LUCKNOW: Nights turned noisier in the city in the post-monsoon months of September-October as compared to May-June in the pre-monsoon period this year, leaving a severe negative impact on the health of humans, animals, plants and environment.
High noise levels affect hearing, impact cardiovascular health, and lead to annoyance, sleep disturbance and high blood pressure in individuals. Children and the elderly, especially those with existing physical and mental illness, are more susceptible to noise and face the brunt.
Charbagh recorded the highest noise pollution of 79.5 decibels, revealed CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Researchs’ post-monsoon noise pollution survey.
Indiranagar was the noisiest among all the residential localities in the city both during the day as well as at night, recording noise levels of 72.9 and 62.5 decibels respectively.
After Indiranagar, Gomtinagar (61.1), Aliganj (59.2) and Vikasnagar (57.8) were the noisiest residental areas at night while among commercial areas, Charbagh recorded highest noise pollution of 79.5 decibels at night, followed by Aminabad (69.8), Chowk (67.2) and Alambagh (66.3).
“Due to increase in vehicular traffic, blowing of horns by heavy vehicles like trucks and trailers, use of loudspeakers, blowing of sirens led to increase in noise pollution. Exposure to high noise has several adverse impacts on health and can even lead to loss of hearing if a person is exposed to deafening noise for a prolonged period,” said IITR chief scientist G C Kisku.
Not only on humans, but high noise pollution has a harmful impact on the overall environment, plants, and animals. Noise pollution was recorded above permissible limits, both during day and night, at all locations monitored by CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, he added.
