NOISE POLLUTION By Ar. K.

Suwatha
INTRODUCTION
SOUND
Sound is a vibration that propagates as a mechanical wave of pressure and
displacement, through some medium.
Sound refers to only those vibrations with frequencies that are within the range of
hearing for human.
NOISE
Noise is basically any unwanted sound and is measured in dB units.
Characteristics of Noise are – Sound pressure, Frequency, Duration, Intermittency and
Time of the day and Location.
CHARACTERISTICS
FREQUENCY
Sound waves travel through a medium from the source to recipient. The rate of the
oscillation of the medium is known as frequency of the sound and unit is Hertz (Hz). It
is a measure of the pitch of the sound received by the listener. High frequencies mean
high pitched sounds which irritate the listener than low frequencies.
SOUND PRESSURE (Newton per sq. meter)
Local pressure deviation from atmospheric pressure, caused by a sound wave.
INTENSITY
Expressed in watts per sq. meter, is the quantum of sound energy that flows through
unit area of the medium in unit time.
SOUND WAVES TO HUMAN EAR
Human ear receives sound waves which set up oscillations in ear drum (tympanic
membrane). These oscillations cause movement of three small bones in the middle ear
behind the ear drum. Then these pass through the fluid in the inner ear to the auditory
nerve and finally transmitted to the brain. The oscillations or sound are identified and
interpreted in the brain, which can select sounds into different categories (speech,
music, noises)
The sensitivity of the ear varies from person to person and with age.
Normal hearing range = 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
NOISE METERS
Instruments specially designed to measure Sound Intensity, Pressure, Decibels (acoustic unit). Refined
meters have been developed to take care of peak noise levels, duration of noise exposure and
quality of noise which are aspects of specified noise situations.
THRESHOLD OF HEARING
The sound which can be first heard at the sound pressure of 2 x 10-5 N/sq.m or sound intensity of
10-12 watts/sq. meter is called threshold of hearing and is used as reference intensity.
EFFECTIVE PERCEIVED NOISE LEVEL (Lepn)
This is recommended for the aircraft by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as the
standard for use in noise evaluation. Th index is based on the scale equivalent to the dB scale +13
and takes care of the peak frequency of jet air craft noise as well as duration of aircraft flyover.
DECIBELS OF COMMON SOUNDS dB
0
SOURCE
Threshold of hearing
10 Rustle of leaves
20 Broadcasting studio
There are several sources of noise that contribute to
both indoor and outdoor noise pollution. Noise 30 Bedroom at night
emanating from factories, vehicles, playing of 40 Library
loudspeakers during various festivals can contribute 50 Quiet office
to outdoor noise pollution. Loudly played radio or
60 Conversational speech (at 1 meter)
music system and other electronic gadgets can
contribute to indoor noise pollution. 70 Average radio
74 Light traffic noise
The maximum PERMITTED NOISE LEVEL is 125 dB as
per the environment (Protection) (second 90 Subway train
amendment) Rules, 1999. 100 Symphony orchestra
110 Rock band
120 Aircraft take-off
146 Threshold of pain
KINDS OF NOISE
1. Continuous
2. Variable or intermittent
3. Impulse or impact
4. Chemical noise
5. Instrumental noise
 Thermal noise
 Flicker noise
 Shot noise
 Environmental noise
NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution refers to a type of energy pollution in which distracting, irritating or
damaging sounds are freely audible. In this pollution the contaminants or pollutants
are not physical particles, but are waves which interfere with the naturally occurring
waves of a similar type in the same environment.
SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution is broadly classified into three categories
1. TRANSPORT NOISE
 Road traffic noise
 Aircraft noise
 Rail traffic noise

2. OCCUPATIONAL NOISE
 Commercial occupation
 Industrial occupation

3. NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE
TRANSPORT NOISE
ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE
The increase in the number of road vehicles and traffic speed enhance the noise
volume. Maximum noise pollution is observed during morning and evening in urban
roads as people travel to and fro work places. Heavy diesel engine trucks are the
noisiest vehicle on road at present. Permissible noise level for cities are prescribed by
Central Pollution Control Board, Govt. of India.
AREA DAY (dB) NIGHT (dB)
Industrial 75 65
Commercial 65 55
Residential 50 45
Sensitive area (upto 100m 50 40
around hospitals & schools)
TRANSPORT NOISE
AIRCRAFT NOISE
The noise levels have peak values when aircrafts fly low and overhead or take off
and land at airports. The noise limits prescribed by UK airports for take off are 110
PNdB (1 PNdB = dB scale +13) during day and 102 PNdB during night. USA 112
PNdB during day.
RAIL TRAFFIC NOISES
People residing near the railway tracks are often affected by the noise produced,
especially during night hours. However it is less compared to the previous types of
traffic noises.
OCCUPATIONAL NOISES INDUSTRIAL SOURCE dB
Steel plate riveting 130
Oxygen torch 126
▪ Printing presses
Boiler’s shop 120
▪ Manufacturing industries
▪ Fans (exhaust) Textile loom 112
▪ Motors Circular saw 110
▪ Compressors mounted outside
Farm tractor 103
▪ Construction sites
▪ Pneumatic hammers Newspaper press 101
▪ Bulldozers Bench lathe 95
▪ Loaders
High speed drill 85
▪ Air compressors
▪ Dump trucks Supermarket 60
▪ Pavement breakers
The workers are exposed to noisy environment for 48 hours a week (8 hours x 6 days)
NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE
o Food mixer o Places of worship
o Grinder o Discos & parties
o Vacuum cleaner o Market (using loudspeaker to sell goods)
o Washing machine and dryer o Loud speakers
o Air conditioner o Neighbour's barking dog
o Straighter & curlers o Speakers in public function
o Cooler Are sources of neighbourhood noise which
disturb general public. They are harmful on
o Television & Radio sets long run and causes hearing damage.
 DURATION dB

