Determination of noise levels with respect to distance at selected workshops/factories in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Abstract

The measurement of noise levels with distances at selected workshops/factories in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was carried out. The noise levels measurements were made using a sound level meter, while distances were measured with a measuring tape. Firstly, the background noise levels (or noise levels without power generators and other noise makers from the workshops/factories) with distances were taken. Noise levels with power generators and other noise makers were then measured. Finally, the equivalent continuous noise levels, Leqs for them were calculated. The results of the survey show that the equivalent continuous noise level, Leq which is a measure of energy content of the noise decreases as the distance from the noise source increases, hence degree of bother (or annoyance) decreases with distance. Keywords- Determination, distances, equivalent continuous noise levels, Itu Local Government Area, sound level meter.