Lack of awareness behind noise pollution

6 May 2012, 18:00 PM

Mobarak Ali, RK Mission Road, Gopibagh, Dhaka

Photo: STAR

Noise pollution has already become a concern for the city dwellers in Dhaka. Daytime commuters especially patients and children suffer a lot. But the persons who are responsible for making these noises defy the sufferings of others and also the rules regarding this. Buses, trucks, mikes and construction sites (mainly brick crushing machines) are the major sources of unbearable noises. But the law enforcers turn a deaf ear to this public nuisance. Lack of awareness about the harmful effects of high noises among drivers, mike-users, construction workers and even some law enforcers is one of the main causes of noise pollution. Most of them even do not know that they themselves are the direct victims of their own acts. Environmentalists say that noise levels at different points in the capital are more than double the permissible level. A daytime test taken in some areas revealed that in Shahbag the noise level is 120 to 126 decibels while in Jatrabari it is 125 to 130 decibels. But the World Health Organization suggests that healthy noise levels should not surpass 55 decibels during day. Doctors say that besides creating multiple injuries in patients and children, noise pollution may also cause hearing problems, mental problems and cardiac problems in healthy people.