Evaluation of noise levels in al najaf al ashraf streets iraq

International INTERNATIONAL Journal of Civil Engineering JOURNAL and OF Technology CIVIL (IJCIET), ENGINEERING ISSN 0976 – AND
6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 5, Issue 11, November (2014), pp. 11-24 © IAEME
TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)
ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online)
Volume 5, Issue 11, November (2014), pp. 11-24
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EVALUATION OF NOISE LEVELS IN AL-NAJAF
AL-ASHRAF STREETS, IRAQ
Sabreen Lateef Al-Shauk
Department of Environmental Planning, College of Physical Planning,
University of Kufa , Iraq
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the levels of noise pollution in the some main and
secondary streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city for a period of 7 months, starting from February 2012
until October of the same year. Twenty five streets were selected for study and the measures were
conducted at three sites, at the beginning, middle and end of each street and compared the average
with allowable limits. Measurements are usually conducted during work time from 7:00am until
12:00 am. The study showed that the average of sound intensity for all study sites had exceeded the
limits permitted by the World Health Organization within a item commercial areas and
administrative center of the city for the period from 7:00 until 18:00 which was 55-65 dB, the
results showed that higher value of sound intensity during the study period was 79.3 dB in the Najaf
– Karbala main street while lower value for the sound intensity was 71.3 dB in the of Abu Taleb
district Street. This requires taking the necessary measures to reduce the problem of noise pollution
in the city because of its multiple negative effects.
Keywords: Noise Pollution, Lmax, Lmin, Leq, Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf.
INTRODUCTION
Noise pollution, a by-product of urbanization and industrialization, is now worldwide
recognized as a major problem for the quality of life in urban areas. The increase in the population
and in the number of circulating vehicles has led to an increase in noise pollution, but noise pollution
has been considered less than other contaminants in the environment (Mansouri et al. 2006).
In contrast to many other environmental problems, noise pollution continues to grow and is
accompanied by an increasing number of complaints from people exposed to the noise. The growth
in noisepollution is unsustainable because it involves direct, as well as cumulative, adverse health
effects. It also adversely affects future generations and has socio cultural, aesthetic and economic
effects (Yilmaz and Ozer 2005).

International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
12

The need for studies regarding urban noise pollution and its consequences on the
environmenthas motivated various researchers on the problemin several countries (Ugwuanyi et al.
2004; Zeid et al. 2000; Zheng 1996; Zannin et al. 2003).
Many researchers have reported that road trafficis the predominant and most generalized
noisesource in urban areas (Saadu et al. 1998; Bisio1996; Nelson 1998).
Noise pollution has been stated as a serious health hazard (Bies and Hansen, 1996), with
noise-related damageto humans ranging from annoyance to insanity and death (Mato and Mufuruki,
1999).
Maschke (1999) treated the impact of noise as a stress inductor, and statedthat induced stress
by noise has a psychosocial component.
Nelson (1987) reported that long term exposure to high occupational noise can result in
permanent hearingloss. Additionally, commonly experienced noise effects may include annoyance,
deterioration of sleep quality, and stress-related is chaemic heart disease (NHC, 1997; Morrell et al.,
1997).
Adverse effects due to exposure to noise may include interference with speech
communication and decreasing children’s learning skills (Mato and Mufuruki, 1999).
More recently, attempts have been made to estimate health and economic impactsdue to noise
pollution. Franssen et al. (2002) showed that significant portionof hypertension is attributed to
aircraft noise when they presented a comprehensiveapproach for assessing health consequences in
environmental impact assessmentdue to the noise resulting from the operation of Schiphol airport in
Amsterdam.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
The study aims to:
1. Evaluate noise pollution at the streets of AL-Najaf Al-Ashraf city.
2. The relationship between noise and street width.
3. The relationship between noise and vehicles number during measurements.
SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution sources are divided on two main sections : ( natural sources , and human sources )
Natural sources
1 Thunder: It is a natural phenomena that occur at certain conditions and associated with the
occurrence of another phenomenon, in other words a voice of peal and explosion occurs in the
atmosphere as a result of very high electrical charge discharge. It may occur in different form and
generates a sense of fear and dread and panic for people, young and old.
2 Wind: the air that generate sound according to the speed at which it is moving and its intensity
occur banging and peal have tremendous negative impact on the ear.
(Shhata ,2008)
Human sources
Noise pollution derives from several sources, including street traffic, aircraft, railroads,
industry, construction, consumer products, and other sources.

