ABSTRACT
In recent times, noise has been recognized as a major source
of pollution in many urban and semi-urban settlements. This study identified
the various sources of noise, compared noise levels in various parts of the
study area with recommended standards and determined the geo-physical
characteristic of noise generated in Zaria metropolis. A noise meter extech
model 407750 was used for the noise measurements. A traffic count was conducted
in areas were noise levels are high and the possible effects was also
determined. The reconnaissance survey carried out shows classification into
Transportation and other noise sources and generation in the study area. Other
results obtained showed that noise levels at day (LD) from various sources
(Kwangila, PZ and Kofan Doka), areas were 100.79dB (A), 99.77dB (A) and 94.46dB
(A) respectively. These measurements were all above the WHO standard limit of
75dB (A). The mean noise level at night (LN) relatively falls within the
standard limit. The study revealed that the commercial, industrial, and
transportation noises of the metropolis exceeded the 24 hour WHO noise level
quality standard of 65dB (A). The study however showed that the metropolis mean
noise level of day and night (LDN) is within the NESREA standards especially in
the institutions and schools 45dB (A), residential 54.59 dB (A), industrial
73.78 dB (A), hotels 55.6 dB (A) and religious areas 50.49 dB (A). The average
day-night noise level (LDN) obtained is an indication that the noise level of
Zaria metropolis is on the average when compared to NESREA standards. The
perception of the residents on possible effects of noise to human health
revealed that majority of the respondents which constitute 56.3%, 58.2% and
60.6% agreed that noise causes headache, loss of sleep and stress respectively,
compared to their counterparts who disagree were 2.8%, 7.5% and 12.5% in that
order. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the areas where noise
levels are relatively high, planting of trees amongst others should be explored
to mitigate the high noise levels.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1. 1 Preamble
Noise may be defined as any sound that is undesired by the
recipient. Noise is often referred to as unwanted sound, and is typically
characterized by the intensity, frequency, periodicity and duration of the
sound. Noise is also an acoustic, electric or electronic signal consisting
of a random mixture of wavelengths () (Filippi, 1998). Noise
pollution being a byproduct of modern developments in technology is a major
constraint on the quality of life in urban settlements. Population explosion
and increasing human activities give rise to noise pollution in many cities and
urban areas of the world. In most urban areas, according to Mansouri, et al (2006),
noise pollution is a result of unplanned settlements and is perceived as the
least contaminant among all the environmental pollutants.
An important factor for the quality of life in any metropolis
is related to the noise levels to which the population is exposed. Several
factors interfere with the amount of noise pollution throughout the metropolis.
The challenge thus, is the quantification of the noise effects on the population
growth in terms of economic, social development and population increase
tendency towards noise generation. Noise is a growing health threat, and if
left unchecked, could result to hazardous conditions (Adejobi, 2012).
The growth in noise pollution is unsustainable because it
involves direct, as well as cumulative, adverse health effects. Due to the
ignorance as a factor on human nature, little or no attention is paid to noise
pollution in Nigeria. It is on this note, that this study examines the
environmental noise levels of Zaria metropolis, one of the ancient towns in
northern Nigeria.
In Nigeria, the problem of noise
pollution is widespread. A study on environmental noise pollution in Nigerian
urban centers found that increase in population, commercial activities and road
traffic volume, increase the level of noise generation. Other concomitant
noises have been noted to be severe in rapidly expanding cities, towns and
regions in Nigeria as observed in the South Eastern States (Onuu, 1992). Noise
exposure is not a new phenomenon. Records show that even in medieval times,
carriages and horseback riding were banned during the night in some cities in
Europe, in order to prevent sleep disturbance (World Health Organization,
2000).
In addition, noise pollution is recognized as a major problem
for the quality of life in major urban centre’s of the world. Because of the
increase in the number of cars and industrialization, noise pollution has also
increased. Noise in cities, especially along main arteries, has reached up
disturbing levels. Existing evidence indicating that noise pollution may have
negative impacts on human health, depending on its duration and volume. The
effects of noise on human health and comfort are divided into four categories;
physical effects, such as hearing defects; physiological effects, such as
increased blood pressure, irregularity of heart rhythms and ulcers;
psychological effects, such as disorders, sleeplessness and going to sleep
late, irritability and stress; and finally effects on work performance, such as
reduction of productivity and misunderstanding what is heard, (Marius et al.,
2005).
Noise does not only have harmful effects but sometimes it is
very useful. Some of the examples of its usefulness includes:
Study of Heart Beats: Noise produced by the heart beats is
very useful to diagnose the person’s health accordingly.
Masking Effects: Sometimes, it is
necessary that nobody should hear the conversation between the two persons. For
this, masking effect is used. e.g. in the doctor’s chamber, doctor wants that
nobody should hear his conversation with the patient so he uses masking effect
by putting a more noisy exhaust fan which makes noise outside the room.
Music and Entertainments: the effect energy produced from
sounds in a coordinated frequency and amplitude transform unto hear pleasurable
(music). This however, translates to entertainment depending on the
circumstances.
