Noise pollution has turned acute in capital Dhaka and three other metropolitan cities as it is going far beyond permissible level, putting the health of people working on roads at high risk. Some 25.3% of people working on roads in five city corporations–Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Rajshahi, Cumilla, and Sylhet–are suffering from hearing impairment, says a study carried out Bangladesh University of Health Science.
The research, conducted on 647 people working on roads and highways in the five city corporations, found that noise levels range between 84 dB and 99 dB while roadside noise level is much higher than allowable limit. According to the World Health Organization, 60 dB sound can make a man deaf temporarily and 100 dB sound can cause complete deafness.
Noise pollution, also known as sound pollution, causes various health problems, including hearing loss, headache and heart problems, according to health experts. The people who live in city with constant traffic noise are also at higher risk of hospitalisation for heart attacks.
The highest proportion (41.9%) of rickshaw-pullers suffered from hearing loss, followed by traffic police and sergeants (30.7%), CNG and leguna drivers (23.9%) as they have to work eight to ten hours daily amid constant noise. Another study says that noise pollution has increased alarmingly in different parts of the capital, indicating that highest noise level recorded at Farmgate was 130.2 dB during daytime.
Noise
pollution,
also known as sound
pollution, causes various health problems, including hearing loss, headache and heart problems
Sound pollution is disturbing noise with harmful impact on the activities of human life. The source of ambient sound worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transport systems, motor-vehicle engines and construction works as well.
The situation is getting worse day by day due to lack of coordinated efforts by government agencies concerned with no sign of improvement. Besides, lack of research on negative impact of sound pollution, unavailability of specific data on the menace and lack of awareness about it are also affecting the fight against noise pollution.
The government must enforce Noise Pollution (Control) Rules to ensure noise-free environment for the future generation. Government and non-governmental organisations will also have to conduct campaigns aimed at raising awareness about sound pollution and its impacts.
Noise pollution cannot be controlled effectively in the country without any agency dedicated to do entire necessary tasks, including creating public awareness and controlling noise pollution. The government agencies should make concerted efforts to curb noise pollution in capital Dhaka and other metropolitan cities immediately.