13
• Street Traffic

Noise that is emitted by street traffic is generated by engines, exhaust systems, tires
interacting with the road, and horns. (Bugliarello, Alexandre, Barnes, Wakstein, 1976)
• Aircraft
Aircraft noise derives primarily from airplanes' propulsion systems and from aerodynamic
noise. (Raney Cawthorn, 1979)
• Railroads
Railroads, like street traffic, are a source of surface transportation noise. The majority of
noise emitted by trains is produced by the engines or by the interaction of the wheels with the track
.Other sources of noise in railroad systems include warning signals at crossings, whistles and horns,
freight classification yards, and railroad construction and maintenance equipment. Though railroad
noise is confined to areas near tracks and is thus less pervasive than street traffic, it still represents a
significant danger to human health (Lotz Kurzweil, 1979)
• Industry
There are four main categories of industrial activity that are particularly relevant to the study
of noise: product fabrication, product assembly, power generation, and processing. Noise is
generated in all of these activities, with the majority occurring at the lower end of the frequency
spectrum. While people around an industrial facility and the people within it are both affected by
industrial noise, it is the workers within the plant that generally bear the brunt of most of
it(Bugliarello, Alexandre, Barnes, Wakstein, 1976).
• Construction
Construction noise, a major source of noise pollution, is emitted by construction equipment,
which Leasure (1979) defines as that equipment utilized at construction sites for the fabrication,
erection, modification, demolition, or removal of any structure or facility, including all related
activities such as clearing of land, site preparation, excavation, cleanup, and landscaping.
• Consumer Products
Consumer products represent a wide range of noise-producing items, and Clark (1991)
divides them into four categories: recreational (e.g. guns, model airplanes, motorcycles,
snowmobiles, go carts, all-terrain vehicles, video arcades, and private planes), hobbies/workshop
(e.g. chain saws, power saws, shop vacuums, routers, lawn mowers, and snow blowers), household
(e.g. garbage disposals, food blenders, vacuum cleaners, washers and dryers, air conditioners, and
refrigerators), and music (e.g. personal stereos, rock concerts, symphony concerts, and home
stereos).
In addition to the sources of noise pollution discussed, there are several other sources, as
well, such as sirens, agricultural noise, military noise, and noise generated by humans themselves.
Since sirens are intended to convey urgent messages, it is necessary for them to be loud enough to
attract attention (Bugliarello et al.,1976).
IMPACT OF NOISE ON HUMAN
(1) It decreases the efficiency of a man: Regarding the impact of noise on human efficiency, there
are number of experiments which point out the fact that human efficiency increases with noise
reduction,thus human efficiency is related with noise.

(2) Lack of Concentration: For better quality of work there should be concentration but noise causes
lack of concentration. In large cities, mostly all the offices are on main road, the noise of traffic or
the loud speakers of different types of horns divert the attention of the people working in offices.
(3) Fatigue: Because of noise pollution, people cannot concentrate on their work. ,thus they have to
give their more time for completing the work and they feel tiring.
(4) Abortion is caused: There should be cool and calm atmosphere during the pregnancy,unpleasant
sounds make a lady of irritative nature.Sudden noise causes abortion in females.
(5) It causes Blood Pressure: Noise pollution causes certain diseases in human. It attacks on the
person’s peace of mind. The noises are recognized as major contributing factors in accelerating the
already existing tensions of modern living. The tensions result in certain disease like blood pressure
or mental illness etc.
(6)Temporary or Permanent Deafness: The effect of noise on audition is well recognized in
Mechanics, locomotive drivers, telephone operators etc.All have their hearing impairment as a result
of noise at the place of work.Physicist, physicians psychologists are of the view that continued
exposure to noise level above 80 to 100 dB is unsafe. Loud noise causes temporary or permanent
deafness. Table(1) summarized the above impacts.
14

