Cutting noise
The editorial “Cutting noise” (Jan. 27) is a refreshing and timely reminder of the grave crisis facing the nation on account of noise pollution. Noise from vehicular traffic, loudspeakers, television, household equipment and kitchen appliances disrupts human activity and results in fatigue and stress. Deafness, blood pressure and mental illnesses are on the increase. Animals and vegetation are also susceptible to the harmful effects of noise.
K.S. Thampi,
Chennai
The number of cars and motorcycles on the roads has increased to alarming levels. Economic progress has raised the living standard of a section, and all of us are paying for it in terms of a decline in the quality of life. The utter disregard of our policymakers and opinion makers to noise pollution is surprising and worrisome. It is the flooding of the market with private vehicles by the government through its economic-growth-at-any-cost agenda that is primarily responsible for the high level of pollution.
K. Vijayakumar,
Bangalore
The effect of noise pollution is visible in our daily lives. Fire crackers, aircraft, vehicles, construction equipment, and jarring music — all these contribute to noise pollution. Although we seem to adjust to the noise by ignoring it, the body responds with tension. Anyone who wishes to live in peace, comfort and quiet within his house has a right to do so.
The law has treated noise pollution as a nuisance rather than a serious environmental problem. The legal definition of noise emission does not include rail and aircraft noise. Prevention and law-enforcement do not exist at all in some towns and cities. Loud-speakers have become indispensable instruments of effective public speech. Attempts to restrict such liberties must be justified.
K. Suresh Babu,
Tiruchi
The emphasis on creating greater awareness on the effects of noise is apt and timely. Two factors need special elaboration: First, the recognition that exposure to high, intense noise leads to hearing impairment, which is irreversible. Second, the effects of noise on physiological and mental processes manifest without our consciousness. You may forget noise, your body never will.
S. Raja,
Bangalore
Noise pollution is on the increase despite several campaigns by the government to check the rising levels. Buses, tractors, motorcycles, etc., produce a lot of noise. Adding to the woes is the constant honking by four-wheeler drivers. Senior citizens and patients are the worst sufferers.
Srinath Mahesh,
Noida
The high decibel levels in public meetings and music during marriage receptions are indeed disturbing. The observation that prolonged exposure to noise leads to hypertension is worth noting. Loud communications beat the very purpose of communication. They amount to an emotional attack on the listener.
S.V. Venugopalan,
Chennai
Friday, Jan 29, 2010
Cutting noise
The Hindu deserves to be congratulated on creating awareness on the socially important issue of noise pollution (editorial, Jan. 27). Noise pollution has been increasing over the years, thanks to the uncontrolled and unchecked use of gadgets that magnify the sound waves. While the noise from television sets is controllable, the noise generated through speakers during elections and religious festivals causes immense problems to the aged and patients with acute hypertension. The authorities are not effective in monitoring noise pollution, especially near hospitals and schools. Political activists and organisers of temple festivals need to be educated on the health hazards of high decibel noise. Unless those who violate the law are punished, helpless citizens will have to bear with the din.
V. Rajagopal,
Tirupati
The editorial highlights an issue that is often sidelined. As a mother of a four-month-old, I became fully aware of the impact of noise when I travelled on a two-wheeler with my child. Some drivers sound the horn just to advertise their presence on the road. For many, continuous honking is an alternative to alert and cautious driving.
Along with the enforcement of noise control, it is also necessary for the public to learn to use the horn sparingly and efficiently, rather than indiscriminately. Developing cities would do well to run comfortable and convenient public transport vehicles that will encourage people to use mass transport.
Ilavenil K. Joseph,
Tiruchi
While everyone is raising a hue and cry over global warming, environment pollution, air pollution and so on, no one seems to be paying attention to the irreparable damage inflicted on human beings, animals and the vegetation by noise pollution. The effect of noise is alarming.
Apart from the stress it causes, excessive and continuous noise can lead to deafness, high blood pressure and lack of concentration. For a safer and healthier population, we need to reduce, if not eliminate, unnecessary noise in our environment.
M.V. Nahusharaj,
Bangalore
Noise levels are increasing by the day with the rise in the number of automobiles, construction and other activities making the lives of people extremely difficult. Often, complaints are not addressed and people silently endure the assault on their senses. No doubt, there are laws dealing with noise pollution. But they are difficult to implement for a variety of reasons.
The government should enact laws stipulating the decibel level each device or equipment can produce and this should be followed at the manufacturer’s level.
H.N. Ramakrishna,
Bangalore
Education seems to have made no difference to our attitudes and we continue to perpetrate and abet noise pollution.
Varsha S. Shenoy,
Mangalore
Licences should be renewed only after the noise levels of vehicles are tested. The squad should also be empowered to mute screaming loudspeakers on roadside places of worship. Religion cannot, and should not, come in the way of checking noise pollution.
D.V. Raghavan,
Bangalore
