Noise pollution has turned acute in the capital Dhaka and three other metropolitan cities as it is going far beyond the permissible level, putting the health of professionals working on the roads at high risk.
Some 25.3 per cent of professionals working on the roads of five city corporations – Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Rajshahi, Cumilla, and Sylhet – are suffering from hearing impairment, says a new study of Bangladesh University of Health Science. The research, conducted on 647 people working on the roads and highways of the five city corporations, found that the noise levels range between 84 dB to 99 dB in all of them, while the roadside noise level is much higher than the allowable limit. According to the World Health Organisation, generally 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 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.
The government agencies should
make concerted efforts to \curb noise
pollution in the capital Dhaka and
other metropolitan cities
Earlier experts and authorities came up with several suggestions like devising measures to properly enforce the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, determining the jurisdiction of government agencies on sound pollution control, and making hearing aid devices and sign language training available across the country. But the lack of coordinated action by the government agencies concerned is deteriorating the situation.
The lack of research on the negative impact of sound pollution, the 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 the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules for creating a safe hearing environment for the future generations.
The government and non-government organisations will also have to conduct campaigns at different levels, beginning from the family to the state level, to raise awareness about sound pollution and its impact. The government agencies should make concerted efforts to curb noise pollution in the capital Dhaka and other metropolitan cities immediately.
