1. Noise
Pollution

2. Introduction
Noise pollutionNoise pollution is excessive, displeasing human,is excessive, displeasing human,
animal or machine-createdanimal or machine-created environmental noiseenvironmental noise thatthat
disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.
The wordThe word noisenoise comes from the Latin wordcomes from the Latin word nauseasnauseas,,
meaning seasickness.meaning seasickness.
The source of most outdoor noise worldwide isThe source of most outdoor noise worldwide is
mainlymainly constructionconstruction andand transportation systemstransportation systems, including, including
motor vehiclemotor vehicle noise,noise, aircraft noiseaircraft noise andand rail noiserail noise..[1][2][1][2]
PoorPoor
urban planningurban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-may give rise to noise pollution, since side-
by-side industrial and residential buildings can result inby-side industrial and residential buildings can result in
noise pollution in the residential area.noise pollution in the residential area.

3. Causes of Noise Pollution
The sources/causes of noise pollution increased or probably originated withThe sources/causes of noise pollution increased or probably originated with
the invention of machines. The various noise pollution causes are:-the invention of machines. The various noise pollution causes are:-
1)1) TrafficTraffic:: It is the biggest source of noise pollution in today's times,It is the biggest source of noise pollution in today's times,
especially in urban areas. Thus, traffic problems created by these vehicles isespecially in urban areas. Thus, traffic problems created by these vehicles is
an important source of noise pollution. The sound produced by the exhaustan important source of noise pollution. The sound produced by the exhaust
systems of trucks, autos, buses, etc. cause a lot of noise.systems of trucks, autos, buses, etc. cause a lot of noise.
2)2) Railway StationsRailway Stations:: Locomotive engines of trains are an important sourceLocomotive engines of trains are an important source
of noise pollution. The whistles and horns being used by the railwayof noise pollution. The whistles and horns being used by the railway
employees add to the effect and increase noise pollution.employees add to the effect and increase noise pollution.
3)3) AircraftAircraft:: The national parks and wastelands were earlier considered toThe national parks and wastelands were earlier considered to
be the pollution free zones and people traveled to these places for relaxation.be the pollution free zones and people traveled to these places for relaxation.
Nowadays, however, the sound created by low flying military aircraft causesNowadays, however, the sound created by low flying military aircraft causes
noise pollution in these areas too.noise pollution in these areas too.

4. Effects of Noise Pollution
1)1) Human EffectsHuman Effects:: Noise health effectsNoise health effects are both health and behavioralare both health and behavioral
in nature. The unwanted sound is called noise. This unwanted sound canin nature. The unwanted sound is called noise. This unwanted sound can
damage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can causedamage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can cause
annoyance and aggression,annoyance and aggression, hypertensionhypertension, high stress levels,, high stress levels, tinnitustinnitus,,
hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.[3][4][5][6][3][4][5][6]
Furthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading causes to healthFurthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading causes to health
problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression andproblems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression and
at times panic attacks.at times panic attacks.
2)2) Wild life Effects:Wild life Effects: Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals,Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals,
increasing the risk of death by changing the delicate balance in predatorincreasing the risk of death by changing the delicate balance in predator
or prey detection and avoidance, and interfering the use of the sounds inor prey detection and avoidance, and interfering the use of the sounds in
communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation.communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation.
Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.

5. Prevention of Noise Pollution
There are a variety of strategies for mitigatingThere are a variety of strategies for mitigating roadway noiseroadway noise
including: use ofincluding: use of noise barriersnoise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of, limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of
roadway surface texture, limitation ofroadway surface texture, limitation of heavy vehiclesheavy vehicles, use of traffic controls, use of traffic controls
that smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and acceleration, and tire design.that smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and acceleration, and tire design.
An important factor in applying these strategies is aAn important factor in applying these strategies is a computer modelcomputer model forfor
roadway noiseroadway noise, that is capable of addressing local, that is capable of addressing local topographytopography,, meteorologymeteorology,,
traffic operations and hypothetical mitigation. Costs of building-in mitigationtraffic operations and hypothetical mitigation. Costs of building-in mitigation
can be modest, provided these solutions are sought in the planning stage of acan be modest, provided these solutions are sought in the planning stage of a
roadway project.roadway project.
Using loudspeakers without valid permission or in contravention ofUsing loudspeakers without valid permission or in contravention of
conditions contained in the permission is prohibited. Contravention isconditions contained in the permission is prohibited. Contravention is
punishable with imprisonment for six months or fine Rs. 1000/- or bothpunishable with imprisonment for six months or fine Rs. 1000/- or both
under the Control of Noise Act. We appeal to the public to prevent Noiseunder the Control of Noise Act. We appeal to the public to prevent Noise
Pollution in the city. Complaints against misuse of loudspeakers be made toPollution in the city. Complaints against misuse of loudspeakers be made to
the Police Control Room/ Concerned Police Stations.the Police Control Room/ Concerned Police Stations.

6. Conclusion
The different measures that one could undertake in order to reduce noiseThe different measures that one could undertake in order to reduce noise
pollution are mentioned below. The major noise pollution causes or sourcespollution are mentioned below. The major noise pollution causes or sources
are the automobiles and different types of machines. Regular servicing ofare the automobiles and different types of machines. Regular servicing of
automobiles could help in reducing the intensity of sound produced by them.automobiles could help in reducing the intensity of sound produced by them.
Lubricating the machines used in day-to-day life prove to be helpful in theirLubricating the machines used in day-to-day life prove to be helpful in their
smooth (noiseless) functioning. Use of loudspeakers should be prohibited insmooth (noiseless) functioning. Use of loudspeakers should be prohibited in
public places. Soundproofing materials need to be used in the house to reducepublic places. Soundproofing materials need to be used in the house to reduce
nose pollution.nose pollution.
The different noise pollution causes and their effects are explained in theThe different noise pollution causes and their effects are explained in the
above article. One should undertake appropriate noise pollution solutions toabove article. One should undertake appropriate noise pollution solutions to
minimize harmful effects of noise pollution.minimize harmful effects of noise pollution.
- Presented by
Saikat Rakshit.

7. Conclusion
The different measures that one could undertake in order to reduce noiseThe different measures that one could undertake in order to reduce noise
pollution are mentioned below. The major noise pollution causes or sourcespollution are mentioned below. The major noise pollution causes or sources
are the automobiles and different types of machines. Regular servicing ofare the automobiles and different types of machines. Regular servicing of
automobiles could help in reducing the intensity of sound produced by them.automobiles could help in reducing the intensity of sound produced by them.
Lubricating the machines used in day-to-day life prove to be helpful in theirLubricating the machines used in day-to-day life prove to be helpful in their
smooth (noiseless) functioning. Use of loudspeakers should be prohibited insmooth (noiseless) functioning. Use of loudspeakers should be prohibited in
public places. Soundproofing materials need to be used in the house to reducepublic places. Soundproofing materials need to be used in the house to reduce
nose pollution.nose pollution.
The different noise pollution causes and their effects are explained in theThe different noise pollution causes and their effects are explained in the
above article. One should undertake appropriate noise pollution solutions toabove article. One should undertake appropriate noise pollution solutions to
minimize harmful effects of noise pollution.minimize harmful effects of noise pollution.
- Presented by
Saikat Rakshit.