The noise levels in the city constantly remain above the prescribed standards

We are DEAF to our neighbourhood NOISE! What are we going to do about it?

Courtesy : THE HINDU dt.28/7/2011

Noise levels in city above standards

Deepa H Ramakrishnan

The noise levels in the city constantly remain above the prescribed standards, according to data recorded under the National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network of the Central Pollution Control Board.

The noise levels have been monitored round the clock at Triplicane, Government Eye Hospital in Egmore, Guindy, Perambur, T.Nagar since March. Near the Government Eye hospital, which has been classified as a residential area, on Tuesday the maximum recorded sound during 24 hours was 67 decibels (A) and on Monday it was 67.2 dB(A).

A, in dB(A), denotes the frequency weighting in the measurement of noise and corresponds to frequency response characteristics of the human ear. The standard for residential area is 55 dB(A) during the day time and 45 dB(A) at night.

At Guindy, identified as a commercial area, the daily maximum noise levels are constantly above 77 dB(A). Triplicane too has been classified as a commercial area and the figures hover around 69 – 70 dB(A). On certain days like Sunday, it touched 76.7 dB(A). The noise monitoring station in Perambur, an industrial area, recorded 70.6 dB(A) on Tuesday and 69.8dB(A) on Monday.

M.L.Munjal, honorary professor, IIS, Bangalore, also the Chairman of the National Committee for Noise Pollution Control, said efforts must be taken to inculcate road discipline among motorists and pedestrians.