Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Noise Levels in Delhi and Mumbai

Abstract

AbstractThe World Health Organization estimated that there are 1.5 billion people globally living with some degree of hearing loss. It is estimated that the number of affected people is going to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050. One of the primary reasons behind hearing impairment is exposure to high noise levels. The Worldwide Hearing Index reveals that India has the highest hearing loss (−12.85 years). During the lockdown due to COVID-19, environmental pollution reached baseline levels. The present study investigates the effect of lockdown on noise levels and assesses the current level of noise pollution in Delhi and Mumbai, two metropolitan cities of India. The data for Leq (A), L10 (A), and L90 (A) was recorded through 20 noise monitoring stations (10 in each city) across India. The recorded noise levels during lockdown (25th March 2020–31st May 2020) were compared with pre-lockdown noise levels for both BL2020 (1st February to 24th March 2020) and AL2019 (25th March to 31st May 2019). The highest drop in noise levels in both cities compared to AL2019 levels was recorded in the commercial zones (5%), while the lowest was recorded in silence zones (1%). The highest drop in noise levels compared to BL2020 was recorded in Anand Vihar, Delhi (16%) and Vashi Hosp. Navi Mumbai (20%). The present study may help policymakers, and governing bodies devise a national action plan for redressal noise pollution in India’s urban cities.KeywordsNoise pollutionNoise climateLeqIndia