Noise pollution in Porto Velho, a typical state capital in Western Amazonia, and a combined approach to cope with

Abstract

The Amazon Region is usually well known for its nature and not for the noise pollution that recently took over in many cities, both major ones such as Porto Velho, Manaus or Belém, as well as minor cities. Transparent facades with large openings of places like restaurants and bars, heavy traffic and young adults competing with high power car sound systems are the most common sources of noise pollution and annoyance. Results from noise measurements done at different moments at several ``hot spots' in Porto Velho, capital of the state of Rondônia, will be presented. A-weighted equivalent sound pressure levels at all measurement points were found to be in exceedance of 70 dBA during several hours at night, causing considerable annoyance to the population. Besides the results of measurements some results of the state authorities approach to combine a campaign to raise noise awareness and noise policy enforcement will be presented.