Introduction:
The term noise pollution is categorized as unwanted and
unnatural sound that causes disturbance in a habitat. Noise
pollution has disagreeable effects on the environment as it
causes undesirable consequences on the daily activities. Any
sound that is more than 75dB is categorized as noise pollution.
Noise pollution is both present on land and water.
Following in the next page is the figure that categorized some
of the sources of sounds and their “Decibel Units”.
Decibel Units
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Source
Fireworks
Jet Engine
Siren
Trombone
Helicopter
Hair Dryer
Truck
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
Car
Conversation
Refrigerator
Rain
Rustle of Leaves
Whisper
Breath
---
Noise pollution modifies Social Behaviors, Physical and Mental
Health of Humans as well as animals. It can disrupt the
communication between two interactives, increases chances
of death, cause serious brain trauma, hearing trauma,
psychological trauma, and disturb sleep patterns.
Noise Pollution in Lahore:
Lahore is a metropolitan city in Pakistan that compromises a
huge population in its geographical area. People from all over
Pakistan come to the main city of the province Punjab in search
of job and better opportunities but this uncontrolled activity of
migration into Lahore increases the chances of noise pollution
and therefore significantly increases the number of individuals
being affected by it in all aspects. Lahore is the worst city in
terms of noise pollution since it is unchecked and is vastly
unplanned.
Other than individual based consequences, it also has adverse
effects on the infrastructure and environment. Animals migrate
or extinct from the areas that has increased level of noise
pollution, therefore, the natural habitat of Lahore is
increasingly disturbed.
In Lahore, there are stronger waves of noise pollution,
therefore, stronger vibrations. These vibrations can interfere
with the strength of buildings by making their structure weaker.
Thus, the infrastructure of the city is usually short lived.
In Traffic, noise pollution is caused by the cars, busses, honks,
and other loud interactions which is much worse during a traffic
jam. Any individual within that scene will be drained mentally
and physically from the overwhelmingness of the collective
noise. Moreover, the worst cases are put forward by
unmaintained vehicles that contributes to increased noise
disturbance.
Night activities and shifts also plays a part in increased noise
pollution at night as there are still activities during the
presumed “silent hours” which plays a role in disturbance of
sleep pattern for both humans and animals. This disturbance of
sleep pattern causes health problems such as increased heart
rate, blood pressure, and body movements during sleep.
Higher levels of noise pollution can be observed during a social
event, festivals and celebrations. During weddings or any
celebratory events, halls or tents or open-air functions are
accommodated for the celebrations but there is no system of
making the area soundproof thus music, fireworks, loud
conversations or even gunshots, which can be heard at any
hour of the day and even late into the night.
Solution:
In Lahore the best way to tackle noise pollution is through
awareness, ethics study and control on the city’s population.
Regulating a survey can increase the chances of awareness and
increase the significance of the topic in the city.