Moradabad 2nd noisiest city in the world. Kolkata, Asansol, Jaipur and Delhi also amongst the noisiest cities: United Nations Environment Programme report

The United Nations Environment Programme recently highlighted the rising noise pollution levels globally. Three South Asian cities Dhaka, Moradabad and Islamabad from the Indian subcontinent bagged the top three spots.

The report ‘Frontiers 2022: Noise, Blazes and Mismatches’ highlights the ills of noise pollution and its long-term physical and mental health impacts, along with measures that can be undertaken to create positive and restorative soundscapes in urban areas.

The data was accumulated by using various studies and publications which used different parameters and methodologies. World Health Organization (WHO) established a health-protective recommendation for road traffic noise levels of 53 dB (decibel) and railways levels of 54dB based on the Lden indicator in its 2018 guidelines.

A level of 40dB is perceived as quiet as that of in a library whereas moving up the ladder 70dB is considered as moderately loud similar to a vacuum cleaner working 3m away and 100dB is perceived as very loud which can be imagined as an ambulance siren some 30m away. The threshold of discomfort occurs at a level of 120dB which is equivalent to the sound of a jet taking off 60m away.

The noise levels were as high as 119dB in Dhaka, 114dB in Moradabad and 109dB in Islamabad. Apart from Moradabad other Indian cities such as Kolkata, Asansol, Jaipur and Delhi which made the list have noise levels in the range of 80-90dB. The report mentions that regular exposure to over 85 dB for an 8-hour day or longer can cause permanent hearing damage. Other cities which fell near the alarming 100dB mark of very loud include Algiers(100dB), Ibadan(101dB), New York(95dB), Damascus(94dB), Bangkok(99dB) and Ho Chi Minh City(103dB).

The UNEP also quoted two 15-year studies of long-term residents of Toronto and found that the exposure to road traffic noise elevated risks for acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, and also increased the incidence of diabetes mellitus by 8 percent and hypertension by 2 percent. It also mentioned that In Europe alone, long-term exposure to environmental noise causes 12,000 premature deaths and contributes to 48,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease yearly.

The report added that noise attenuation can be achieved by planting roadside tree belts, using electric vehicles and by installing both conventional and vegetative noise barriers. Further, it stated, “Noise pollution should be considered within a broader range of environmental challenges through integrated policies, particularly for the combination of noise and air pollution”.

Sardonically, officials from Moradabad were quick to refute the report. There are no sensors installed by UNEP to measure such data here, neither have we received any info about such monitoring, the report is wrong” Vikas Mishra, Pollution Control Board, Moradabad said.