Decibels go any Higher, YOU MAY GO DEAF

If the decibels go any higher, YOU MAY GO DEAF
Studies Show That Noise Levels In Adyar, Kilpauk, Anna Nagar Are Double The Limit At 10 PM
Pushpa Narayan & B Aravind Kumar | TNN

Chennai: Noise pollution levels in several residential areas in the city, especially in Adyar, Kilpauk and Anna Nagar, has exceeded prescribed standards for even industrial zones and is double the prescribed limit at 10 pm, according to a study. Almost simultaneously, noiseinduced hearing loss has become a growing problem in the city, affecting nearly 80% of people above 50 years, according to doctors.
Even the city’s silent zones – 100 metres around schools, hospitals and courts – have high decibel (dB) levels thanks to increasing vehicular population and construction work.
It was a recent study by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) near a hospital zone in Anna Nagar which recorded sound levels of 82.56 dB(A) at 10 am and 81.86 dB(A) at 10 pm against the permissible levels of 50 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night. Another study by the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) on noise levels in silent zones at Adyar and Kilpauk found that the noise level was 83.1 dB(A) and 86 dB(A) respectively.
“It is observed that there is an increase of 6 dB(A) when compared with data collected in 1993 and 16 dB(A) when compared to data collected in 1985,” says Prof A Ramachandraiah of IIT-M, who was part of the study on noise.
“Reduction in the order of 3 - 5 dB(A) is possible through measures such as reducing speed and reduction of traffic volume,” he says. The Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University also discovered a similar trend. Noise levels were objectionably high at many of the locations and in the range of 92-95 dB (A) whereas noise levels at the same locations earlier were in the range of 71 – 84 dB(A).
“It is impractical to think of 40 dB(A) in a metropolis but we can contain noise levels between 60 to 65 dB(A),” says Prof Ramachandraiah. “There is an urgent need for developing quieter products, from air conditioners to aeroplanes,” he says.
Nearly ten years ago, a study by the Madras ENT Research Foundation showed that nearly 80% of people above 50 years had noise-induced hearing loss. “They were either partially or fully impaired. And the loss was exponential with the increase in age. For instance, at 70 they had more than 50% hearing loss,” says Dr Mohan Kameshwaran, MD, Madras ENT Research Foundation. “Today, it would be much higher. In fact, we are beginning to see an increase in the number of younger patients who have this trouble,” he adds.
HEALTH HAZARDS 1 Noise induced hearing impairment: An irreversible condition that leaves one with inability to understand speech 2 Interference with speech communication: Some develop inability to comprehend speech. Many face problems concentrating, lack confidence and are constantly fatigued. 3 Sleep problems: Sleep disturbances, sleeplessness are increasing with the rise in environmental noise 4 Cardiovascular problems: The stress induced by noise can increase blood pressure and result in cardiac arrests and stroke SOLUTIONS 1 Ban honking on some arterial roads. In more than 90% of the cases, horns are misused. They are not required when there is free flow of traffic and lane discipline is followed 2 Plant more trees. Trees tend to absorb noise 3 Implement silent zones more stringently 4 Declare at least one day as noise free day. This can help in not just creating awareness about noise pollution but about the joy of silence as well

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Times of India - Chennai Edition on 11.08.2008