noise pollution in asia (physics presentation)

2. Motivation
o Concerns about the Asia’s noise epidemic
o Unbearable cause of harming the hearing and
health of the people

4. What is noise?
In simple terms, noise is
unwanted sound.
Sound is a form of
energy which is emitted
by a vibrating body and
on reaching the ear
causes the sensation of
hearing through nerves.

5. A noise problem generally
consists of three inter-related
elements-
• the source,
• the receiver and
• the transmission path.

6. Noise measurement
The intensity of
sound is measured in
sound pressure levels
(SPL) and common
unit of
measurement is
decibel, dB.

7. World health Organization
Safe limit noise level:
70 decibels (dBA)

8. An approximate guide to decibel level safety:
150-160 = Eardrum rupture
140 = Aircraft carrier deck.
130 = Jet take-off (100 meters), gun blast at close range.
120 = Human pain threshold, loud rock concert.
110 = Serious hearing damage if sustained for more than 1 hour.
100 = Serious hearing damage if sustained for more than 8 hours.
90 = Likely hearing damage if sustained for more than 8 hours.
80 = Potential but unlikely hearing damage if sustained for more than 8 hours.
70 = Just annoying, but probably safe.
60 = Typical conversational volume.
50 = A quiet, library conversation.
40 = A whisper.
30 = Barely audible sound.
20 = Threshold of human hearing.

9. There are a variety of noises that can
be classed as a nuisance
1. Domestic Noise
2. Barking Dogs
3. Entertainment Noise from Pubs and Clubs
4. Noise from Industrial or Commercial Premises
5. Noise from Construction and Demolition Sites
6. Noise from DIY Activities
7. Intruder Alarms
8. Fireworks

16. Impacts of noise
Why bother about noise?

18. “Immune to the noise is a MYTH… the
clamor around you also seem less
bothersome simply because you are slowly
losing your hearing.”

20. “Noise over 100dBA takes only 15 minutes
to harm our hearing…”

22. “young people increased their MP3 volume loud
enough to cover the background noise… the
misconception that hearing loss only happens
to old people only fuels the problem”

23. Tinnitus
- the ringing or any other high-pitched sound
like buzzing, hissing, humming or whistling
- can cause loss of sleep and concentration

24. “our bodies have an inbuilt fight or flight of
response, so when it hears a loud noise it
prepares to react as if that noise is a threat or
warning”

25. …it’s not just adults end up suffering. If no steps
are taken to lessen the effects of noise, a
significant percentage of future generations
may suffer as well…

28. “Because they are still learning how to speak,
children in noisy areas have more difficulty
understanding language and developing
essential skills in distinguishing the sounds of
speech”

30. Noise Pollution Effects Marine Life

31. “Of all their senses, sound is the one on which
they rely on most. An increasing amount of
noise pollution in their environment can have
a major, and even fatal, impact on the
animals.”

32. Annoyance
Physiological effects
Loss of hearing
Human performance
Nervous system
Sleeplessness
Damage to material

34. So Keep it Down Already
Hong Kong – they have installed barriers and
screens along new roads but there are still 655
roads that generate noises greater than 70 dBA
Thailand - Quiet Bangkok Club to pressure the
government to reduce noise pollution

35. New South Wales, Australia- a ban was made
in 2008 to disable households to use
domestic air conditioners at night as a
solution to reduce noise.

36. The following steps can be taken by the authorities concerned
for the betterment of the countrymen especially the city
dwellers:
• Make people aware of the effects of noise
• Stop horn of vehicles on the city streets
• Ban the hydraulic horns of vehicles like those
used by some bus, trucks etc.
• Ban private use of loud speakers, mikes etc.,
e.g., in election campaigns or other publicity

37. Summary
Whether knowingly or unknowingly, everyone of us
contribute to noise pollution.
Identify the sources of noise pollution.
Efforts shall be made to reduce the undesired noise
levels from (unwanted) noise generating sources.

38. It is high time that everyone should do this bit
in curbing the noise pollution, which is
otherwise becoming as effective as SLOW
POISONING.

39. References
• http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/causes-and-effects-of-noise-pollution-
4478.html
• http://stress.about.com/od/situationalstress/a/noise052107.htm
• http://www.noisynoise.com/index/2.php
• http://www.cravendc.gov.uk/Craven/Business/EnvironmentalProtection/NoisePoll
ution/Alarms/
• http://discovery.bits
• pilani.ac.in/dlpd/courses/coursecontent/courseMaterial%5Cetzc362%5CNoice_Poll
ution_notes.pdf
• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-cities-have-the-worst-pollution.htm
• http://www.nation.com.pk/
• http://www.noisynoise.com/79184325/kolkata_tries_to_reduce_noise_pollution.p
hp
• http://www.csr-asia.com/index.php