies and physical barriers in the workplace. In
recent years, Buy Quiet programs and initiatives have arisen in an effort to combat
occupational noise exposures. These programs promote the purchase of quieter
tools and equipment and encourage manufacturers to design quieter equipment.[20]
Up until the 1970s governments viewed noise as a "nuisance" rather than an
environmental problem. In the United States, there are federal standards for highway
and aircraft noise; states and local governments typically have very specific statutes
on building codes,urban planning, and roadway development.
Noise laws and ordinances vary widely among municipalities and indeed do not even
exist in some cities. An ordinance may contain a general prohibition against making
noise that is a nuisance, or it may set out specific guidelines for the level of noise
allowable at certain times of the day and for certain activities.
The Environmental Protection Agency retains authority to investigate and study
noise and its effect, disseminate information to the public regarding noise pollution
and its adverse health effects, respond to inquiries on matters related to noise, and
evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations for protecting the public health and
welfare, pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 and the Quiet Communities Act of
1978.
Portland, Oregon instituted the first comprehensive noise code in 1975 with funding
from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and HUD (Housing and Urban
Development). The Portland Noise Code includes potential fines of up to $5000 per
infraction and is the basis for other major U.S. and Canadian city noise ordinances.
Many conflicts over noise pollution are handled by negotiation between the emitter
and the receiver. Escalation procedures vary by country, and may include action in
conjunction with local authorities, in particular the police.
NOISE POLLUTION IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Noise pollution and machine:
Noise is the environmental pollutant generated by any industry and spinning and weaving
industries has no exception to this. The workers exposed to industrial noise of potentially
damaging quality and intensity, suffer from impairment of hearing capacity of several
degrees and other physiological disorders which is shown in the Fig No. 4 and 5 Prolonged
exposure to a noise level of > 90 dB may cause hearing disorders since maximum
permissible noise level for 8 hour exposure should be around 96.5 dB [5] As we know the
term noise is the unpleasant sound with varying intensity. The machines are the main cause
for this particular reason, and cannot be under direct control because we cannot keep
machine as it is as it generate the noise and secondly lot of cost is involved on the machines
is very high.
Impact of noise pollution on human beings
Psychological Disorders
Hearing Problem
Machine behavior and noise generation: Any machine while in running is prone to develop the
noise and textile machines have no exception for the same. When we talk about the noise
with respect to machine it is the vibration generated due to two or more solid surface
interface. The vibrating members alternately push and pull against air creating noise, off
course there are many reasons for generation of noise and can be summarized as follow,
1) Machine footing and its foundation.
2) Type of mechanism adopted while designing the machine (no. of mechanical components
presented and linkage mechanism)
3) Working speed of machine.
4) Maintenance of machine.
5) Design of other machine parts like blowers, ducts and pipes etc.
6) Material handling system.
Overview of noise levels in Different departments:
1) Spinning: Because of high spindle speeds reached on new machines (ring spindles up to
20000 rpm, rotor speed up to 11000 rpm) spinning mills can generally be assumed to
generate a great noise. Noise levels of 70 to 100 dB are commonly recorded in workrooms.
2) Weaving and knitting: Although considerable progress has been made in the weaving
sector over the last 20 year, the whole area of noise nuisance and, closely associated with it,
vibration coming from looms, cause major problems. Noise levels of 100 to 120 dB must be
expected in weaving rooms, according to the design, type of loom.Fitting and erection and
number looms used, fabric structure etc. The following table shows the noise levels in
various departments.
Table : Noise level in textile industry (Texturing, spinning and Weaving)
PROCESS NOISE LEVEL ( dB)
95-100
TEXTURIZING POINT
SPINNING
1. RING FRAME 80
2.ROTOR SPINNING 84
3.TWO FOR ONE TWISTER 100-110
4.WEAVING 110-120
the plant construction according to the acoustic principle and engineering
approach.
Relocation of equipment: Noise level drops off when the distance from the noise
source is increase.
1. Noisy equipment should be as far as possible from employees.
2. Do not put noisy parts at corner to avoid noise reflection.
Simple machine treatments: Many simple modifications in the machine show
significant reduction in the noise level.
1. Reduce the dropping height of parts from bins and storage tanks
2. Enclose the bin and boxes with rubber base material to absorb the noise
3. Keep optimum pressure when working with pneumatics and hydraulics
Proper operating speed: As we know any increase in speed will prone to develop
more noise so run the machines with manufacturer recommendation.
1. a)Enclosures: These are like boxes covered with sound and heat absorbable coatings
simple used to control the machines parts which are moveable especially in case of
motor panels where both heat and noise generation are the key parameters to be
performed.
2. b) Shields and barriers: These are sound absorbable materials which are used to
control high frequency noise they should be placed near to the high frequency source
and they should be as thick as possible.
3. c)Ducts and pipes: vibrating duct is the common cause of noise. The source of noise
is the fan and is depend on
1) Proper fan size and type
2) Speed of the fan
Generally the backward curved fan produces low level of noise than forward
curve due to the low air turbulence also some other considerations are required
to be taken like acoustic linings in the ducts to observe the sound, pressure
balance in ducts to maintain the steady conditions during martial transportation.
Conclusion:
Reduction in the noise is important and above all a demanding task. Today the
machine manufactures have attempted serval techniques to keep the noise
emission as low as possible but, what would have been achieved in lowering
down the noise level has been canceled out by the continuous increase in the
speed. We must practice sophisticated engineering and quantitative
management techniques like Total Productive Maintenance to control noise and
other pollutions with respect to machines and material handling practices.