Fundamentally, sound is produced as result of some mechanical
disturbance creating pressure variations in an environment such as air or
water, or in fact any elastic medium which can transmit a pressure wave. To be
able to hear the sound there must always be air or other elastic medium at the
ear. The magnitude of the pressure variations (The amplitude of the pressure
oscillation) is proportional to the loudness of the sound. The number of
pressure cycle’s per-second determines whether we hear a sound of high pitch or
of low pitch, the higher the frequency the higher the pitch.
If a device, which can detect small pressure variations
(microphone), is placed in the sound field, it will produce an electric signal
proportional to the sound pressure. The unit of sound
pressure is Pa (Pascal=N/m2).The range of audible sound
pressure variations is very wide ranging from 2x10-5Pa = 20μPa, which is
threshold of hearing (Pt) to approximately 100 Pa, the threshold of pain (Pp).
The ratio between the threshold of hearing and the threshold of
pain is 5000 000: 1 equivalent to 134 dB is logarithmic ratio
which defines the sound pressure
level L as follows: L = 20 x log10p/pref.
The growth in noise pollution is unsustainable because it
involves direct, as well as cumulative, adverse health effects. Due to the
ignorance on human nature due to the fact that there exist a close nexus
between noise pollution and sustainable city, little or no attention is
paid to noise pollution in Nigeria.
It is on this note, that this study examines the environmental noise levels of
Zaria metropolis, one of the ancient towns in northern Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
Noise is increasingly a cause of concern in the environment
especially in urban areas that are growing in industrialization and
transportation activities (Oyedepo et al., 2009). As the demand for air, rail
and road transport continues to grow, more people are being exposed to noise
from transport and other sources. In Nigeria, the problem of noise pollution is
wide spread. A study on noise pollution in Nigerian urban centers found that
increase in population, commercial activities and road traffic volume increases
the level of noise generation and other concomitant noises have been noted to
be severe in rapidly expanding towns and cities and regions in Nigeria such as
the South Eastern States (Onuu, 1992). Exposure to Noise is not a new
phenomenon, records show that even in medieval era, carriages and horseback
riding were banned during night in some cities in Europe in order to prevent
sleep disturbance (WHO, 2000). An important factor of life quality in a densely
populated area/region is proportional to the noise levels to which the
population is exposed to, in terms of economic/commercial activities, social
development and population, increases noise generation. Also the connectivity
of transport network and traffic density could result to an increase in noise
volume generated as observed by Ozer, et al., (2009). Some of the major health
effects of noise include hypertension, ischemic heart disease, changes in the
immune system and birth defects as observed by Passchier-Vermeer and Passchier,
(2000).
In Zaria today, with the rehabilitation and revitalization of
the railways, the concern is expected to increase especially the aerodrome of
NCAT that is being upgraded. Therefore, exposure to transportation noise will
increasingly become an important environmental issue. The direct impact of
noise on the human ear is well established and accepted. The effect
result from the noise being a general
stressor and so induces conditions like sleep disturbance, mental ill health,
physiological dysfunction, distorted speech and poor cognitive performance
especially in children.
In search of literature for this study within Zaria
metropolis, research has not been conducted on the noise level generated by
commercial, residential, industrial and transport activities especially among
other sources which this study tends to unravel.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.3.1 Aim of the Study
The aim of this study is to evaluate noise level from various
sources within Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
1.3.2 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study are to;
i. identify various sources of noise generation in Zaria
metropolis Kaduna State, Nigeria.
ii. determine the Geo-physical characteristics of the study area.
iii. determine the level of noise generation and traffic volume in
areas where noise levels are high within the metropolis and compare with NESREA
and WHO standards.
examine spatial pattern of noise generation in the
metropolis.
iv. Describe people’s perception of possible effects of noise on
human health.
1.4 Justification
The world indeed is changing especially on the rate of
urbanization and industrialization; the outcome of this study will thus make a
great impact in devising means of putting in place
control measures for noise pollution
and environmental sustainability in Zaria metropolis. The need to develop
understanding, not only of the magnitude of the effects of noise and
exposure-effects relationship in order to trigger interventions and policy; but
also to consider the mechanisms of the effects such as the role of annoyance,
adaptation, habituation, acclimation and coping strategies in non-auditory
impacts of noise (Okuofu, 2014). The findings of this study when published and
publicized will help the people to be aware of the level of noise pollution in
the metropolis the major characteristic contributions of noise pollution to the
environment and reduction measures appropriate
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study covers Zaria Metropolis. Within the
limit of the scope, various noise levels from industrial, commercial,
educational/institutional, residential, recreational and religious areas and a
control area at Angwan Fulani will be sourced and evaluated.
1.6. Limitation of the Study
Every research has one limitation or the other; certainly, the
greatest limitation for this study was lack of sophisticated equipment’s,
finance and duration/period of the assessment/analysis and possible means of
being in all the sample points/fields the same time.
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Item Type: Project Material | Size: 83 pages | Chapters: 1-5
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