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As Bangladeshis, we are no strangers to noise. It has become such a typical factor that the absence of it scares us. However, the constant chatter, horns, and construction noise that we have integrated into our daily life is causing harm to us in ways we can't imagine.
To better understand, we first need to know how sound is measured and how it translates for us. Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB). It increases using a logarithmic scale, meaning the intensity of, say, 20 dB will be double 30 dB. Experts say sound above 70 dB for a prolonged period can damage hearing.
According to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, the average noise frequency in Dhaka is 119 dB. So, you do the calculations now. The state of other divisions of the country is also no better.
The Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 has set guidelines for machines and permitted noise levels for different areas. They have set acceptable noise levels for five areas – silent, residential, mixed, commercial, and industrial.
The silent areas' sound limit is 50 dB during the day and 40 dB at night. The limit for residential areas is 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night. In the case of industrial areas, it is 75 dB during the day and 70 dB at night.
For mixed and commercial areas, it is 60 dB and 70 dB for day and 50 dB and 60 dB for night.
Despite these, noises from loudspeakers and construction remain one of the country's most disturbing sources of sound pollution. The sad part is we have learned to live among this noise because there is no other way.
The noise pollution rules don't adhere to religious events, national events, government organisation announcements, and local location campaigns.
The problem is the issue of sound pollution is interrelated to cultural and social aspects of our daily lives, challenging which might threaten the typical ecosystem in which people are adamant about living.
For instance, religious events often continue for days making lots of noise. Complaining against these kinds of events will cause commotion hurting people's religious sentiments.
Moreover, fireworks and loud music during wedding festivities or cultural events are regular instances. Most of the events or places kickstart New Year's Eve with fireworks. But the constant fireworks can be detrimental to certain individuals.
Even though certain regulations are applied to organisations and events, most residential areas across countries forego these rules.
The most common feature of sound pollution is anger. When you are subjected to constant chaos for a longer period of your day, you are bound to be irritated or angry.
A research paper investigating the effects of chronic exposure to noise on aggression found out long-term exposure to high-level noise may cause tensions and aggression in individuals. They affect different cognitive functions increasing the chances of human errors.
Just imagine the constant exposure to loud noises of vehicles, loudspeakers, and machines are doing to us. Even though we might think we are immune to the chaos and commotion of daily life, it is affecting us in more ways than we can imagine.
Studies have shown that people regularly exposed to high noise levels suffer from headaches, restlessness, tension, and edgy. They are also prone to temporary deafness, which can easily transition to permanent.
Sound pollution is not invisible; the symptoms are mostly psychological and latent. We are not able to associate them correctly with the matter. But it is here, and it is affecting all of us. It might be the constant headache, migration, or lower tolerance to sound levels that we were okay with before. The laws were already insufficient, but with the growing population, the laws now look irrational. It is time authorities amend the laws according to the growing chaos.
We need to take some steps ourselves. We could install sound meter apps on our smartphones to measure the decibels of the surrounding ourselves.
Always carry noise-cancelling headphones or normal earplugs when travelling to cancel out the excessive chatter of the roads. Keep your house surrounded by trees, even a small balcony. They help in absorbing environmental waves.
These are not nearly enough to combat excessive noise pollution. But we need to start somewhere. Also, we need to be extra careful with your older family members.