Assessment of Noise Pollution in Selected Areas of Islamabad

Abstract

Noise pollution is becoming one of the most important and notable environmental issues in growing urban areas where it is impacting the human population's health, well-being and quality of life. The present study was aimed to evaluate the noise pollution in certain areas of the city Islamabad, Pakistan and to check whether they meet the recommended environmental limits. Noise monitoring was carried out at various locations which includes I-9/1, I-9/2, I-9/3, I-9/4, I-10/1, I-10/2, I-10/3, I- 10/4, G-9/1, G-9/2, G-9/3, G-9/4, G-13/1, G-13/2, G-13/3, G-13/4, Kashmir Highway, I.J.P. Road, Faizabad Bus Stop, and G-9 Bus Stop. Using a calibrated sound level meter, sound level measurements were recorded at various times of the day to capture the differences in sound level between residential, commercial, transportation and industrial areas. The results showed that there were significant variations in noise levels when comparing the selected sites. Heavy traffic and public transportation, frequent vehicle congestion and commercial activities are the major reasons of maximum noise levels at Faizabad Bus Stop, I.J.P. Road, and Kashmir Highway. Some moderate to high noise was heard in the industrial areas of I-9 and I-10, and relatively low noise was heard in the residential areas of G-9 and G-13. In some residential areas, however, the noise exceeded the guideline values of 55 dB recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for residential areas. In regard of noise pollution in transportation corridors and commercial areas, very high levels were recorded, well in excess of the permissible limits, suggesting that there is a serious environmental problem with noise pollution in these areas.