Noise Problems in Pakistan

Noise has become a very important "stress factor" in the environment of man. The term "noise pollution" has been recently used to signify the hazard of sounds which are consequence of modern day development, leading to health hazards of different types.

Continuous exposure to high decibel noise can result in some adverse effects on your health. One of these hazards is acoustic trauma to the ears caused when they are subjected to the sound of an intensity of 85 dB or more without respite.

The health hazards of noise pollution can be categorized into physiological and psychological hazards. While the former includes hearing loss, hypertension, disturbance in sleep patterns etc., the later includes problems such as annoyance, aggression and stress. 

According to a medical health guidelines, although high levels of noise for a short time can lead to noise induced hearing loss early  it usually takes 10 years of exposure for significant hearing loss to occur. This is preventable but irreversible.

Hearing impairment is an increase in the threshold of hearing. Most commonly, noise-induced hearing loss involves injury to inner ear structures, particularly stereo cilia, the hair cells, and therefore known as a sensory neural hearing loss. Stereo cilia can be temporarily damaged by noise above 90db and permanent damage occurs with longer exposure. Excessive noise exposure during foetal life may result in high-frequency hearing loss in newborns. It can also cause tinnitus i.e. a ringing, roaring, buzzing, or clicking in the ears.

Most recently discovered is the fact that  in human beings the major negative impact is insomnia (Sleep disturbance) which is the root cause of many diseases, although more research is in progress. Healthy sleep is a prerequisite for good physiological and mental functioning. Insomnia  may cause increased blood pressure, changes in heart rate and increased fatigue.Although most developed nations have government agencies responsible for the protection of the environment, no nation has a single body that regulates noise pollution. Transportation noise is usually regulated by the relevant transportation ministry, health-related work noise is often regulated by health ministries and workers' unions, and entertainment noise such as loud music is a criminal offence in many areas.

Little is currently being done to reduce noise pollution in developing countries.

 

Road Traffic Noise is the most widespread source of noise nuisance in the urban areas of Pakistan. The situation is becoming alarming with increase in traffic density on city roads, particularly in Karachi.

 

According to Environmental Protection Agency, NWFP Government,a campaign was started against noise pollution and the use of pressure horns by public and private vehicles in Peshawar. During the whole campaign (1999-2002)a total of 3804 pressure horns were removed from 6068 vehicles in 178 working days. Moreover, this Agency  checked 6630 Rickshaw for noise pollution during Jun-11997-2005, of which 3979 did not qualify the NEQS (85 db) limit.

According to a medical research of Pakistan (2008) almost 75% of public drivers in Lahore are affected by noise pollution, and more in Lahore