Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world, but when we think of pollution, we think of air pollution. The images that flash in our heads are usually smog-filled horizons, plastic bags floating through the air landing on a repulsing garbage dump.
Pollution goes far beyond air pollution, plastic pollution and water pollution. Noise pollution surrounds us in our daily lives in the form of loud honks and the bangs and screeches produced at construction sites and through industrial processes. Noise pollution remains largely undiscussed, and not at all deservedly so.
Here are the facts:
The decibel survey conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment in 2011 concluded that Delhi has some of the noisiest roads in India and stands at the top of the list of 50 cities
analysed for noise pollution levels worldwide.
Citizens of Delhi have the maximum amount of hearing loss with regards to their age, and noise pollution are linked to 64% of hearing loss, according to the study. Delhi came second after Guangzhou in the highest incidence of noise pollution. Delhi noise at the ITO intersection hit the decibel scale with a 106 dB. The lack of knowledge about standards of noise in India is what makes people complacent about their activities.
According to an estimate from the WHO, 6% of people in India suffer from hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to noise above 60 dB can lead to Irreversible Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Other health concerns include deafness, serious heart conditions, sleep disorders, and cognitive impairment in young children.
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Things you can do:
1. Turn off appliances at home and even your workplace. This not only saves electricity but helps decrease noise pollution.
2. Use earplugs – Using earplugs helps you shield yourself from illnesses due to exposure to high noise levels.
3. Go Green – According to studies, trees can reduce noise by 5 to 10 decibels around them.
4. Regularly check noise levels – Make sure to do your part, and regulate the noise you make. Check with your buildings and communities, and keep the noise within the limit.
5. Create healthy noise to diffuse unwanted noise – Soft music, singing birds, will help you diffuse unwanted noise.
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