Table (1): shows the levels of sounds and effects on human (Jomaa, 2008)
Levels Sound levels Impacts
No.
causes pain to the auditory system anddangrous reflection on the
cardiovascular system and leads to an inability to distinguish sounds
and direction
Level higher
than 120 db
1
leads to decrease in the severity of hearing and disturbance of the
nervous system and the cardiovascular
Level between
90-110 db
2
have bad effects on the nervous system and leads to headache and
lack in ability to work and see the disturbing dreams
60-80 db
Level between
3
leads to adverse effects and reactions such as Anxiety and tension .
it affects the brain leading to discomfort and psychological
disturbance and lack of health harmony
Level between
40-50 db
4
NOISE MEASUREMENT
Noise intensity is measured using the measuring unit known as (dB Decibel) . This scale
starts from zero , as the sounds was extremely low to ( 130 ) ( dB) as the sounds causing pain . Bel
was a unit of measurement recorded by the sound device and are attributed to its explorer ,scientist
George (Bill) , uses the term db as a unit for measuring the intensity of the sound, for example, 0
dB is audible sound threshold , (10) dB represents the intensity of The rustle of the trees leaf, ( 90-
100 ) dB represents the intensity of the sound of thunder , ( 130 ) dB represents the threshold of pain
in humans , ( 140 ) dB represents the intensity of the sound of rocket launching into space. Sounds
usually divided into several degrees are: audible sounds - very quiet sounds - quiet sounds - Medium
Height sounds - too high sounds - irritating noises, and these recent sounds causing pain when it
reaches to (130) dB .(Arnaoot,2006). Noise is measured by a sound level meter; which is an
instrument which responds to sound in approximately the same way as the human ear and which

givesreproducible measurements of sound level (Mato, 1999). The equivalent continuous equal
energy level (Leq) is applied to fluctuating noise level. The Leq is defined as the constant noise level
that expends the same amount of energy as the fluctuating level over the same time period (Davis,
2004).
15
Description of Study Area

AL- Najaf Al-Ashraf city located between 44 19 longitude east and 31 59 latitude north.
According to administrative units, the city Alhaidariya in the north, city of Abu Sakhir from the
south -eastern and city of Kufa from the east. It located 160 km from capital Baghdad , 60 km, 78
km from babel and Karbala provinces respectively.
Limits of the study include all districts of AL- Najaf Al-Ashraf city, the actual range of
study involves the area that affected by noise pollution which represented by the major and
secondary streets in these districts.
Overview on the Entrances to the Main Roads of Al- Najaf Al-ashraf City and The impact of
Noise on Districts
The main ways described as the primary source from it another types of ways branched and
it considered as the basic to distribute the other ways such as secondary and rural, thus they have
high geometric properties. it consist from two separated lane: one to go and the second for return,
and every lane of which contains two passages. Main roads that connect the city with surrounded
cities include: Najaf-Karbala entrance (which characterized with high movement for all types of
vehicle) (30 vehicle per minuets) which make it large source of noise that affected surrounded
districts), Najaf-Diwaniya entrance (Pass through number of residential districts) and Najaf – kufa.
The maximum designed speed was (100-120) km/hr daily and (90-100) km/hr at night. In addition
that the ability of reach was high and can control on the vehicles that enter and leave.
Devices and programs used
1. Digital Sound Level Meter SVAN 955: measures the sound levels in decibels , Polish origin
2. GPS to take coordinates of the observation places.
3. Mobile radar device type (CE 0682viatcount ii) of the Company (via traffic control inggmbh)
to measure the number of automobiles.
4. Program (GIS) to draw and process maps and images.
RESULTS DISCUSSION
The noise levels in (26) main and secondary streets in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city were
measured by taking three readings in each street for period starting from April 2012 until the end of
October 2012. The readings took during the official working days from (8-12) AM in order to
measure the highest level of noise pollution in the city because in this period the highest readings can
be recorded. Consequently, any action to reduce the pollution will be effective because it took into
account the highest levels. Three noise levels were recorded: maximum noise level (Lmax), minimun
noise level (Lmin) and equivilant noise level (Leq) Numbers of vehicles during duration of
measurement were also computed. The Lmax., Lmin. and Leq. Levels, streets width, class and
location shown in table(2):

