Noise Pollution

Introduction:-

Noise pollution has become a serious problem for human health. The
noisy atmosphere in which we are living is an obstacle in securing good
health. Noise pollution and environmental noise are hurting human and
other organisms. Noise beyond a limit produces many diseases, such as
hypertension, stress, making people vulnerable to forgetfulness,
depression, insomnia, and many other serious ailments. Noise is also
very dangerous for nature as a whole because it disturbs the tranquillity
of all creatures and increases mortality rate in them.

What is Noise Pollution?

Noise pollution means an unwanted or undesirable sound that leads to

physical and mental problems. Noise pollution is dependent on the
loudness and frequency of the sound. In fact, when the sound exceeds
its limit, it becomes fatal for human and other organisms. The noise
intensity is measured in decibels or dB. A person can bear the noise up
to 85 decibels, after which his hearing power can be damaged.

Normally, sounds more intense than 30 decibel are called noise.

Anyway, all the sounds come under noise pollution which makes the
mind turbulent or restless.In fact,any unwanted noise , arising in the
environment, which has adverse effects on the health of the organism,is
noise Pollution.

In daily life, we hear different intensity of sounds, whose level ranges

from 10 to 100 decibels. Considering the side effects on human health,
scientists have set the maximum sound limit, ranging from 75 to 85 dB in
different countries. The World Health Organization considers the sound
of 45 decibels ideal for cities. But measurement of sound in most big
cities exceeds 90 decibels.

●​ Sources and Causes of Noise Pollution:-

1.Natural Sources

The natural environment is filled with various sounds – thunderstorms,

lightning, tornado, cyclone, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides,
sounds produced by animals, and rapidly falling water.

2.Human Sources

Rapid industrialization, urbanization, use of modern means of

transport, population growth, and increasing scale of human
activities are some of the human factors responsible for noise
pollution. Both types of noise pollution, affect sleep, listening
ability, physical and mental health.

3.Vehicular Noise

The modern means of traffic including vehicles such as buses, trucks,

scooters, cars, motorcycles, trains, aircraft, firecrackers, explosives etc,
pollute the atmosphere. Sound of other automated vehicles and horn,
excessive use of loudspeakers for religious purposes also generate
jarring noise.

4.Industrial Noise

Industry-businesses, factories and commercial establishments produce a

variety of raucous sounds that bump into our ears and disturb our mind.
Noise pollution is an integral part of the industrial environment with
heavy machines used in the industries; it is on the rise with the increase
in industrial urbanization.

5.Domestic Noise
As the houses in the cities are quite adjacent, the amount of domestic
noise is increasing. The noise of radio, television, instrumentation and
various types of sounds are constantly occurring around us, which cause
mental health problems, stress, deafness etc..Other domestic sources
include noise in the kitchen, and domestic discord including scolding,
shouting, crying, etc.

6.Construction Activities

Unbridled construction is also a reason for noise pollution outside the

home. Sound pollution is also caused due to poor urban planning
because industrial and residential buildings are quite close by in many
cities.

7. Noisy Hospitals

Noise pollution also occurs in hospitals. Rocking of trolleys, wheelchairs,

surgical instruments, oxygen cylinders, sounds from plants, uncontrolled
conversations among patients, relatives, emergency noise and screams,
mourning followed by death are some of the sources of noise pollution in
medical centres.

8.Political Activities

Noise pollution is also generated by dharna, demonstrations, slogans,

election propaganda, processions, and rallies frequently organized in
cities.

●​ Other Reasons

Noise pollution inside and outside the house includes car alarms,
emergency services siren, machine tools, compressed air horn,
equipment, electrical equipment, megaphone etc.

●​ Effects of Noise Polllution

1.Noise pollution may cause temporary or permanent hearing
impairment. The most direct harmful effect of excessive noise falls on
the ears. Many times, extreme noise ruptures the ear drums.

2.The noise not only creates irritability, anger, but also accelerates the
heart rate by increasing blood flow in the arteries. The constant noise
increases the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which contracts blood
vessels, increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

3.Health experts believe that rising noise gives rise to neurological

disease, nervous breakdown, hypertension, vision, dizziness, excessive
sweating, exhaustion.

4.As rapid noise hinders sleep, insomnia has adverse effects on human
functioning. The person becomes irritable, angry, tired and tense, and he
even becomes neurotic or crazy.

5.Exposure to the noise of 180 decibels intensity may result in the death
of man.

6.The effect of noise is dangerous for animal life too. Due to continuous
noise, their habitat decreases and the threatened creatures reach the
brink of extinction. The most notable of the deadly effects of noise
pollution is that some species of whale die due to noise.

