NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution refers to the presence of sound levels that are disturbing, irritating, or harmful to living beings. It affects physical and mental health and is a major cause of deafness and stress.

CAUSES OF NOISE POLLUTION
1. Industrialization – Heavy machines, compressors, generators, exhausts.
2. Poor Urban Planning – Congested housing, fights over space, community disturbances.
3. Social Events – Weddings, festivals, loudspeakers, discos.
4. Transportation – Road traffic, aircraft noise, trains.
5. Construction Activities – Building, mining, road and bridge construction.

EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION
• Hearing Loss and Deafness
• Cardiac Disturbances (including coronary artery disease)
• Sleeplessness and Restlessness
• Headaches and Irritability
• Stress, Anxiety, Aggression
• Psychological Imbalance
• Disturbance to Wildlife (e.g., reduced chick size in noisy nests)

SAFE LIMIT OF NOISE
• Measured in decibels (dB)
• 80–90 dB exposure for 8 hours may cause hearing loss
• 140 dB is painful; 180 dB can be fatal

MEASURES TO CONTROL NOISE POLLUTION
• CPCB noise standards and monitoring
• Noise Regulation Rules, 2000 (amended 2010)
• Restrictions on firecrackers, loudspeakers, industrial noise

NATIONAL AMBIENT NOISE MONITORING NETWORK (NANMN)
• 70 monitoring stations in 7 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai)
• Expansion planned to 80 more cities

UNEP REPORT ON NOISE POLLUTION
• Frontiers 2022 Report examines noise, wildfires, and biological rhythm disruptions.
• Mentions 5 Indian cities: Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Asansol, Moradabad.
• Moradabad controversially listed with 114 dB due to citation error.

WAYS TO REDUCE NOISE POLLUTION
• Soundscape approach – holistic, listener-centered planning
• Integrated policy for noise + air pollution
• Increasing green cover – tree belts, green roofs
• Pathway interventions – noise barriers using recycled materials

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Subject: Environment

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