16

Table (2): Lmin, Lmax, Leq, Number of Vehicles, Street Width at Streets Studied
NO
Streets
Names
Location
Street
Width
(m)
Street
Class
Lmin
(db)
Lmax
(db)
Leq
(db)
Numbers
of
Vehicles
NO
Streets
Names
Location
Street
Width
(m)
Street
Class
Lmin
(db)
Lmax
(db)
Leq
(db)
Numbers
of
Vehicles
1
Karbala -
Najaf
Street 1
Near
benzen
station
50 Main 71.0 91.7 78.8 946 40
Al Furat
Street 1
Near care
department
15 Secondary 61.5 88 78.8 946
2
Karbala -
Najaf
Street 2
Near kindy
hospital
50 Main 66.5 94.9 79.4 366 41
Al Furat
Street 2
Near the
Association
members of
the al najaf
board
15 Secondary 58.8 92.5 79.4 366
3
Karbala -
Najaf
Street 3
Near
alshaheed
alsader
district
50 Main 67.0 100.2 79.7 349 42
Al Furat
Street 3
Near
alkhafaji
showroom
15 Secondary 57.2 89.7 79.7 349
4
Najaf -
Abou
Sakhir
Street 1
Near
alsultan
hotel
30 Main 69.8 91.3 78.1 587 43
Al Adalah
Street 1
Near the
amusement
park
20 Secondary 62.3 99.6 78.1 587
5
Najaf -
Abou
Sakhir
Street 2
Near
technical
institue
30 Main 61.6 97.2 77.2 266 44
Al Adalah
Street 2
Near safaa
allahibi
complex
20 Secondary 59.2 87.2 77.2 266
6
Najaf -
Abou
Sakhir
Street 3
Near
ground
water
general
authrity
30 Main 64.5 96.7 81.1 165 45
Al Adalah
Street 3
Near
alrihab
services
20 Secondary 53.4 99.4 81.1 165
7
Najaf -
Kufa
Street 1
Near ibn
belal
hospital
15 Main 64.2 101.2 75.9 271 46
Salam- Al
Jameeah
Street 1
Near abo
hikmat
office
15 Secondary 58.8 93.2 75.9 271
8
Najaf -
Kufa
Street 2
Near
alwaeli
dairy shops
15 Main 64.0 91.6 76.2 315 47
Salam- Al
Jameeah
Street 2
Near
alsalam
brick shop
15 Secondary 57.2 101.2 76.2 315
9
Najaf -
Kufa
Street 3
Near alkufa
court
15 Main 65.3 93.3 76.2 277 48
Salam- Al
Jameeah
Street 3
Near street
end
15 Secondary 60.2 96.3 76.2 277
10
Salam -
Kufa
Street 1
Near the
vulnerable
Institution
20 Secondary 60.7 93.4 73.8 270 49
University
Street 1
Near
alzena
supermarket
20 Secondary 55.7 89.6 73.8 270
11
Salam -
Kufa
Street 2
Near jamal
shakir
butcher
20 Secondary 60.6 90.8 73.5 170 50
University
Street 2
Near
alnarjis
supermarket
20 Secondary 58.3 93.7 73.5 170
12
Salam -
Kufa
Street 3
Near
alshimali
garage
20 Secondary 58.5 91 72.5 209 51
University
Street 3
Near i-phone
office for
mobile
20 Secondary 61.9 92.7 72.5 209
13
Maysan
district -
Kufa
Street 1
Near new
benzene
station
20 Main 63.1 88.7 75.7 206 52
Hawli
Street 1
Near
Gaseous
electricity
station
20 Main 56.1 97.6 75.7 206
14
Maysan
district -
Kufa
Street 2
Near alasad
shop for oil
20 Main 61.9 93.3 76 291 53
Hawli
Street 2
Near
cemetry
20 Main 53.7 103 76 291
15
Maysan
district -
Kufa
Street 3
Near
maysan
housing
complex
20 Main 62.3 90.5 74.8 314 54
Hawli
Street 3
Near sport
room
20 Main 56.0 89.1 74.8 314
16
Al
Jazeera
Street 1
Near
alwaeli
housing
complex
10 Main 53.0 87.7 70.1 278 55
Al
Madina
Street 1
Near babil
bank
15 Main 65.6 100.2 70.1 278
17
Al
Jazeera
Street 2
Near
alrafidain
shop
10 Main 56.91 92.4 70.7 197 56
Al
Madina
Street 2
Near bani
hashim
hotel
15 Main 60.5 96.2 70.7 197
18
Al
Jazeera
Street 3
Near
barakat
alhasan
sweets
10 Main 59.1 90.5 72.4 204 57
Al
Madina
Street 3
Near
alzahid
hotel
15 Main 59.9 91.1 72.4 204
19
Al
Muthanna
Street 1
Near wadi
alaqeek
hotel
20 Secondary 69.0 91.9 76.0 217 58
Al Imam
Ali Street
1
Near imam
ali bridge
20 Main 64.6 93 76.0 217
20
Al
Muthanna
Street 2
Near babil
bank
20 Secondary 68.7 95.5 76.6 136 59
Al Imam
Ali Street
2
Near check
point
20 Main 55.5 89.3 76.6 136
21
Al
Muthanna
Street 3
Near
alomaraa
pharmacy
20 Secondary 60.5 93.6 74.0 209 60
Al Soor
Street 1
Near altor
tourism
hotel
20 Main 68.1 100.1 74.0 209

17

NO
Streets
Names
Location
Street
Width
(m)
Street
Class
Lmin
(db)
Lmax
(db)
Leq
(db)
Numbers
of
Vehicles
NO
Streets
Names
Location
Street
Width
(m)
Street
Class
Lmin
(db)
Lmax
(db)
Leq
(db)
Numbers
of
Vehicles
22
Al Ansar
- Airport
Street 1
Near airport 15 Main 58.6 87.3 71.1 127 61
Al Soor
Street 2
Near zain
alaabidine
shrine
20 Main 58.4 90.4 71.1 127
23
Al Ansar
- Airport
Street 2
Near
alimamain
supermarket
15 Main 64.1 94.3 72.8 208 62
Al Soor
Street 3
Near banat
alhasan
shrine
20 Main 64.2 98 72.8 208
24
Al Ansar
- Airport
Street 3
Near faris
supermarket
15 Main 59.5 90.5 74.9 358 63
Al
Thawrah
District
Street 1
Near police
department
15 Secondary 60.5 106.4 74.9 358
25
Al -
Ghadeer
Street 1
Near
tanjrah hall
10 Secondary 61.6 94.1 77.0 294 64
Al
Thawrah
District
Street 2
Near
hanoon
garage
15 Secondary 57.2 99.9 77.0 294
26
Al -
Ghadeer
Street 2
Near
turkish beta
company
10 Secondary 60.3 94.7 75.1 284 65
Al
Thawrah
District
Street 3
Near car
garage
15 Secondary 58.2 96.9 75.1 284
27
Al -
Ghadeer
Street 3
Near asia
cell
company
10 Secondary 60.6 94.6 73.0 294 66
Al Rahma
District
Street 1
Near alsaid
alsader
shrine
20 Main 55.3 96 73.0 294
28
Al Eskan
Street 1
Near AL-Najaf
traffic
directorate
20 Main 58.4 96.9 73.4 277 67
Al Rahma
District
Street 2
Near alsaid
alsader
bather
20 Main 50.7 89.8 73.4 277
29
Al Eskan
Street 2
Near
alzahraa
hospital
20 Main 65.1 90.9 74.5 278 68
Al Rahma
District
Street 3
cemetry
street end
20 Main 45.4 92.3 74.5 278
30
Al Eskan
Street 3
Near jaafar
altayar
mosque
20 Main 66.6 98.6 76.1 275 69
Abu Talib
District
Street 1
Near
alkhaima
resturant
20 Secondary 59.0 98.6 76.1 275
31
The
Second
Al -
Ghadeer
Street 1
Near
baneqia
supermarket
10 Secondary 52.8 89.5 73.5 221 70
Abu Talib
District
Street 2
Near
General
Automotive
Company
20 Secondary 57.4 94.3 73.5 221
32
The
Second
Al -
Ghadeer
Street 2
Near khair
alsafwa
company
10 Secondary 61.1 91 74 222 71
Abu Talib
District
Street 3
Near
barakat
alzahraa
spermarket
20 Secondary 57.3 89 74 222
33
The
Second
Al -
Ghadeer
Street 3
Near street
end
10 Secondary 52.4 91 72.4 125 72
Cemetry -
Benzen
Station
Street 1
Near street
start
15 Secondary 63.6 95.9 72.4 125
34
Rowan
Street 1
Near
alomaraa
pharmacy
40 Secondary 60.5 95.8 76.7 225 73
Cemetry -
Benzen
Station
Street 2
Near check
point
15 Secondary 59.0 97.2 76.7 225
35
Rowan
Street 2
Near babil
laboratory
40 Secondary 59.7 96 73.7 401 74
Cemetry -
Benzen
Station
Street 3
Near street
end
