Noise Pollution

In simple terms, noise is unwanted sound. Sound is a form of energy which is

emitted by a vibrating body and on reaching the ear causes the sensation of hearing
through nerves. Sounds produced by all vibrating bodies are not audible. The
frequency limits of audibility are from 20 HZ to 20,000 HZ.
A noise problem generally consists of three inter-related elements- the source, the
receiver and the transmission path. This transmission path is usually the atmosphere
through which the sound is propagated, but can include the structural materials of
any building containing the receiver
The discrimination and differentiation between sound and noise also depends upon
the habit and interest of the person/species receiving it, the ambient conditions and
impact of the sound generated during that particular duration of time. There could be
instances that, excellently rendered musical concert for example, may be felt as
noise and exceptional music as well during the course of the concert! Sounds of
frequencies less than 20 HZ are called infrasonics and greater than 20,0000 HZ are
called ultrasonics.
The intensity of sound is measured in sound pressure levels (SPL) and common unit
of measurement is decibel, dB. The community (ambient) noise levels are measured
in the A - weighted SPL, abbreviated dB(A). This scale resembles the audible
response of human ear. Sounds of frequencies from 800 to 3000 HZ are covered by
the A - weighted scale. If the sound pressure level, L1 in dB is measured at r1
meters, then the sound pressure level, L2 in dB at r2 meters is given by,
L2 = L1 - 20 log10 (r2/r1) ...... (1)
If the sound levels are measured in terms of pressure, then, sound pressure level, LP
is
given by,
LP = 20 Log10 (P/Po) dB(A) ...... (2)
The Lp is measured against a standard reference pressure, Po = 2 x 10-5 N/m2
which is equivalent to zero decibels. The sound pressure is the pressure exerted at a
point due to a sound producing source.
Noise measurement is an important diagnostic tool in noise control technology. The
objective of noise measurement is to make accurate measurements which give us a
purposeful act of comparing noises under different conditions for assessment of
adverse impacts of noise and adopting suitable control techniques for noise
reduction.
The various equipment used for noise level measurement are summarized below:
Equipment used in the measurement of noise levels
1. Sound level meter Type-0 : Laboratory reference standard
Type-1: Lab use and field use in specified controlled environment
Type-2: General field use (Commonly used)
Type-3: Noise survey
2. Impulse meters for measurement of impulse noise levels e.g. hammer blows,
punch press strokes etc.
3. Frequency analyzers for detailed design and engineering purpose using a set of
filters.
4. Graphic recorders Attached to sound level meter. Plots the SPL as a function of
time on a moving paper chart.
5. Noise dosimeters Used to find out the noise levels in a working environment.
Attached to the worker
6. Calibrators for checking the accuracy of sound level meters.
The principle and the components of noise measuring instruments is summarised
below.
A sound level meter consists basically of a microphone and an electronic circuit
including an attenuator, amplifier, weighting networks or filters and a display unit.
The microphone converts the sound signal to an equivalent electrical signal. The
signal is passed through a weighting network which provides a conversion and gives
the sound pressure level in dB. The time constants used for the sound level meter
standards are
S (Slow) = 1 second
F (Fast) = 125 milli seconds
Relatively steady sounds are easily measured using the "fast" response and unsteady
sounds using "slow" response. When measuring long-term noise exposure, the noise
level is not always steady and may vary considerably, in an irregular way over the
measurement period. This uncertainty can be solved by measuring the continuous
equivalent level, which is defined as, the constant sound pressure level which would
have produced the same total energy as the actual level over the given time. It is
denoted as Leq. The display of Leq facility is also available in certain models of
sound level meters. This is the desired parameter for assessment of ambient noise
levels.
The effects of noise are determined mainly by the duration and level of the noise, but
they are also influenced by the frequency. Long-lasting, high-level sounds are the
most damaging to hearing and generally the most annoying. High-frequency sounds
tend to be more hazardous to hearing and more annoying than low-frequency
sounds. The way sounds are distributed in time is also important, in that intermittent
sounds appear to be somewhat less damaging to hearing than continuous sounds
because of the ear's ability to regenerate during the intervening quiet periods.
However, intermittent and impulsive sounds tend to be more annoying because of
their unpredictability.
Govt. of India Notification on Noise Pollution

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 14 February, 2000

S.O. 123(E).- Whereas the increasing ambient noise levels in public places from various
sources, inter-alia, industrial activity, construction activity, generator sets, loud speakers,
public address systems, music systems, vehicular horns and other mechanical devices
have deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well being of the people,
it is considered necessary to regulate and control noise producing and generating sources
with the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise;

Whereas a draft of Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules, 1999 was published
under the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and
Forests vide number S.O. 528 (E) dated the 2e June, 1999 inviting objections and
suggestions from all the persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of the
period of sixty days from the date on which the copies of the Gazette containing the said
notification are made available to the public-,

And whereas copies of the said Gazette were made available to the public on the I" day of
July, 1999.