7.Noise pollution has a lot of adverse effect on infants and women,

sometimes due to loud velocity of sound, women also undergo
miscarriage or the foetus’s heart stops and the entire behaviour of the
infant can change. Children imbibe forgetful tendencies.

Recent News regarding Noise Polllution:-

Use of Loudspeakers not ‘Essential Religious Practice ‘:

Bombay High court asks Mumbai police to act against use of
Loudspeakers at religious places
Show Cause Notice issued to Diljit Dosanjh concert organizer
for breaching noise limits

Year-Round Ban On Firecrackers Required Not Just To Curb

Air Pollution But Also To Curb Noise Pollution: Supreme Court

Madhya Pradesh High Court Seeks Centre, State's Stand In

PIL Against Rising Traffic Congestions, Noise Pollution.

District Magistrate, SSP Will Be Personally Liable If Directions

To Curb Noise Pollution Not Followed: Punjab & Haryana High
Court Reiterates.

Construction conundrum: Pune residents troubled by noise

pollution can voice their concerns to civic body and police

Air pollution causes male infertility while prolonged exposure to

road traffic noise causes female infertility

Bombay High Court Declines Urgent Hearing Of PIL Seeking

Ban On Use Of DJ, Beam Lights During Eid-e-Milad

Causes Eyesight, Hearing Loss: PIL In Bombay HC Challenges

Use Of Laser Beams And Loud Sound Systems During
Festivals

Telangana High Court Calls For Proper Implementation Of

Noise Pollution Rules By Function Halls In Hyderabad, Seeks
Action Taken Report

●​ Legal legislations regarding Noise Polllution:-

In Rohtak, Haryana, noise pollution is regulated by the Noise Pollution

(Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, which also addresses public
nuisance under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
 ●​ Environment Protection Act,1986

This Act recognizes noise as a pollutant and provides the framework for
regulating it.

●​ Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1981

This act also plays a role in regulating noise pollution, particularly in

industrial areas, according to Down To earth.

●​ Noise pollution as environmental Polllution

Noise pollution, which causes significant harm to the environment, can

lead to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh, or
both.

●​ Additional Fines

If noise pollution continues, there can be an additional fine of Rs. 5000

for every day the pollution happens.

●​ Night Time Restrictions

The rules prohibit playing music, using sound amplifiers, beating drums,
blowing horns, or exhibiting performances that attract crowds at night
(between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.), except in closed premises.

●​ Noise Standards

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 also specify
noise standards for different areas, including industrial, commercial,
residential, and silence zones, both during the day and at night.

●​ Right to Live in Peace

The Constitution of India guarantees the right to live in peace and

freedom from noise pollution under Article21.
 ●​ Motor Vehicle Act

The Motor Vehicle Act lays down guidelines and related to the use of
horns in vehicle.Horns that are too loud and causes nuisance are not
allowed to use under this act.

●​ Law of Torts

Under the law of torts, noise pollution is considered a form of nuisance,

and individuals can file a civil suit to claim damages if their use and
enjoyment of land is interfered with by excessive noise .

Measures for prevention of Noise Polllution:-

1.Considering the widespread ill-effects of noise pollution, measures

need to be taken to control them.

2.Increasing noise pollution is very harmful for the health, efficiency and
productivity of animals, organisms, flora etc. as well as the adaptation
and balance of the environment.

3.Factories, which mainly produce noise pollution, should be established

far away from settlements, forests, reservoirs and hilly areas.

4.Settlements should not be located at least within 20 kilometres from

mining areas, and airports.

5.Explosives should be not used in mountainous, forest and mining

areas.

6.With proper maintenance of vehicles, along with the restriction of high

sound horns, the use of advanced technology silencer should be used
inevitably.

7.Use of horn in public places (hospital, teaching institutes etc.) should

be banned.
8.The sound of musical instruments should be controlled to desirable
limits.

9.The use of sound amplifiers of high power, DJ, etc should be banned
in religious, social, political events.

10.There should be control over noise generated from machine and

equipment.

11.The use of sound absorber acoustic tiles should be encouraged in the

construction of multi-storeyed buildings.

12.Adequate health education on pollution should be provided through

government agencies and voluntary institutions.

●​ Conclusion:-

Pollution is due to excessive sound is dangerous both for mental and

physical health; it poses a threat for living organisms to exist on Earth.
While the government and the courts of various countries are taking
several measures to reduce the intensity of noise pollution, it calls for
collective efforts and resolve on the part of mankind. If people
themselves promote sound pollution, they will not be in a position to
motivate others to use minimal sound.

Moreover, there is a need for greater awareness on this issue as only 5

to 10 percent of the people affected by noise formally file a complaint.
Many people are not aware of the information about their legal rights
under the environmental laws in force in various countries. Clearly, there
is a need to change things at the ground level to tackle the global
menace of noise pollution.