In August this year, a noise mapping exercise undertaken by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) showed that the average noise levels from all categories was found to be higher during the day when compared to night, including in silence zones.
Calling the recently released environmental guidelines for the European Region by the World Health Organisation (WHO) the most detailed report on noise pollution thus far, activists said Mumbai, which is far noisier, also needs a study detailing different sources of noise.
Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation, which is leading the anti-noise pollution crusade, said WHO has clearly said noise pollution results in cardio-vascular diseases, cognitive and hearing impairment, tinnitus, adverse birth outcomes, and impacts the quality of life and well-being. "Impact of noise will be the same everywhere, be it Europe or Mumbai. It's important we take this report seriously, keeping health issues in mind," she said.
Abdulali said it was interesting to find that the WHO report recommends total noise exposure from all sources combined should not exceed 70 dB, and the WHO guideline development group strongly recommended reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB during the day and below 45 dB during night.
In August this year, a noise mapping exercise undertaken by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) showed that the average noise levels from all categories was found to be higher during the day when compared to night, including in silence zones. For instance, while average noise levels were recorded to be 88.7dB near major roads during day, it was found to be 82.1dB during night.
"A corresponding study should be undertaken here with recommendations for individual noise sources and combined noise sources from railways, traffic, aircraft, etc. The scope of the NEERI report could be expanded to do this," she added.
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