Pollution Research Paper

Vol 40, Issue 3, 2021; Page No.(728-732 )

NOISE POLLUTION, ITS CAUSES AND IMPACTS ON URBAN LIFE: BANGLADESH CONTEXT

FARHANA HELAL MEHTAB AND KUDRAT-E-KHUDA (BABU)

Abstract

Noise pollution is, in addition to water and air problems, one of the emerging hazards that affect the quality of life in Bangladesh, especially in its capital city Dhaka, badly. In most of the places of the metropolitan area, the level of noise pollution exceeds specified standard limits by as much as 20dB. It does not fall below 55dB even in the morning hours in the so-called silent zones. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a number of adverse effects of long exposure to moderate level noise or sudden exposure to excessive noise. The majority of the citizens of Dhaka have been reported not to be aware of the adverse effects of noise pollution. Even they do not think of noise as a pollutant and treat it as a part of their daily life. However, people nowadays have started realizing the adverse impact of noise pollution and the importance of noise pollution control. But, people are not properly aware of the issue. Therefore, there is still much work to be done to educate the people in this regard. The concerned authorities’ actions in this regard are not adequate enough to address this burning issue properly. Moreover, the existing environmental regulations in Bangladesh are also not satisfactory to deal with this invisible enemy. Therefore, this paper aims to determine the causes of noise pollution and its impacts on urban life; scrutinize the prevailing related laws and policies, and conclude with recommendations to stop noise pollution. The paper makes use of secondary data i.e. books, articles, national and international law reports, Acts, etc.