Why Decibel Levels Need to be Brought Down Everywhere

Why Decibel Levels Need to be Brought Down Everywhere

Essentially Noise Pollution is a medical problem as it adversely affects physical and psychological health. Health must prevail over tradition, Culture and Religion, hence we must adjust our priorities in this 21st Century. Aging causes Deafness (Noise Induced Hearing Loss) is a misconception. Dr. Samuel Rosen of New York worked with Mabaan Tribes of Sudan in 1960/61 and found that the Hearing power of 80 years old Tribal was as good as 20 years old youth in Khartoum, as tribes are hardly exposed to Loud Sound except occasional beating of drums. So also was the finding of Dr. Mohan Kameswaran of Madras who worked with Toda tribes in Nilgiris and compared the hearing power of 80 years old tribal with 20 years old youth in Madras.

Conclusion: it is not the age but the amount of Loud Sound one hears in day to day life which has cumulative effect causing deafness. Dolby Sound: I visited Regal Cinema in Bombay many years back to watch the film-“ Schindler’s List “. Starting scene involves German soldiers marching in the streets of Town. Sound was so loud, it caused pain in my ears, I was to complain to the Manager but after about 10 minutes, sound became bearable and I could watch the film thinking that they have reduced the sound. In reality, loud sound causes temporary dampening of hair cells in the internal ear making one partially deaf. If this recurs, one does develop permanent deafness. Louder the sound, the more enjoyable it is!! This western psychology has creeped into India- the Dolby sound making more and more people deaf!

In Kolhapur, walls of Dolby speakers’ sound led to the fall of building wall crushing one person to death! Couple of months back, 75 years old grandfather with High Blood Pressure complained against wedding procession with Dolby sound, complaint was ignored. Old man died of heart attack in his own grandson’s wedding. Concept of Noise Pollution is recent. Since 1940s/1950s with the increase in Air traffic, people living around Airports started complaining of aircraft noise disturbing their day to day life! Lot of research took place in U S A, Europe, Japan, Russia etc about ill effects of noise adversely affecting physical and mental health. Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister of India attended first Environmental Conference in Stockholm in 1972 and signed the declaration that India would also protect the Environment. United Nation had appointed committees to study various Pollutions. Experts from 25 countries studied the Noise Pollution and recommended decibel levels comfortable for people.

They formulated Decibel (db) Table called as “ WHO Table-1980″ : 75 db Industrial Workers 8 hours shift ; 65 db Commercial Activities Business Districts; 55 db Residential – Day 6 am to 10 pm; 45 db Residential – Night 10 pm to 6 am; 50 db Silence Zone – Day 6 am to 10 pm; 40 db Silence Zone – Night 10 pm to 6 am; There is a 24 hours ban on Loudspeakers, crackers and horns in Silence Zone.

WHO 1980 table brought the concept of Noise Pollution in India. Many people don’t agree with the concept of Noise Pollution, noise being part of daily life. Children, youth enjoy making Noise while adults after the age of 40 years start realizing that noise is disturbing them! This is the dilemma with noise which is not the case with Air and Water pollution, the ill effects of them very visible and disturbing to everyone. Added to this, some Netas and people with kinky ideas of Religion want noise to prove their superiority. Noisier the person or religion the more powerful it is leading to competition amongst them. Our Legislation Houses are good example of it. Shouting, Sloganeering and disturbing the work of the House is a frequent sight!

WHO decibel table gave us the weapon and we started Anti noise campaign in 1984. We filed three Writ Petitions in Bombay High Court in 1985,1995 and 2003 on noise pollution. 1985 petition led to declaration of Noise as a Pollutant in E P Act 1986. Penalties for violation are very heavy indeed- Fine up to Rs.100,000/-,Imprisonment up to 5 years or both.1995 petition led to formulation of elaborate Noise Rules on 24th Feb 2000 called as Noise Rules 2000. 2003 petition led to demarcation and implementation of Noise Rules in Silence Zones.

Two Supreme Court Judgement on Noise Pollution.

On 30th Aug 2000, “Church of God VS KKR Majestic colony” matter was decided by div bench. Hon Justices M B Shah and SR Phukan passed an order that Noise Rules 2000 must be implemented and prevented Church from playing Loudspeaker and band during their prayers. Bench also said that even though the Rules are unambiguous, there is lack of awareness among the citizens as well as the implementation Authorities about the Rules or its duty to implement the same.

