Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka!
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka!

Bangladesh

UNB
24 January, 2021, 06:55 pm
Last modified: 24 January, 2021, 07:00 pm

Related News

  • Construction of ‘Breezy Terrace’ project of Ranks FC begins
  • Rains lash Dhaka, trigger snarls
  • No gas supply to parts of Dhaka today
  • Traffic jam as overturned van rescue takes 6hrs
  • Authorities lack vision for Dhaka city: Syeda Rizwana

Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka!

The use of banned hydraulic horns, (a major source of impulsive noise) has risen by 15-25 percent in the city's roads, according to the study carried out by the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) of Stamford University

UNB
24 January, 2021, 06:55 pm
Last modified: 24 January, 2021, 07:00 pm
Sound level above 70 dB is considered as extreme by WHO but a study recorded 120-129 dB sound in several places in Dhaka city. UNB file photo
Sound level above 70 dB is considered as extreme by WHO but a study recorded 120-129 dB sound in several places in Dhaka city. UNB file photo

Though there was a drop in the level of noise pollution in Dhaka during the initial days of the Covid-induced lockdown period, the brief interlude of quiet has started fading since restrictions were lifted in September.

In fact, in the last two months of 2020, the noise pollution levels in the capital increased alarmingly by an average of 10 percent, year-on-year, thus posing a serious health risk to the residents, according to a recent study.

Impulsive noise (the noise lasts for a short duration) increased by 10-12 percent, compared with 2019, though continuous noise (lasts for longer duration) declined by 3-4 percent, as per the study conducted in November and December last.

But the study found some 15 percent less traffic in the city's roads, compared with 2019.

The use of banned hydraulic horns, (a major source of impulsive noise) has risen by 15-25 percent in the city's roads, according to the study carried out by the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) of Stamford University.

Talking about the study, CAPS Founder and Director Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said the overall noise pollution has increased despite the decline in traffic on the city's roads.

"The most alarming thing is that the situation will deteriorate further if the number of vehicles goes up again like the pre-Covid period," he said.

Explaining types of noise, he said the impulsive noise is induced by sudden sound like hydraulic horns and the continuous noise is induced by motorised machines, generators and such other  things.

The sound level above 70 dB is considered as extreme by the World Health Organization, but the study found the highest 120-129 dB sound recorded in several places in Dhaka city, said Dr Majumder, also the Chairman of the Environment Science Department of the university.

In the 2019 study, the highest 120-126 dB sound was recorded at several points in the capital, he added.  

The women, children, pregnant women and traffic police are the worst affected by shrill sound as it exposes serious threat to their mental health, said Dr Majumder.

He said 8 percent members of traffic police are going to lose their hearing capacity permanently, while 35 percent members of the traffic police are suffering from temporary hearing problems due to acute noise pollution.

As per the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, the permissible sound level for Bangladesh is 50 decibel (dB) for daytime and 40 dB for the night in silent areas.

In residential areas, the permissible limit is 55 dB for daytime and 45 dB for the night, while it's 60 dB for the daytime and 50 dB for night in mixed areas (residential, commercial and industrial localities) and 70 dB for daytime and 60 dB for the night in commercial areas. 

The WHO considers 0-20 dB as normal sound, 21-40 dB as moderate sound, 41-70 dB as mild sound, 71-90 as extreme sound and 91-120 as intolerable sound. The maximum permissible exposure time at 85 dB is 8 hours, at 100 dB is 15 minutes, at 110 dB is one minute and at 120 dB is only nine seconds, according to the WHO. 

If more than 100 dB sound is exposed to anyone for a 15-minute period could result in temporary hearing loss. But the 120 dB sound could result in permanent hearing loss.

Experts say sound pollution causes mental and physical illnesses among people. It can cause high blood pressure, headache, indigestion, ulcer, and also affects sleep.

Talking about another recent study conducted in the Bangladesh Secretariat areas, Prof Majumder said the noise pollution also increased in the area even after it was declared as a 'silent zone' (no horn zone) a year ago.

The researchers measured the sound levels at 12 surrounding points of the Secretariat. The highest 128.2 dB sound was recorded at the Press Club point where the highest 126.1 dB recorded in the 2019 study. 

The sound level above 70 dB (shrill sound) lasted on average for 91.99 percent time at the 12 points. Of these, the extreme sound lasted for 100 pc time at Paltan bus stand, 99.4 percent time at Zero point and 99.2 percent time at Kadam Foara point.

Top News

Noise pollution / Dhaka

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Corporates go cashless…tax cut on cards
    Corporates go cashless…tax cut on cards
  • Rising revenue collection a false dawn, economists say
    Rising revenue collection a false dawn, economists say
  • Why we must resist geoeconomic fragmentation—and how
    Why we must resist geoeconomic fragmentation—and how

MOST VIEWED

  • Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
    Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
  • Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
    Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
  • Traffic jam as overturned van rescue takes 6hrs
    Traffic jam as overturned van rescue takes 6hrs
  • PK Halder wants to return home
    PK Halder wants to return home
  • File photo of Mahfuz Anam
    Explanation by Mahfuz Anam
  • Project delays: The Sinohydro case
    Project delays: The Sinohydro case

Related News

  • Construction of ‘Breezy Terrace’ project of Ranks FC begins
  • Rains lash Dhaka, trigger snarls
  • No gas supply to parts of Dhaka today
  • Traffic jam as overturned van rescue takes 6hrs
  • Authorities lack vision for Dhaka city: Syeda Rizwana

Features

Musk is denying the sexual harassment allegation that surfaced this week. Photo: Bloomberg

Elon Musk’s crazily banal week 

10h | Panorama
Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

14h | Brands
Keep your phone by your side with this armband

Keep your phone by your side with this armband

11h | Brands
Are Focallure gel masks worth the hype?

Are Focallure gel masks worth the hype?

12h | Brands

More Videos from TBS

Why are Duranta TV shows popular?

Why are Duranta TV shows popular?

6h | Videos
Donbas is hell, says Zelenskiy

Donbas is hell, says Zelenskiy

7h | Videos
Threat of Monkeypox on the horizon

Threat of Monkeypox on the horizon

7h | Videos
Mosque of Mughal period in Gazipur

Mosque of Mughal period in Gazipur

8h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

4
PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire
Crime

PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire

5
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

6
The reception is a volumetric box-shaped room that has two glass walls on both the front and back ends and the other two walls are adorned with interior plants, wood and aluminium screens. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Habitat

The United House: Living and working inside nature

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab