it contains bassic definition of noise vs sound, noise pollution, sources, factors affecting health whether human or animal, controlling measures of noise pollution, mitigation and legislation for noise pollution.

2. NOISE
POLLUTION
NAME: FARHAT NAZ
REG. NO.# PPHL-02183025
MPHIL PUBLIC HEALTH
3RD SEM
Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL AND
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

3. SOUND AND NOISE
Physically, there is no difference between sound and
noise.
Sound is a sensory perception and noise is undesired
sound.
“It is a form of energy which is emitted by a
vibrating body and on reaching the ear causes the
sensation of hearing through nerves.”

4. Latin word “nausea”, (seasickness).
By extension, noise is any unwarranted disturbance
within a useful frequency band (NIOSH, 1991).
WHAT IS NOISE?
NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

5. NOISE POLLUTION,
“A type of energy pollution in which
distracting, irritating or damaging sounds
are freely audible.”
Pollutants are waves which interfere with
naturally
occurring similar
type of waves in
the same
environment.

6. Based on a 2011–2012 CDC study involving
hearing tests and interviews with participants, found
hearing loss in one or both ears from exposure to
loud noise.
At least 10 million adults (6 percent) in the U.S.
under age 70
Perhaps as many as 40 million adults (24 percent
As many as 17 percent of teens (ages 12 to 19)
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/1/e39.long.

7. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 50% of
persons aged 12-35 years could be exposed to unsafe levels of
sound from the use of personal audio devices. Around 40% of
persons in that age range could be exposed to potentially
damaging levels of sound at entertainment venues.
The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that in
2014, an estimated 21.0% ofadults aged ≥18 years had
difficulty following a conversation amid background noise,
11.2% had ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and 5.9% had
sensitivity to everyday sounds.
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/public_health_scientific_info.html

8. TERMS
• Frequency:
The no. of cycles repeated in unit time duration.
Unit: cycle/sec or hz ( 1 hz = 1 cycle /sec)
• Hertz (Hz):
A measure of the number of waves that pass a given
point per second of time.
• Intensity:
Amount of sound energy received / sec.
Unit: decibel ( dB).
• Decibel:
The logarithm to the base 10 to ratio of two intensities.
Lt =10 log 10 (I/Io) dB
Where, I = Measured Intensity
Io = Reference Intensity
Lt = Level of noise in dB

9. A sound level meter is a measuring instrument used to assess
noise or sound levels by measuring sound pressure
Sound Pressure Level (SPL) Meter,
Noise Meter Or Noise Dosimeters,
Decibel (Db) Meter, and
Octave Band Analyzers.
The most common unit of acoustic measurement for sound is the
decibel (dB);
Some sound level meter devices also determine the equivalent
continuous sound level (Leq) and other acoustic parameters.
SOUND LEVEL METER / NOISE LEVEL
METER

10. Acoustics is the science that deals with the
production, transmission, and reception of
sound.
The frequency limits of audibility = 20 HZ to 20,000 HZ.
http://www.scienceclarified.com/A-Al/Acoustics.html#ixzz66SZnIyCj

11. MECHANISM OF HEARING

12. Sound waves set vibration on ear drum which is made
up of membrane in the upper ear.
This vibration induces movement of three small soft
bones, called ossicles namely; malleus, incus,
and stapes in the middle ear behind the ear drum.
The movement of the soft bones pass through viscous
fluid called, endolymph, fills the membranous
labyrinth in the inner ear creating oscillation of fluid.
This oscillation reaches to the auditory nerves (8th
cranial nerve or Vestibulocochlear nerve) and finally
transmitted to the brain where it is identified and
interpreted into different frequencies.
MECHANISM OF HEARING

13. Few significant measurement parameters are:
i) Type of noise i.e. whether it is continuous,
impulsive, intermittent or repetitive etc;
ii) Its overall sound pressure level i.e. loudness or
intensity;
iii) Variation of the sound pressure level with time;
iv) Spectral composition i.e., whether it is narrow
band or broad band and/or a complex mixture of many
different frequencies within the human hearing
frequency range;
v) Duration of sound; and
vi) Time of the day.
PARAMTERS TO MEASURE NOISE:

14. 1. Continuous noise:
The noise whose maxima (highest levels) occur more often
than once per second.
It is produced by the machinery that operates without
interruption e.g. pumps, compressors and processing
equipments etc.
2. Intermittent noise:
It is not continuous with time i.e., taking alternating periods
of start and stop e.g. drill machines.
3. Impulse noise:
It gives rise to instantaneous sharp sound for a small time
duration and then diminishes e.g. blasting.
The sound pressure may be from 40dB (minimum) to 200
plus dB (sufficient to destroy internal organs).