8 hours 90

STANDARD SAFE TIME LIMIT 4 hours 93

2 hours 96

1 hour 99
A standard safe time limit has been
set for exposure to various noise 30 minutes 102
levels. Beyond this safe time continuing 15 minutes 105
exposure over a period oof a year
will lead to hearing loss. 7 minutes 108

4 minutes 111

2 minutes 114

1 minute 117

30 seconds 120

Instantaneous 150
rupture of
membrane
EFFECTS OF NOISE AND VIBRATIONS ON MAN
(NOISE POLLUTION HAZARDS)
1. The human ear drum is tuck by noise in the form of air-borne mechanical energy.
While the tolerable conversation level is 65 dB at a distance of 1 metre, 125 dB gives
the sensation of pain in the ear and 150 dB might be a killer. Some observation,
▪ Hight intensity noise for continuous period is the major cause for ear damage. To a
noise level exceeding 90 dB in the mid-frequency range reaches the ear for more
than a few minutes and then the sensitivity of the ear is reduced.
▪ Noise pollution can cause pathological or psychological disorders. High
frequencies or ultrasonic sound above the audible range can affect the semi-
circular canals of the inner ear and make one suffer from nausea and dizziness.
▪ Mid-audible frequencies can lead to resonance in skull, there by affect brain &
nervous system
▪ Moderate vibration can cause pain, numbness and cyanosis of fingers
▪ Severe vibrations leads to damage to bones and joints.
EFFECTS OF NOISE AND VIBRATIONS ON MAN
(NOISE POLLUTION HAZARDS)
2. In industries and other commercial establishments the general impact is lower
efficiency, reduced work rate and chances for more accidents.
3. In residential areas even low frequency noise (50-60 dB) at night disturbs sleep,
particularly the children and aged ones, causing adverse effect on health
4. Children exposed to excessive noise, show sign of behavioural disorders. On long run
this will lead to neurotic disorders.
5. Excessive noise leads to stress in daily life. this eventually affect health including sleep
loss.
6. N-response – blood circulatory changes, slow breathing, changes in electrical
resistance of skin and changes in muscle tension.
NOISE CONTROL TECHNIQUES
One of the best methods of noise source reduction is regular and thorough maintenance of operating
machinery.
Noise levels at construction sites can be controlled using proper construction planning and scheduling
techniques. Locating noisy air compressors and other equipment away from the site boundary along with
creation of temporary barriers to physically block the noise can help contribute to reducing noise pollution.
Most of the vehicular noise comes from movement of the vehicle tires on the pavement and wind resistance.
However poorly maintained vehicles can add to the noise levels. Traffic volume and speed also have significant
effects on the overall sound. For example doubling the speed increases the sound levels by about 9 dBA and
doubling the traffic volume (number of vehicles per hour) increases sound levels by about 3 dBA. A smooth flow
of traffic also causes less noise than does a stop-and-go traffic pattern.
Proper highway planning and design are essential for controlling traffic noise. Establishing lower speed limits
for highways that pass through residential areas, limiting traffic volume and providing alternative routes for
truck traffic are effective noise control measures.
The path of traffic noise can also be blocked by construction of vertical barriers alongside the highway.
Planting of trees around houses can also act as effective noise barriers. In industries different types of
absorptive material can be used to control interior noise. Highly absorptive interior finish material for walls,
ceilings and floors can decrease indoor noise levels significantly.
THERMAL POLLUTION By Ar. K. Suwatha
INTRODUCTION
Most industries utilize water for various purposes as a raw material, solvent, diluent,
cleaning etc.
After the process the effluent is released along with additives utilized during the
process. Generally, the effluent will not have any temperature difference compared
to intake water.
However, the process which requires hot conditions, will automatically release
effluents with high temperature.
Thus the hot effluent discharged at a temperature of 8 – 10 degree higher than the
temperature of intake water. This utilized heat, discharged into the water bodies with
high temperature of effluent is called thermal pollution
SOURCES
Coal fired power plants
Domestic sewage
Hydroelectric power
Industrial effluents
Nuclear power plants
HARMFUL EFFECTS
Reduction of dissolved oxygen
Change in water properties
Interference with biological activities
Variation in reproductive rate
Invasion of destructive organism
Undesirable change in algae population
Longevity
Effect water quality
CONTROL
Natural draft towers
Mechanical draft cooling towers
Cooling ponds