Noise  Pollution- A Silent Killer

Noise pollution did not create much public concern due to ignorance about the treacherous effect of noise on both workers in industry in particular and the public in  the community in general.  It is, therefore, imperative to assess the environment in which the noise is being heard  by  using  suitable bases of judgement and awareness to determine whether or not a definite  nuisance exists. Noise is an important environmental pollutant like noxious gases that befoul  our air, water and soil. It destroys bridges and produces cracks in buildings. The noise can cause skin and  mental diseases. It has been revealed that noise is a technology generated problem and that the overall noise doubles every ten years keeping pace with our social  and industrial progress. This geometric progression-wise growth of noise could be mind-boggling in view of the ever increasing pace of technological growth. According to  Robert Koch  a Nobel Prize Winner German bacteriologist.

“A day will  come man will have to fight merciless noise as the worst enemy  of health”.

According to him “ Noise Like Smog is a Slow Agent of Death.” 

Source of Noise Pollution

Noise is a major factor of environmental pollution; on the one hand, industrialization, sc ientific and technological  developments have contributed a great deal to the progress of society, on the other, these are main causes of  environmental pollution, including noise pollution. As the day rises, the noise level in the different parts of the city increase in and around work places and homes. The peak  noise levels  are reached in the twilight hours as traffic reaches a peak. In India, the problem caused by noise pollution is more aggravated  in view of the fact that there is hardly any celebration,  festival, “A day will  come man will have to fight merciless noise as the worst enemy  of health”marriage  or religious function, where there is no use of loud speakers at a very high pitch continuously for a long time. In offices also there is noise pollution due to clicking of  typewriters, bells, ringing telephones, clattering office machines and conversations. On the road, noise  pollution exists due to growing automobiles, screeching  tyres, squealing brakes, screaming sirens, blaring televisons and radios, and blasting horns. Another major factor contributing  to the noise pollution in India is that in many of the cities, the industrial and commercial units are either not very  far from the residential areas, or they are sometimes set up in the residential areas.