15 Secondary 66.6 96.1 73.7 401
36
Rowan
Street 3
Near
kadhum
jabbar
mosque
40 Secondary 55.0 91.7 72.2 400 75
Hanoon
Street 1
Near
popular
bathroom
15 Secondary 72.8 97.4 72.2 400
37
Al Amir
District
Street 1
Near iraqi
lawyers
union
20 Secondary 61.95 92.9 72.5 196 76
Hanoon
Street 2
Nera alam
alsaid
15 Secondary 58.5 99.2 72.5 196
38
Al Amir
District
Street 2
Near
structural
complex
20 Secondary 64.8 89.7 74.7 277 77
Hanoon
Street 3
Near maki
sewing
15 Secondary 62.6 95.9 74.7 277
39
Al Amir
District
Street 3
Alzahraa
hospital
20 Secondary 55.5 90.4 72.8 213
From the above table and fig (1) it is clear that average noise levels (Leq) were between
(67.47-81.1) dB and most of the other readings were between (70-80) dB. The highest level of
average noise levels (Leq) was at (Najaf - Abou Sakhir Street 3) due to the passage of large vehicles
from it.(map 1 shows the Leq. Noise level in study).

18

Fig (1): Average Noise Level (Leq) on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city
Map (1): Leq. Noise Levels in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city streets studied

19

It also notes that the highest level of noise Lmax was ( 106.4 ) dB fig (2) in the Al Thawrah
District Street 1 near police department because of the movement of vehicles, vendors and most of
other readings were higher than 90 dB
Fig (2): Max Noise Level (Lmax) on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city
The lowest level of the minimum noise level L(min) was ( 45.4 ) at the Al Rahma District
Street 3 near the end of the cemetry street because few cars passes from it in ordinary days , but
this value is changed during holidays and religious occasions because of the large number of visitors.
Most of the other readings ranged between ( 50-70 ) dB as shown in fig (3)
.
Fig (3): Min Noise Level (Lmin) on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city
Relationship between Noise Levels and Numbers of Vehicles and Streets Width
It was noted that the noise levels were not affected by the number of passing vehicles and
street width and this is something that draws attention. the highest numbers of vehicles were in
(Najaf – Karbala street, Al-Ghadeer street , Al Rawan street , Cemetry -Benzene Station Street ,
Maysan district Street and Najaf - Kufa Street), as shown in fig (4) fig (5).
Fig (4): shows a comparison between the noise levels Lmax,Lmin Leq with the number of
vehicles on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city