15. Decibel(dB) SOURCES OF NOISE

16. SOUND AVERAGE RANGE
Normal conversation 60-70 dBA
Movie theater 74-104 dBA
Motorcycles and dirt bikes 80-110 dBA
Music through headphones at maximum
volume, sporting events and concerts
94-110 dBA
Siren 110-129 dBA
Fireworks show 140-160 dBA
Noise-induced hearing loss. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders; 2014 (NIDCD Fact Sheet; NIH Pub. No. 14-4233;
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/staticresources/health/hearing/NIDCD-Noise-InducedHearing-
Loss.pdf, accessed 22 October 2014)

17. SOURCES OF NOISE
POLLUTION
 Household Sources
 Social Events
 Commercial and Industrial Activities
 Sources of construction noise
 Sources of industry noise
 Transportation

18. HOUSEHOLD SOURCES
Food Mixer
Grinder
Vacuum Cleaner
Washing machine and Dryer
Air Conditioner
Straighter and curlers
Cooler
TV
iPods and Earphones
Loud speaker

19. SOCIAL EVENTS
Places of Worship
Discos and Gigs
Parties
Markets where people sell goods with loudspeaker.
When these events are not often, they can be termed
as nuisance rather than noise pollution.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIALACTIVITIES
Printing Presses
Manufacturing Industries
Construction Sites

20. SOURCES OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE
Pneumatic Hammers
Air Compressors
Bulldozers
Loaders
Dump Trucks
Pavement breakers

21. TRANSPORTATION
Road Traffic Noise
Aircraft Noise
Noise from Rail Roads
SOURCES OF INDUSTRY NOISE
Fans
Motors
Compressors mounted outside
This interior noise have significant impact on
workers, among them noise induced hearing loss is
unfortunately common.

22. EFFECTS OF NOISE
POLLUTION
 Effects on Animals
 Effects on Human
Damage risk criteria for hearing loss (OSHA regulations)
OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Administration

23.  Damages the nervous system of animal.
 Animal looses the control of its mind.
 Causes stress, increasing risk of mortality by changing the
delicate balance in predator/prey detection and avoidance,
& interfere with their use of sounds in communication
especially in relation to reproduction, feeding behavior,
and in navigation.
 Noise also makes species communicate louder, which is
called Lombard vocal response.
 High noise levels may interfere with the natural cycles of
animals, including breeding rituals and migration paths.
 Scientists and researchers have conducted experiments that
show whales song length is longer when submarine-
detectors are on.
EFFECT ON ANIMALS

24.  Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
Chronic exposures cause metabolic damage to
cochlea, eventual cell death.
 Mechanical damage (acoustic trauma)
Whether listening to loud music in headphones or
being exposed to loud drilling noises at work, heavy
air or land traffic, or separate incidents in which noise
levels reach dangerous intervals such as around 140
dB for adult or 120 dB for children and 180 dB can
even kill a person.
EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

25. Highly debilitating disorder characterized by an
increased sensitivity to certain frequencies and volume
ranges of sound (a collapsed tolerance to usual
environmental sound).
 Presbyacusis:
The progressive and irreversible hearing loss that is
common among individuals aged 60-65 years or more.
It is worsening with persistent noise.
Interference with spoken communication
Decrease in efficiency
Dementia & lack of concentration
Fatigue
Tinnitus and hyperacusis

26.  Cardiovascular effects
If the exposure is of sufficient intensity leads to:
cardiovascular effects including; increases in heart rate and
↑ peripheral vascular resistance
 Hypertension
Changes in blood pressure (rise of 5 to 10 mmHg on 8 hrs of
exposure to even 70 db of sound level), blood viscosity and
blood lipids; and
 Electrolyte imbalance
Shifts in electrolyte balance (Mg/Ca)
Significantly elevate gastrointestinal motility in
humans.
Hormonal responses may appear (Ad, N.E , cortisol)

27.  Sleep disturbances are usually caused by constant air or
land traffic at night, and they are a serious condition in that
they can affect everyday performance and lead to serious
diseases.
 Children development is more sensitive to noise
pollution, and a number of related diseases and
dysfunctions are known, from hearing impairment to
psychological and physical effects like; communication,
recreation, annoyance, etc.
Use of music players at high volumes are at risk of developing
hearing dysfunctions. Agenda 21: UNCED 1992
In 2001, it was estimated that 12.5% of American children
between the ages of 6 to 19 years had impaired hearing in one
or both ears.

28.  Noise annoyance:
definition of annoyance is "a feeling of displeasure
associated with any agent or condition, known or
believed by an individual or group to adversely affect
them" (Lindvall & Radford 1973; Koelega 1987).
 Psychological dysfunction
including anxiety; emotional stress; nervous
complaints; nausea; headaches; instability;
argumentativeness; sexual impotency; changes in
mood; increase in social conflicts, as well as general
psychiatric disorders such as neurosis, psychosis and
hysteria.

29. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/03/these-are-the-cities-with-the-worst-noise
pollution/
EFFECTS OF NOISE ON HEALTH

30. EXPOSURE & CONTROL
OF NOISE
1.CONTROLAT RECEIVERS END
For people working in noisy areas limiting worker
exposure, or using effective protective equipments
like ear plugs, muffs, noise helmets, head phones etc
should be provided it reduces occupational exposure.

