Although Mumbaikars celebrated a relatively quiet Diwali this year with fewer firecrackers and fewer days of noisy celebration, Mumbai still remains the noisest city. Whether it was so because of inflation or general awareness of noise-related dangers to health, it has led to not just reduced noise pollution but also lesser air pollution this Diwali.
According to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the average noise levels over Mumbai on the November 3 and 4 hovered between 60 decibels (dB) and 70 dB. Air pollutant levels were at an average of 139 ug/m3 compared to the average of 307 ug/m3 last Diwali. Non-governmental organisation Awaaz Foundation termed this year as the ‘Quietest Diwali in a decade’.
Noise is one of the most neglected forms of pollution even though it affects us in a more direct manner as compared to other forms. According to the World Health Organization, the safe limit for environmental noise is 55 dB and noise levels above 85 dB can cause irreparable harm to the body and mind. Sleep deprivation, annoyance and lack of concentration are results of prolonged exposure to noise which get aggravated in people with nervous conditions and can cause brain damage in babies.
“Loud noise leads to secretion of hormones which result in increased heart rate and high blood pressure. At a pub, you feel charged listening to loud music. This is because of adrenalin being secreted in your brain,” says Dr Mahesh Bedekar, a private practitioner who has filed numerous public interest litigations against noise pollution.
Despite citizens awakening to the issue of festive noise, the general traffic noise still seems to grow worse with increasing number of cars and poor driving ethics among people. Unnecessary honking is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act and so is using a musical or pressure horn.
“Unnecessary honking is a habit that people develop when they are learning to drive. Driving schools need to teach people the theory of noise rules at the start and RTOs should check the use of illegal horns right at the time of registration”, said Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation. “The police have been involved, they’ve had car-free days and they occasionally do catch violators of the honking rules but this consciousness has to come in at an individual level,” she said.
Noise levels and corresponding health effects
if levels are above...
30dBIn bedroom it causes sleep deprivation
35dBIn a classroom causes disturbance to communication and concentration
55dB Outdoors causes annoyance
70dB In industrial, commercial or traffic areas can cause the above besides gradual hearing impairment
85dB In occupational environment can cause the above and gradual hearing impairment
100dB At ceremonies and entertainment can cause all of the above and can cause irreversible hearing impairment
120dB Starts causing pain along with the above
Traffic noise levels at silence zones in city
95dB Near Lilavati hospital (7.30pm)
83db Near Breach Candy hospital (6pm)
86dB Hutatma Chowk (6pm)
86dB Near Bandra station (at junction of Hill road and SV road) (5pm)
84dB Carter road (5.30pm)
88dB Near Sion hospital (3.45pm)
87dB Near Jaslok hospital (7.25pm)
92dB JJ hospital junction (4.50pm)
88dB Byculla zoo (4.20pm)
Other than silence zones
Sion circle- 4pm- 87dB
Crawford market
5:05pm- 89dB
Gateway of India
6:30pm- 87dB
Pali naka- 9pm- 86dB
From the noise reports of Awaaz foundation at http://www.awaaz.orgrecorded on normal working days within the last year.
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