KARACHI: Residents of Saddar town are exposed to a high level of noise pollution that seems to be causing various health problems, says a recently conducted study.

About 41 per cent people of a selected group were found to be experiencing hearing loss while another 68 per cent reported having frequent headaches.

Titled ‘Effect of road traffic noise on residents of Saddar town’ the study was carried out by Ahmed Faraz, a student of Karachi University Institute of Environmental Studies. The project supervisor was Dr Waqar Ahmed. The aim of the study was to determine levels of noise annoyance and health effects caused by it.

The study results showed that 93pc of the interviewed people were extremely annoyed by traffic noise, and also reported having frequent headaches, depression, abnormal heartbeat and disturbance in studies, sleep, speech and blood pressure levels.

“Fifty-six per cent of the people said that they were disturbed during studies due to traffic noise while 59pc suffered sleep disturbance. Sixty-eight per cent people suffered headache due to noise pollution whereas 41pc were found to be experiencing hearing loss. The depression rate among population was 28pc,” the study says.

Two hundred people that spend maximum time at home were interviewed under the project. Noise levels were recorded at different times and days.

According to the study, the average noise level for a closed room was found to be higher than 60 decibels while for an open house environment it was higher than 70 decibels. The standard noise level recommended by the World Health Organisation is less than 45 decibels (the unit to measure intensity of sound).

“The study revealed that noise level has reached an alarming level in Saddar Town. Most of the area of the Saddar Town has a higher level of noise than the standard limits. Out of the total people interviewed 92pc were found to be annoyed by traffic noise,” it says.

According to the study, environmental noise is known as a major health hazard and its health effects (general annoyance, speech interference and sleep disorder, etc) are all well documented.

In residential areas, it says, road traffic is normally the dominant noise source and estimates show that in Karachi road traffic has grown by 29pc from 1997 to 2010 for personal transport. This increase is unsustainable and strategic action is required to reduce the adverse effects of such environmental noise.

“Noise effects may include annoyance, deterioration of sleep quality and stress-related ischemic heart disease. The blood pressure can increase, decrease or non-significantly increase during exposure to noise and a number of pituitary hormones are affected by noise.

“A number of temporary physiological changes occur in human body as a direct result of noise exposure. It can cause severe increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Auditory effects of noise pollution include auditory fatigue and deafness,” the study says, citing data from different international studies.

One of these researches carried out in the residential and business areas of England points out that noise annoyance among people employed was more in comparison with people who stayed at home. The extent of noise annoyance in men was found to be more than that in women and this amount has been reported to be more among employed people within 45-64 age group than among younger or older age groups.

“Another study done in central Belgrade showed that the degree of sensitivity to noise and the noise level are the most notable factors involved in noise annoyance. It also showed that there is a positive relationship between noise level and nervousness, depression and headache,” it says.

An important point highlighted in the study is related to the noise effects on the hormonal systems of human body, leading to variations in blood pressure and heart plus rate.

“Saddar with a population of about 616,151 is Karachi’s trade centre. The lack of implementation of a traffic plan, encroachment and illegal parking has made the town one of the most congested areas of the city. Besides, its roads are not wide enough for heavy traffic that cause frequent jams,” Dr Waqar Ahmed, research supervisor and assistant professor at KU, said.

According to him, the high levels of noise in the town are not only affecting resident population of the town, but also those that visit the place for different reasons.

“Noise pollution is a big health hazard, especially for people living in Saddar. There needs to be a government initiative to address the issue,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play