31. “Safe” NIHL exposure limits:
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
– 8-hr Permissible Exposure Limit of 90 dBA
– Will result in NIHL in >25% of
individuals after 40 years
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health
– 8-hr Recommended Exposure Limit of 85 dBA
– Will result in NIHL in 8% of exposed individuals
after 40 years

32. • Environmental Protection Agency/World Health
Organization
– 24-hr recommended limit of 70 dBA
– Completely protective against NIHL after 40 years,

33. 2.CONTROLLING AT SOURCE
1. Only possible with improved working methods.
2. Designing new machines(quieter machines) to
replace noisy ones
3. Isolating the noise source like proper lubrication
and better, maintenance of machines.
4. Installing noisy machines with sound absorbing
materials.
5. Using silencer to control noise from automobiles
etc.
6. Using acoustic materials.

34. ACOUSTIC MATERIALS
Sound
Absorbers
Sound Diffusers Noise
Barriers
Sound
Reflectors
And Isolators
Wall panels Quadra pyramid
diffusers
Vibration control
Ceiling clouds Pyramid diffuser Composite
Ceiling tiles Quadratic diffuser
Ceiling baffle Double duty diffuser
Broadband baffle
Absorbers

35. WHO: Exposure Limits
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that
noise exposure levels should not exceed 70 dB over a 24-hour
period, and 85 dB over a 1-hour period to avoid hearing
impairment.
NIOSH Workplace Recommendations
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) recommends that the highest
permissible level of noise exposure in the workplace
is an average of 85 dB over an 8 hour day.

36. 3. PLANTING OF TREES
Planting of trees and shrubs along roads, hospitals,
educational institutions help in noise reduction to a
considerable extent.

37. NOISE MITIGATION:
There are a variety of effective strategies for mitigating
adverse sound levels
 Use of noise barriers.
 Limitation of vehicle speeds
 Alteration of roadway surface texture.
 Limitation of heavy duty vehicles
 Use of traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce
braking and acceleration, innovative tire design and other
legistations.

38. LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Strict legislative measures are needed to be enforced
to control the nuisance of noise pollution. Some of the
measures are:
A) Minimum use of loud speakers, near silence
zones.
B) Banning pressure horns in automobiles
C) Framing a separate noise pollution act.

39. Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak - EPA)
exercising its power under clause (d) of section of the Pakistan
Environmental Protection Ordinance (PEPO),1983.
Noise Regulation Rules under the Environment (Protection)
Act of 1986.
Features:
 Industrial- 75db
 Commercial- 65 db
 Residential zones- 55 db
 Zones of silence
 No public address system after 10:00 pm and before 06:00
am.
NOISE POLLUTION IN PAKISTAN

40. III. The Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969
Following Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969 are relevant to the
topic.
Rule 154(2): No motor vehicle shall be fitted with horn giving
a succession of different notes or any other sound producing
device playing unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise.
Rule 155(1): Every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a device
(hereinafter referred to a silencer) which by means of an
expansion chamber or otherwise reduces as far as may be
reasonable and practicable the noise that would otherwise be
made by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine.
Rule 158: Every motor shall be so constructed and maintained
as not to cause undue production of noise when in motion.
Rule 226(1): No driver of motor vehicle driver shall sound the
horn or other device for giving audible warning with which the
motor vehicle is equipped or shall cause or allow any other
person to do so continuously or to an extent beyond what is
necessary to ensure safety.
Rules 252: Except to avoid an imminent accident no person
shall sound the horn or other audible warning device of any
motor vehicle within the limits of a stand, parking place or cab-
rank.
Special law relating to prohibition of noise pollution in
excess of National Environmental Quality Standards is
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, (PEPA) 1997.
Few provisions of PEPA dealing with noise.
I. Section 2(xxx) of PEPA defines as "Noise" means
the intensity, duration and character from all sources,
and includes vibrations.
II. Section 11 of PEPA describes that “ No Person
shall discharge or emit or allow to discharge or
emission of any effluent or waste or air pollutant or
noise in an amount, concentration or level which is in
excess of the National Environmental Quality
Standards.

41. III. Section 15(1) declares "Subject to the provisions of this
Act and the rules and regulations made there under, no person
shall operate a motor vehicle from which air pollutants or
noise are being emitted in an amount, concentration or level
which is in excess of the National Environmental Quality
Standards.
The Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969
Following Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969 are relevant to the
topic.
Rule 154(2): No harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise horns.
Rule 155(1): silencer fitted.
Rule 158: Every motor shall be so constructed and maintained
as not to cause undue production of noise when in motion.

42. REFERENCE
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/hearingprograms.html
https://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/Comnoise3.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/public_health_scientific_info.html#targettext
=the%20world%20health%20organization%20(who,period%20to%20avoid%20heari
ng%20impairment.
www.edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/air
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution
www.controlairpollution.com
Environmental studies by R. Rajgopalan
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/airpollution
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/docs/CDCPresentationNeitzel-508.pdf