On 18th July 2005, CJI Lahoti and Bhan passed an order while disposing off several writ petitions on Noise Pollution. Noise Rules 2000 must be implemented and directed “ The State shall make provision for seizure and confiscation of Loudspeaker, Amplifier and such other equipment as are found to be creating noise beyond the permissible limits.” Implementation Authorities don’t seem to have taken above directions seriously!

Noise Pollution reduces Efficiency and Productivity! In general above statement is true. Many years back I had gone to small air conditioned Bank. A client started shouting at the top of his voice as he had argument with the bank staff. There was no security staff. The whole working of the Bank came to a stand still for about 10 minutes as everybody was disturbed!

Our public places like markets, bus and railway platforms etc would improve their working if we could bring down the decibel level there somewhat. Firecrackers’ Noise and Air Pollution This has gone beyond the tolerance level of common man. Noise produces High BP and its allied illnesses like Heart attacks and paralytic strokes. Air Pollution affects patients with chronic Bronchitis, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease very badly pushing some of them into respiratory failure needing hospitalization and causing occasional death! Accidental Fires due to firecrackers is of common occurrence leading to loss of eye, limb or life. In Kerala, stock of fire crackers in temple compound caught fire accidentally killing more than 700 people! Supreme Court is considering total ban on manufacturing of firecrackers in view of tremendous loss of life and property. Health and safety of the people must take priority over loss of jobs in Firecracker industry because of total ban.

Religious places’ Noise

Despite Supreme Court Directions, religious places of all religions make considerable noise disturbing the neighbouring locality. Supreme Court is already seized of the matter and soon there is possibility of reaching consensus by all religious authorities in this matter. Removal of Loudspeakers atop or outside religious places would go a long way in getting relief to people and also in reducing tension amongst various religions. Recent judgement in privacy bill delivered by bench of 9 Supreme Court judges would help this cause.

Educational Institutes’ Noise

They come in Silence Zone and could use Loudspeakers for their own functions in a closed hall without emitting sound outside disturbing the neighbours. They should not lease their premises to outsiders/ weddings/ functions who use Loudspeakers causing disturbance to neighbours. For sports purposes, use of megaphone would be preferable over loudspeaker. Wedding Halls They should not be allowed use of loudspeakers, amplifiers,/ bands/vajantri etc. Firecrackers and noisy processions using Loudspeakers,/DJ etc should also be banned.

Electioneering

Nuisance is created by use of loudspeakers on moving vehicles, use of gulal and crackers. The winning candidate bursts firecrackers violating Air, Noise Rules, starting his career on wrong foot. Election Commission should take serious view and bring the Rule of declaring election as illegal.

Vehicular Noise With increase in Air, Rail and Road traffic, Rules and Regulations be revised

Airports should be away from Residential area. No development of residential areas be allowed in the vicinity of airports. Unfortunately this basic requirement is greatly ignored while planning airports or residential colonies. Rail traffic noise could be reduced by better maintenance of rakes and judicious use of hooting of horns without sacrificing peoples’ safety. Heavy vehicles should be well maintained. No overloading be allowed. At major signals timers should be used to avoid Unnecessary honking. Processions which obstruct smooth flow of traffic be minimized as they lead to noise and air pollution. Two, three, four wheeler which are noisy need to be dealt with very strictly. Habitual honkers’ licenses should be cancelled. Police are the worst victims of noise on road, being exposed to more than 80 db for several hours every day.
Several health surveys done on police personnel including one in Pune show that 80 % police are deaf and several have High Blood Pressure, some recording 200/120. Such person could have heart attack or paralytic stroke any moment! In fact 4 police died of heart attack this year in Mumbai Ganesh visarjan procession. Concerned Authorities need to take serious view of the situation. IMA-Doctors, Activist’s Role in reducing Noise Fortunately All India IMA [ 2,95,000 + doctor members ] have started project of NISS- National Initiative for Safe Sound since last 4 years. All states of India are taking active part in this Program. “ No Honking “ drive is taking place in all states with the participation of government officers, police, volunteers etc. College and School students are also roped in. Safety on Roads movements are also included. Project would be a success if one stresses the fact that “Health would prevail over the tradition, culture and Religion.”

About Author: Dr.Y.T.Oke, M.B:B.S.[Bom], DC H [London], M.R.C.P. [Glasgow, U. K.] Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians, Glasgow, U. K. Founder Secretary, Anti Noise Committee, Mumbai [1984]