20

Fig (5): shows a comparison between the noise levels levels Lmax,Lmin Leq with streets
width on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city
Comparison between Noise levels on the main and secondary streets
From table (2) and fig (6) it was noticed that the average noise levels Leq were not different
between the main and secondary streets while the max. and min. noise levels in secondary streets
slightly higher than it in main street. It was noticed also that Leq were high in the main entrance
of the city despite the breadth of the road and little number of vehicles and and buildings this
attributed to the movement of large vehicles from it such as in Hawli street and Najaf - Abou Sakhir
Fig (7): shows a comparison between Leq in main and secondary
Comparison of Noise Levels with WHO Limits
According to WHO limits for noise levels shown in table (3), the average noise levels (Leq)
in most of the streets of the city of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city were exceeded the limits that
mentioned previously especially at the commercial areas during the day time from 7 am until six
pm which its value between (55-65)db , thus its effects would be classified within third level
(table1) which have bad effects on the nervous system and leads to headache and lack in ability to
work and see the disturbing dreams.

Allowable limit of sound intensity
55-45 60-50 65-55 60-50
50-40 55-45 60-50 55-45
45-35 50-40 55-45 50-40
Suburbs residential with a weak
movement
40-30 45-35 50-40 45-35
Rural residential areas, hospitals and 35-25 40-30 45-35 40-30
Gardens
Industrial areas and industrial places 60-50 65-55 70-60 65-55
ranges and heavy industries
21

TABLE (3): WHO LIMITS (KHALIL, 2010)
Type the area
commercial and administrative Areas
at center of the city
Residential areas and some workshops
or business or on the road
Residential areas in city
CONCLUSION
Average daily
allowable sound
intensity db
dB
night: from 10
pm until 7:00
Evening:from 6
pm until 10 pm at
Day: from 7:00
pm until 6 pm:
This study carried out to evaluate noise pollution in the Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf cityat different
streets by taken three readings in each street during peak time from 8 am to 12 pm since this
represent the official working hours and noise levels higher than other times .number of vehicles
were also obtained which represented the main source of noise during measuring time , the
following results has been reached:
1- The noise in the Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city was exist and certain due to main roads, garage , land
and air transportation, markets, streets and other sources.
2- Noise has clear effect on comfort, productivity, health and psychological aspects in levels
differs depending on source type, intensity, exposure duration and ability of human….etc.
3- Average noise levels (Leq) were between (67.47-81.1) dB and most of the other readings were
between (70-80) dB. The highest level of average noise levels (Leq) was at (Najaf -
AbouSakhir Street 3) due to the passage of large vehicles through it.
4- the highest level of noise Lmax was ( 106.4 ) dB in the Al Thawrah District Street 1 near
police department because of the movement of vehicles, vendors and most readings were
higher than 90 dB.
5- The lowest level of the minimum noise level L(min) was (45.4) at the Al Rahma District
Street 3 near the end of the cemetery street because few cars passing through it in ordinary
days, but this value is changed during holidays and religious occasions because of the large
number of visitors. Most of the readings ranged between (50-70) dB.
6- It was noted that the noise levels were not affected by the vehicles number passing and street
width.
7- In this study the streets which have high numbers of vehicles were (Najaf - Karbala street,
Al-Ghadeer street, Al Rawan street, Cemetery -Benzen Station Street, Maysan district Street
Najaf - Kufa Street),