And whereas the objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the
said draft rules have been duly considered by the Central Government-,

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (ii) of sub-section (2) of
section 3, sub-section (1) and clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 6 and section 25 of
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with rule 5 of the Environment
(Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules for
the regulation and control of noise producing and generating sources, namely:

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

1 Short-title and commencement.

(1) These rules may be called the-Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,
2000.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official
Gazette.

2. Definitions.- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) "Act" means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986);
 (b) "area/zone" means all areas which fall in either of the four categories given in
the Schedule annexed to these rules;

(c) "authority" means any authority or officer authorised by the Central

Government, or as the case may be, the State Government in accordance with the
laws in force and includes a District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, or any
other officer designated for the maintenance of the ambient air quality standards
in respect of noise under any law for the time being in force;

(d) "person" in relation to any factory or premises means a person or occupier or

his agent, who has control over the affairs of the factory or premises;

(e) "State Government" in relation to a Union territory means the Administrator

thereof appointed under article 239 of the Constitution.

3. Ambient air guality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones.

(1) The ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones
shall be such as specified in the Schedule annexed to these rules.

(2) The State Government may categorize the areas into industrial, commercial,
residential or silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise
standards for different areas.

(3) The State Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including
noise emanating from vehicular movements and ensure that the existing noise
levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under these rules.

(4) All development authorities, local bodies and other concerned authorities
while planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town
and country planning shall take into consideration all aspects of noise pollution as
a parameter of quality of life to avoid noise menace and to achieve the objective
of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.

(5) An area comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational
institutions and courts may be declared as silence area/zone for the purpose of
these rules.

4. Responsibility as to enforcement of noise pollution control measures.

(1) The noise levels in any area/zone shall not exceed the ambient air quality
standards in respect of noise as specified in the Schedule.

(2) The authority shall be responsible for the enforcement of noise pollution
control measures and the due compliance of the ambient air quality standards in
respect of noise.
5. Restrictions on the use of loud speakers/public address s1stem.

(1) A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after
obtaining written permission from the authority.

(2) A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used at night (between
10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) except in closed premises for communication within, e.g.
auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.

6. Consequences of any violation in silence zone/area.

Whoever, in any place covered under the silence zone/area commits any of the following
offence, he shall be liable for penalty under the provisions of the Act:

(i) whoever, plays any music or uses any sound amplifiers,

(ii) whoever, beats a drum or tom-tom or blows a horn either musical or pressure,
or trumpet or beats or sounds any instrument, or

(iii) whoever, exhibits any mimetic, musical or other performances of a nature to

44raq crowds.

7. Complaints to be made to the authority.

(1) A person may, if the noise level exceeds the ambient noise standards by 10
dB(A) or more given in the corresponding columns against any area/zone, make a
complaint to the authority.

(2) The authority shall act on the complaint and take action against the violator in
accordance with the provisions of these rules and any other law in force.

8. Power to vrohibit etc. continuance of music sound or noise.

(1) If the authority is satisfied from the report of an officer incharge of a police
station or other information received by him that it is necessary to do so in order
to prevent annoyance, disturbance, discomfort or injury or risk of annoyance,
disturbance, discomfort or injury to the public or to any person who dwell or
occupy property on the vicinity, he may, by a written order issue such directions
as he may consider necessary to any person for preventing, prohibiting,
controlling or regulating:

(a) the incidence or continuance in or upon any premises of -

(i) any vocal or instrumental music,

 (ii) sounds caused by playing, beating, clashing, blowing or use in
any manner whatsoever of any instrument including loudspeakers,
public address systems, appliance or apparatus or contrivance
which is capable of producing or re-producing sound, or

(b) the carrying on in or upon, any premises of any trade, avocation or

operation or process resulting in or attended with noise.

(2) The authority empowered under sub-rule (1) may, either on its own motion, or
on the application of any person aggrieved by an order made under sub-rule (1),
either rescind, modify or alter any such order:

Provided that before any such application is disposed of, the said authority shall afford to
the applicant an opportunity of appearing before it either in person or by a person
representing him and showing cause against the order and shall, if it rejects any such
application either wholly or in part, record its reasons for such rejection.

SCHEDULE
(see rule 3(l) and 4(l)

Ambient Air Quality Standards in respect of Noise

Area Code Category of Area/Zone Limits in dB(A) Leq *

Day Time NightTime
(A) Industrial area 75 70
(B) Commercial area 65 55
(C) Residential area 55 45
(D) Silence Zone 50 40

Note

1. Day time shall mean from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

2. Night time shall mean from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.

3. Silence zone is defined as an area comprising not less than 100 metres around
hospitals, educational institutions and courts. The silence zones are zones which
are declared as such by the competent authority.

4. Mixed categories of areas may be declared as one of the four above mentioned
categories by the competent authority.
*dB(A) Leq denotes the time weighted average of the level of sound in decibels
on scale A which is relatable to human hearing.

A "decibel" is a unit in which noise is measured.

"A", in dB(A) Leq, denotes the frequency weighting in the measurement of noise
and corresponds to frequency response characteristics of the human ear.

Leq : It is an energy mean of the noise level, over a specified period.

[F. No. Q-14012/l/96-CPA]

VIJAI SHARMA, R. Secy.