A new survey report of the Department of Environment (DoE) reveals that, putting the public health at risk, noise pollution, known in other words as sound pollution, has turned acute in the capital city of Dhaka. It is found that noise pollution always goes far beyond the permissible level in the city. The 2017 survey was conducted at 70 points of the city. It shows that sound pollution has reached the highest 120-130 decibel (dB) at many city points. This is almost double of the permissible or acceptable level.
Sound pollution or noise pollution is the disturbing noise with harmful impact on the activity and health of human or animal life. The source of ambient sound countrywide or worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor-vehicles engines and construction works as well.
As per the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, the acceptable sound conditions for Bangladesh are as follows: (i) 50 dB for daytime and 40 dB for the night in silent areas; (ii) 50 dB for daytime and 45 dB for the night in residential areas; (iii) 60 dB for the daytime and 50 dB for night in mixed areas comprising residential, commercial and industrial localities; (iv) 70 dB for daytime and 60 dB for the night in commercial areas; and (v) 75 dB for daytime and 70 dB for the night in industrial areas.
Noise pollution, the survey shows, has increased alarmingly at different parts of the capital city. The findings of the survey indicate that the highest noise level recorded at Farmgate area was 130.2 dB during daytime and the lowest 65.7 dB at night. The noise level was above 120 dB during daytime at Paltan intersection, Moghbazar intersection, Gabtoli, Tannery Intersection of Hazaribagh, Nikunja, Rampura (DIT Ulan Road), Arambagh intersection, Dhanmondi road-5, Gulshan-1 intersection, Gulshan-2 intersection, Rayerbazar (Mukti Cinema Hall), Tajmahal Road of Mohammadpur, BGB Bazar of Hazaribagh, Madrasah Road of Jurain, Gulistan intersection, Mirpur 10 intersection, Mollah Road of Ibrahimpur, Mirpur-1 intersection, Ceramic intersection of Pallabi, English Road, Banglamotor, Shahjahanpur, Jatrabari intersection, Bongshal, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhanmondi Boys Govt School, New Market, Shishu Hospital, Islampur, Elephant Road, Dholaipar of Jatrabari, Panthapath signal of Green Road, Saidabad, Shantinagar intersection, Lalmatia, Shankar of Dhanmondi, Kakrail Intersection, Mascot Plaza of Uttara, Kazipara, Shahjalal Avenue of Uttara, New Paltan of Azimpur, Motijheel intersection, Tejgaon intersection and Jagannath University. The lowest sound level was found 99.6 dB during daytime and 43.7 dB at night at Road-18 of Uttara-14 among the 70 points covered by the new survey.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that, generally 60 dB sounds can make a man deaf temporarily and 100 dB sounds can cause complete deafness. Sound or noise pollution causes mental and physical illness among the people. Added to these it causes high blood pressure, headache, indigestion, ulcer, and also affects sleep. If 100 dB or more noise pollution occurs for half an hour or more in any place, anyone may become deaf for the time being. If one is affected from sound pollution for a long time his or her hearing capacity will dwindle gradually, and he or she may eventually become sound impaired. Working in chaotic noise for a long period of time can cause complete deafness to people. Children are adversely affected from sound pollution since it stimulates their brains.
A study shows that due to high noise pollution about 10 per cent of Dhaka city dwellers are now hearing impaired and 35 per cent are suffering from low-hearing.
The Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 has been made to protect public health from sound pollution. But the DoE has so far miserably failed to enforce the rule putting the health of people at risk. The DoE has admitted that the existing level of sound pollution - 80-120 dB - is much higher than the acceptable level. This may cause harm to people's health. The DoE said that it is not able to implement the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 due to its limitations. However, it stressed the need for creating awareness among the people about the adverse impacts of noise pollution.
The writer is a retired Professor of Economics, BCS General Education Cadre.
