NOISE POLLUTION: SOURCES, IMPACT AND MITIGATION

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. Indrajit Ruri, an assistant professor from the Department of Geography and Applied Geography at the University of North Bengal, delves into the critical issue of noise pollution. He explains the concept, sources, and impacts of noise on human health, including hypertension, hearing loss, and sleep disorders. Dr. Ruri also outlines various mitigation measures, such as soundproofing and noise control regulations, and discusses the legal framework in place to address this environmental concern.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The term 'noise pollution' originates from the Latin word 'nosia', implying a sickness that makes one feel the need to vomit, symbolizing discomfort and imbalance in health due to excessive noise.
• 👂 Noise pollution is defined as the unpleasant and undesirable sound that causes discomfort to humans, measured in decibels (dB), with the human ear's capacity to hear up to 1 decibel.
• 🚗 The increase in urbanization and the number of vehicles contribute significantly to noise pollution, with traffic noise being a major source.
• 🏭 Industrial noise, coming from machinery and heavy equipment, is another significant contributor to noise pollution, accounting for about 20% of the issues related to it.
• 🏠 Neighborhood noise, including sounds from household utensils, musical instruments, and loudspeakers, is also a source of noise pollution.
• 📢 The use of loudspeakers in public gatherings, weddings, and cultural programs can lead to noise pollution.
• 🚧 Construction sites and mining activities are additional sources of noise pollution, impacting the surrounding areas.
• 💊 The effects of noise pollution on human health include hypertension, hearing loss, sleeping disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
• 🛑 Measures to mitigate noise pollution include banning honking in silence zones, installing soundproof systems in commercial and industrial buildings, and controlling the volume of musical instruments.
• 📜 The Central Pollution Control Board in India has set noise limits for different areas such as industrial, commercial, residential, and silence zones, with specific decibel levels for day and night.
• 📚 Various acts and provisions, including the Noise Prevention Act, Criminal Procedure Code, Railway Act, Aircraft Act, and Motor Vehicle Act, are in place to control and prevent noise pollution.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'noise' in the context of pollution?

The word 'noise' is derived from the Latin word 'nosia', which means sickness, particularly a state where one feels the need to vomit, indicating a disbalanced and unhealthy situation.

How is noise pollution defined in the script?

Noise pollution is defined as the unpleasant and undesirable sound which leads to discomfort in human beings, particularly when the sound level is too high and goes beyond what the human ear can comfortably handle.

What unit is used to measure the intensity of sound in noise pollution?

The intensity of sound is measured in decibels, denoted by 'dB', where 'd' is lowercase and 'B' is uppercase.

What are the main sources of noise pollution mentioned in the script?

The main sources of noise pollution mentioned include transport noise (traffic noise, honking), neighborhood noise (from household utensils, musical instruments, sound boxes, transistors, loudspeakers), and industrial noise (from machinery).

What are some of the health impacts of noise pollution on humans?

Health impacts of noise pollution include hypertension, hearing loss, sleeping disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

How does noise pollution affect children aged 0 to 5 years?

Children aged 0 to 5 years are mostly affected by hearing loss due to constant exposure to loud noise beyond the range that human ears can withstand, which can damage the eardrums and result in loss of hearing.

What are some measures to mitigate noise pollution mentioned in the script?

Measures to mitigate noise pollution include banning honking in public places like educational institutions, installing soundproof systems in commercial and industrial buildings, controlling the volume of musical instruments, and not using explosives in forest and mining areas.

What are the different categories of areas defined by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for noise regulation?

The CPCB defines four categories of areas for noise regulation: industrial areas, commercial areas, residential areas, and silence zones, each with specific decibel limits for daytime and nighttime.

What are the decibel limits for industrial areas during daytime and nighttime as per the CPCB?

For industrial areas, the decibel limit during daytime is 75 dB, and it should be reduced to 70 dB during nighttime.

What is the definition of a 'silence zone' according to the script?

A 'silence zone' is defined as an area up to 100 meters around premises such as hospitals, educational institutions, and courts, where the use of vehicular horns, loudspeakers, and bursting of crackers is banned.

What are some of the legal acts mentioned in the script that are relevant to noise pollution control?

Some legal acts mentioned for noise pollution control include Article 51A and Article 48A of the Constitution of India, the Criminal Procedure Code Section 133, the Railways Act 1880, the Aircraft Act 1934, and the Motor Vehicles Act 1939.