Sound pollution falls on deaf ears

Noise pollution has turned acute in Khulna city, as sound levels have gone beyond the permissible level at many points of the city, putting public health at risk.

Most vehicles plying the city's streets continue to use hydraulic horns, much to the dismay of residents. Vehicles -- buses, trucks, microbuses and auto-rickshaws -- use the horns excessively. Mills, factories and workshops keep adding to the noise pollution, due to the lack of any proper supervision.

Residents alleged that such menace is increasing due to indifference of the authorities concerned.

According to experts, sound pollution is the disturbing noise that has harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. The source of ambient sound worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor-vehicles engines and construction work.

According to the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, the acceptable sound level for the country is 50dB for daytime and 40dB for night in silent areas; 50dB for daytime and 45dB for night in residential areas; 60dB for daytime and 50dB for night in mixed areas (residential, commercial and industrial localities); 70dB for daytime and 60dB for night in commercial areas, and 75dB for daytime and 70dB for night in industrial areas.

The decibel (abbreviated dB) is the unit used to measure intensity of a sound.

But as per the December 2018 report of Department of Environment, Khulna, most of the populous places in the city have crossed the allowed limit of 60dB. The noise level at Rupsha Traffic intersection was 70dB and Daulatpur, Sonadanga and Boyra bus stands stood at 73, 82 and 72 respectively.

Also, intersections like Gallamari (76dB), Notun Rasta (73dB), Shibbari (69dB), Royal (70dB), Khulna DC Office (69dB), Khulna Medical College Hospital (70dB), Abu Naser Hospital (69dB), Ad-din Hospital (70dB), Phultala (69dB), Phulbari Gate (68dB), Jora Gate (71dB), Khulna Power House (72dB) and Dakbangla (78dB) have crossed the durable limit.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), generally 60dB sound can make a person deaf temporarily and 100dB sound can cause complete deafness.

Azizur Rahman, a resident of Tutpara area, said sound pollution has reached an intolerable level in the city. “It's also affecting people's behaviour.”

According to health experts, sound pollution causes high blood pressure, headache, indigestion, ulcer, and also affects sleep. Anyone may become deaf for the time being if 100dB or more noise pollution occurs for half an hour or more in any place.

Dr Nurul Haque Fakir, an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist, said prolonged noise can damage eardrums and may result in permanent hearing loss. Its physiological manifestations are irritability and nervousness, fatigue and lack of work efficiency, he added.

Cardiologist Bidhan Chandra Goswami, director of Abu Naser Specialised Hospital, said, “Sound pollution has an adverse impact on human body and may create serious complications for heart patients, children and pregnant women.”

Noting that working in chaotic noise for a long period can cause complete deafness, he said children are being adversely affected by sound pollution since it stimulates their brains.

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, Khulna divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, said sound exceeding the permissible limit is a punishable offence.

But no laws have yet been properly implemented in this regard. The traffic police and administration must work to bring the noise level down in the city, and punish those who cause undue noise pollution.

As per noise pollution rules, one may face one-month jail and Tk 5,000 fine for a first-time violation and upon repeating the same offence, the punishment would be six-month imprisonment and Tk 10,000 fine.

But the rules are rarely being implemented in Khulna, alleged residents.

Contacted, Zeaur Rahaman, deputy director of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (Khulna circle), said BRTA is initiating awareness programmes and conducting regular drives in this regard.

However, “Under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance, only Tk 100 is realised as fine for using horns beyond permissible sound limit or hydraulic ones,” he said. “The hydraulic horns are also cheap and easily available.”

“What we need is a combined effort from BRTA, DoE, law enforcers and the administration to curb this menace,” stressed the deputy director.

Habibul Haque Khan, director of DoE, Khulna division, said DoE will strengthen its enforcement activities involving all stakeholders concerned aiming to check sound pollution.

Md Saiful Haque, deputy commissioner of traffic, Khulna Metropolitan Police, said, “We are conducting regular drives and filing cases to control sound menace.” Asked about the Tk 100 fine, he admitted that such a paltry amount is failing to have any impact.

Rights activists, however, stressed that the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 has to be implemented properly in this regard.

Asked, Khulna DoE director blamed lack of logistics and manpower for failing to implement the noise pollution rules. “We're trying to come up with a solution,” he said.