DISCUSSION ON NOISE POLLUTION MONITORING & ASSESSMENT

Most of us are very used to the sounds that we hear in our dailt life. Loud music, television, people talking on their phone, traffic and even animals barking in the middle of the night. All of these have become a part of the urban culture and rarely disturbs us. However, when the sound of the television keeps you from sleeping at night or the traffic starts to give you headache, it stops becoming just noise and start turning into noise pollution. For many of us, the concept of pollution is limited to nature and resources. However, noise that tends to disrupt the natural norms of life is a pollutant.

By definition, noise pollution takes place when there is either excessive amount of noise or an unpleasant sound that causes temporary disruption in the natural balance. This definition is usually applicable to sounds or noises that are unnatural. Our environment is such that is become difficult to escape noise. Even electrical appliances at home have a constant hum or beeping sound. Lack of urban planning increases the exposure to unwanted sounds. This is why understanding in noise pollution is necessary.

There are many causes that can be identified around the area that contribute to noise pollution. 

1. Poor Urban Planning: In most of the developing countries, poor urban planning also play a vital role. Congested houses, large families sharing small space, fight over parking leads to noise pollution which may disrupt the environment of society.

2. Transportation: Large number of vehicles on roads. The high noise leads to a situation wherein a normal person lose the ability to hear properly.

3. Construction Activities: Under construction activities like reconstruction of roads. These construction activities take place near the morning market.

While this form of pollution may seem harmless, it in fact has far reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Humans are facing a number of problems due to pollution.

All causes stated above do have effects on human and animals around the area.

1. Hearing Problems: Any unwanted sound that our ears have not been built to filter can cause problems within the body. Our ears can take in a certain range of sounds without getting damaged. Man made noises such as vehicles can be too loud for our hearing range. Constant exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our ear drums and loss of hearing. It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body.

2. Health Issues: Excessive noise pollution in can influence psychological health. Studies show that the occurrence of aggressive behavior, disturbance of sleep, constant stress, fatigue and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. These in turn can cause more severe and chronic health issues later in life.

3. Trouble Communicating: High decibel noise can put trouble and may not allow two people to communicate freely. This may lead to misunderstanding and you may get difficult understanding the other person.

As for now, there are less existing solutions to reduce sound pollution. On a personal level, everybody can help reducing the noise in their homes by lowering the volume of the radio, music system and the television. Listening to music without headphones is also a good step forward. Removal of public loudspeakers is another way in which the pollution can be countered.

Better urban planning can help in creating ‘No-Noise’ zones, where honking are not tolerated. It is only when our understanding noise pollution is complete, can we take steps to eradicate it completely.