8- It was noticed that the average noise levels Leq were not different between the main and
22

secondary streets while the max. and min. noise levels in secondary streets slightly higher than
it in main streets .
9- It was noticed that Leq were high in the main entrance of the city such as Hawli street and
Najaf - AbouSakhir despite the breadth of the road and few buildings and the little number of
vehicles and this attributed to the movement of large vehicles through it.
10- Average noise levels (Leq) at most of the streets have exceeded the limits of the World Health
Organization at the commercial areas during the day time from 7 am until six pm which its
value between (55-65)db, thus its effects classified within third level which have bad effects
on the nervous system and leads to headache and lack in ability to work and see the disturbing
dreams.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Noise control one of the dilemmas of modern life that threaten human health and comfort, it
requires a number of engineering, technical organizational, educational, administrative, legal
procedures can be summerized as:
1- Control the noise emitted from the industry and regulate sources of noise by placing noise
devices on insulation floors, or putting soundproof material in order to reduce the sound waves
from spreading outside,. It can also control noise sources by making some changes in the
engineering of machines and the workers who work in the factories with high noise level
should put silencers for their own safety.
2- Planning special sites for industry, crafts and industrial workshops, isolate machines in
factories and install it by following special engineering methods.
3- Activating the laws that governing the movement of different vehicles, and Tightening
sanctions on motorists whom their cars have defects in their engines or in the exhaust devices,
which issue annoying sounds during operation or movement as well as putting restrictions on
the use of alarm in different transportation means.
4- Issuing the necessary legislation and applying it strictly to prevent the use of vehicle alarms,
monitoring vehicle's engines and avoid using the annoying, prevent motorcycles that do not
contain silencers and work on the passage of large trucks on their own roads.
5- Develop a comprehensive traffic plans to ensure the flow of traffic as much as possible without
traffic jams which is one of the main causes of road noise by putting indicative signs for the
citizen in the obvious places of the city and allocation places for parking in commercial areas.
6- Prevent the use of amplifiers and recording devices on streets or cafes, and shops and legislate
laws that limit voice level for recording equipment, television and radio, which can disturb
neighborhood and legislation laws to protect the environment includes all the wrong behaviors
that fall from some citizens and identify deterrent penalties for perpetrators in order to make
sounds that emitted from sources be within the permissible limits.
7- Replanning the city and the roads and construction of buildings impermeable to soundby using
soundproof construction materials and techniques and taken into account in planning that sites
of residential area, schools and hospitals should be far from sources of noise with no licensing
for building factories and industrial workshops inside or close to neighborhoods residential
but it should be built in special industrial zones outside the city.
8- In planning and design of buildings sensitive to noise such as (hospitals, schools, public
libraries, etc) must be spaced from noise sources especially roads with high number of
vehicles, noise intensity must not be more than 40 db in schools and (30-35) db in hospitals

23

and it must be surrounded by sufficient array of trees because trees work as buffer to noise
since each array of trees reduces the intensity of the noise at a rate of 8 dB.
9- Increasing the cultivation of trees and green spaces on both sides of roads and in the medians
of these roads, large Attention should be given to Afforestation of the city and the
establishment of parks and increasing the green areas around houses, schools, hospitals, and
surrounding the cities with belts of green trees so as to absorb sounds and reduce the severity,
especially in too crowded neighborhoods.
10- Local authorities must encourage the citizens on the using of silencers generators instead of
ordinary generators that make high scattered sounds in all parts of the city and affecting nearby
residents.
11- Peddlers must be monitored and prevent them from behaviors that they practice that results in
Nuisance to citizens and provide places as markets in neighborhoods and in order to protect
citizens from noise during the announcement of the subversive contraband. In addition to
Putting tight restrictions for the use of horns in general and especially votes stimulant used in
trucks for sale gas (alarm antenna) as well as for Stautat with preventing their use near
hospitals and schools with tuning processions accompanying joys.
12- Publishing environmental awarness on the dangrous of noise by local, central, religious or
social authoruties.
13- Prepare suitable iraqi specification include allowable noise limits in collaboration with iraqi
environment ministry and environmental protection associations and monitoring the
application of standards listed.
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Issue 1, 2010, pp. 23 - 31, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6405, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6413.

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