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Published in IIPS Mumbai,
ENVIS center, Volume 3, No. 1, March 2006
An Apprehensions from Residents In Delhi:
Increasing Levels Of Noise
Pollution
By
P.Lal,Manju Rahi,Pragya Sharma,G.K.Ingle
INTRODUCTION
Sound is caused by vibration of substances, which may be in
solid, liquid or gas. The substances, which produce sound, are
called generators or sound sources. Noise is considered as any
unwanted or undesired feeling of sound that may adversely
affect the health and well being of individuals or population.
It is the wrong sound, in the wrong place, at the wrong time (CPCB,
2001) . Most of the machines that have been developed for
industrial purpose, for high- speed transportation or to make
life more enjoyable, by furnishing additional comfort,
reducing the drudgery of life, and speeding up our daily
routines, are accompanied by noise.
Noise prevention and control is important
as noise affects us in hearing, ability to communicate and
behavior. Lesser noise can make the environment friendlier and
life more pleasant(CPCB, June 2001).Central Pollution Board
Survey reveals that in Delhi the ambient noise level has been
observed to be ranging from 69-78 dB in different zones during
1999 in a survey done by CPCB (Central Pollution Control
Board), New Delhi. Even in hospitals considered as "Silence
Zones", ambient noise level was observed to be of 67dB (CPCB,
Jan 2001). These levels could create problem not
only to the patients but also to the general public. With this
background, present study has been conducted with the
objectives
to find out
(1)
Perception of general population about problem of noise
pollution and their knowledge regarding its sources.
(2)
The harmful effects caused by noise pollution on human health
and possible solutions to curb the menace.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The
present study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in five
zones of Delhi .A total of 150 subjects including 30 people
from each of the
five zones namely East, West, South, North and Central regions
were contacted. To select a
candidate, first a school/Hospital (since these places are
more likely to be disturbed due to noise) was identified and
then 30 people in each direction within a range of one km were
contacted at random. In case of no response, another subject
from next house was interviewed. The participants were
interviewed on a semi structured pretested proforma after
taking their verbal consent .The proforma contained open ended
questions related to demographic details, whether they felt
noise is a problem, sources and reasons of increasing noise
pollution in the city and suggestions to alleviate the problem
of noise pollution. The data was analyzed using Epi info
version 6.04.
RESULTS:
Out of 150 people contacted, 14 refused to participate and 136
(90.7%) perceived noise as a problem. More than half of the
respondents were males (53%). Majority (44.8%) of them
belongs to 31-45 years of age group. (Table 1)
Table
1: Age and Sex wise distribution of study subjects
|
Age
(Yrs) |
Sex |
Total |
|
|
Male n=72 |
Female n=64 |
n=136 |
|
18-30 |
21(43.8) |
27(56.2) |
48(35.2) |
|
31-45 |
33(54.1) |
28(45.9) |
61(44.8) |
|
46-60 |
09(60.0) |
06(40.0) |
15(11.1) |
|
>60 |
07(58.3) |
05(41.7) |
12(8.9) |
Note:
Figures in parentheses denotes percentages
Traffic as a source of noise pollution was conceded by 70.5%
of responses, loud speakers (63%), generators (52.9%) and
factories (36%) were some of the other sources cited. No
police action or penal measure taken against the deterrent was
thought to be the major reason (52.2%) for increasing noise
pollution. No respect for rules and regulations by the people
(44%) and problem of increasing population (7.3%) were other
reasons. (Table 2)
*
Associate Professor,**Senior Resident,*** Prof. & Head,Maulana
Azad Medical College,New Delhi - -2
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