Definition Of Noise Pollution

The definition of noise pollution is can be elaborate as a type of energy pollution in which distracting, irritating, or damaging sounds are freely audible. Noise pollution contaminants are not physical particles, but rather waves that interfere with naturally-occurring waves of a similar type in the same environment. Sounds are considered noise pollution if they adversely affect wildlife, human activity, or are capable of damaging physical structures on a regular, repeating basis. In the broadest sense of the term, a sound may be considered noise pollution if it disturbs any natural process or causes human harm, even if the sound does not occur on a regular basis.

1.12 Measurement for sound

Sound is transmitted in series through the air with the wave compressed. When it comes to sound, there are three terms that can connected with it, the strength, pitch or frequency. Strength calculated in units of decibels (dB). Decibel is a ratio expressed on a logarithmic scale. This logarithmic scale takes care of wide range of sound power, intensity and pressure. The decibel (dB) scale begins from zero, which represents the faintest sound, which is audible to a normal ear. Decibel (dB) is used in environmental noise pollution as a measure of sound power level, sound intensity level and sound pressure level. A decibel is a physical unit based on the weakest sound that can be detected by the human ear. It is named after Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. Our human ear sensitivity to noise in the range of 20 to 20,000.

1.13 Sources of noise pollution

People living in urban city complained about the noise from automobile traffic, overhead airplanes and helicopters, leaf blowers, pneumatic drills, and neighbors who play their televisions and stereos much too loudly. Large urban areas are being inundated by unwanted sounds. These sounds or noises are disturbing, disrupting ongoing activities and peaceful interludes. One cannot concentrate on a work project if there is constant drilling at a nearby construction site. It is virtually impossible to enjoy a television program when overhead jets frequently drown out its sound. It is difficult to fall asleep if your upstairs neighbor’s stereo system is blasting away.

There are many sources of noise pollution that created in urban areas. The sources in general may be stationary or mobile. The example of stationary sources is such as when use of loudspeakers on various occasions like festivals, elections, worships in temples, mosques and during advertisements, mining operations, use of bulldozers, drillers and dynamites to break rocks, household gadgets like vacuum cleaner, TV, radio, stereo, grinder, mixer. In the other hand, mobile sources can be classified in Transportation / Traffic noise (Road Traffic or Highway Noise), Industrial noise, Noise from construction work and also Neighborhood noise. 

Noise has direct physiological effects to human such as hearing damage which can be including hearing loss and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, as well as cardiovascular and hormonal disturbances. Indirect effects include sleep loss, interference with concentration and learning, mood changes and aggression, and social isolation.

Noise pollution is also becoming huge problem for many animals. Their hearing for detecting predators, finding mates, establishing territory, and recognizing warning alerts. Unnaturally high levels of noise can damage their hearing and can also mask more subtle sounds that they need to hear in order to survive and reproduce. They may also react with a fight-or-flight response to artificial sounds such as aircraft noise, thereby using up valuable energy reserves to flee from a non-existent predator. If noise in urban area becomes too intrusive, animals may shift to a new territory or alter their migration patterns, which can create new complications for their mating and survival.

Noise Pollution effects the environment. As we all known that plants are similar to human being. They are also as sensitive as man. There should be cool and peaceful environment for their better growth. Noise pollution causes poor quality of crops in a pleasant atmosphere.

Aim

To awareness people that lived in urban areas when surrounding with noise pollution. I would like to cultivate and make a mass awareness to urban population since the level of awareness on the noise environmental issues is very low in urban areas. This will make a step of prevention to aware the dangerous of noise pollution surrounding them and how they can avoid or decrease the level of noise and know the effects and causes related to noise pollution.

1.3 Plan of the Research

The plan is to investigate the level of awareness of the society regarding the environmental issues particularly on noise pollution issue. What are the best actions that need to be taken to make the society/community is aware. One of the plans is creating the survey questions. It will be asked questions to test their personality and attitude towards the environment especially on noise pollution. By performing these tasks, we can identify the best strategy to get people’s attention on this serious matter. This is a few questions that will be discussed.

1.4 Research Question

What are the effects of noise on human health

How does noise affect babies and children?

What are the most common sources of noise pollution?

What problems does noise pollution cause for people?

What problems does noise pollution cause for animals?

What are the effects of noise pollution on the environment?

What can I do personally to reduce my own noise pollution?

How can we reduce the noise pollution?

What are the precautions we can take to avoid noise pollution?

Do you think public is aware of the noise pollution issue?

How can we educate people to make them emotionally/spiritually aware in better ways such as storytelling, video art etc?

Does urbanization affects/increase the level of noise?

Do you think we can totally get rid of noise pollution in urban cities?

Are you aware that there are rules and regulations regarding noise?

Research for (digital record) location

The other plan is to record some digital audio (sound) and visual (video) to show the main causes of the noise pollution. The planning location is such as

Main town

Highway road

LRT / Commuter rail

Factories

Neighborhood around the town

Entertainment place (club, pub)

Construction in the town

1.5 Justification for the Research

Noise is all around us, but that doesn’t mean we should just placidly accept unhealthy and unsafe levels of noise. Exposure to loud or constant noises can contribute to or cause hearing loss or a reduction in your ability to hear some frequencies of sound. Noise can prevent us from sleeping, which in turn affects our health and mood. Noise can distract us from our work, leading to errors and their consequences. And noise can produce high stress levels by triggering the body’s flight-or-fight response, which in turn leads to high blood pressure. In short, noise is not just a nuisance; it is a real health issue. By doing this research, I may contribute and helping people living in the urban areas to give some awareness regarding noise pollution and at the same time will save our habitat and environment in urban areas. Throughout reading my research paper and artwork, it will create awareness and people will be able control the sound and decrease the level of the noise pollution in urban areas. Furthermore people in the cities also can avoid from getting some health effects regarding noise pollution.

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1.6 Methodology

I will gather data from internet sources, magazines, journals and etc

Documentary – I will try to get documentaries and speeches by environmentalists.

Interview – I will try to find people from Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) to answer some questions via email.

Survey – I have prepared questions as my survey.

Visual- I will get some information about noise pollution via audio video in spot location in urban city.

1.7 Scope

Sample from MMU students aged from 18-30 years old.

Public aged from 18-30 years old.

1.8 Outline of the Thesis

Chapter 1 – I will provide the introduction details of my research topic.

Chapter 2 – I will put up the works of the previous researchers have done theoretically and practically.

Chapter 3 – I will provide the details such as materials to collect data and the details of the investigation.

Chapter 4 – I will discuss the result that I gathered from chapter 3 and will provide full analysis of interpreting data in the form of tables, charts and figures.

Chapter 5 – I will answer all the questions stated in the chapter 1. I will then interpret the research findings and check if they the data agree with the aims and proposal of my research and will provide recommendation if there’s need.

1.9 Definitions

Urban – An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns.

Pollution- Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant into the environment. It is created mostly by human actions, but can also be a result of natural disasters. Pollution has a detrimental effect on any living organism in an environment, making it virtually impossible to sustain life.

Noise- Noise is unwanted electrical or electromagnetic energy that degrades the quality of signals and data.  Noise occurs in digital and analog systems, and can affect files and communications of all types, including text, programs, images, audio, and telemetry.