Determination of Noise Inventory and Noise Zoning for Khulna District of Bangladesh

Abstract

Noise is considered as a sound of independent loudness and an environmental pollutant, produces in conjunction with various anthropogenic activities and becomes hazardous to all living being. In this aspect, the research determined a noise inventory for urban and rural settings in Khulna District of Bangladesh and identified the relevant sources from which the noise produced such as urbanization, industrialization and motorization activities. Sound level meters and questionnaires were used for noise measurement and public perceptions regarding noise pollution in 2005 respectively. The research finds out higher values than the Bangladesh standard almost every sensitive areas like hospitals and schools. The identified noise-levels have the significant impacts on physical and mental health of the stakeholders particularly to the senior citizens, students and children. In addition, the research makes a comparison of noise levels between urban and rural settings, where the comparison shows that noise-levels are closely related with traffic volume, vehicles number, its quality and composition such as trucks, buses, auto rickshaws, construction activities, various machineries and other such tools and activities. The research also analyzes the people’s perception on the noise effects of both urban and rural areas to find out a sustainable remedial measure. The health effects include suffering from headache, bad-temper, sleeplessness, aggravation, hearing problems and other relevant diseases.