Abstract
Despite the alarming increase in environmental noise pollution, particularly road traffic noise, in developing countries, there seems to be no awareness regarding the long-term impacts of noise, specifically traffic noise, on the health outcomes of individuals exposed to excessive noise. Additionally, there is a dearth of studies on noise and its effects utilising the pollution modelling technique known as Pollution Standard Index (PSI) to analyse the impact of noise pollution on exposed individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the noise levels commuters are exposed to and to apply PSI to determine the level of exposure. We conducted a cross-sectional study at two taxi ranks, over 28 days. Eighty-four noise measurements were collected using a sound level meter and a dosimeter at different times of the day and month, peak vs off-peak hours and busy days vs quiet days. Data were collected between April and July 2019. We used the Pollution Standard Index to analyse the data. Noise levels were above the permissible commercial noise levels as they fell within the extremely dangerous noise sensitivity zone as determined by the PSI. Furthermore, the noise levels fell below the WHO maximum permissible level of 90 dB. There was no statistical difference between the means of the open and closed ranks. Dosimeter noise level recordings fell within the satisfactory zone as measurements were below 300 PSI, which is considered unhealthy. There is a need to raise awareness on the dangers and effects of noise pollution in developing countries, as their populations are exposed to road traffic noise.
Highlights
Despite the alarming increase in environmental noise pollution, road traffic noise, in developing countries, there seems to be no awareness regarding the long-term impacts of noise, traffic noise, on the health outcomes of individuals exposed to excessive noise
While Kreis[6] argues that noise pollution is comparable to air pollution, Banerjee[10] contends that road traffic noise is unique in comparison to other pollutants, such as air or water, as noise has Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. *email: Nomfundo.Moroe@wits.ac.za
This study investigated noise levels at two taxi ranks with the aim of quantifying the level of noise and its impact
Summary
Despite the alarming increase in environmental noise pollution, road traffic noise, in developing countries, there seems to be no awareness regarding the long-term impacts of noise, traffic noise, on the health outcomes of individuals exposed to excessive noise. There is a need to raise awareness on the dangers and effects of noise pollution in developing countries, as their populations are exposed to road traffic noise. Abbreviations NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Association PSI Pollution Standard Index SLM Sound level meter TWA Time weighted average. In Sweden, the number of DALYs (disability adjusted life years) attributed to traffic noise is estimated to be 41,033 years[8], while in Germany, a total of 26,501 DALYs is attributed to road traffic n oise[9]. In developing countries, such data is not readily available. While Kreis[6] argues that noise pollution is comparable to air pollution, Banerjee[10] contends that road traffic noise is unique in comparison to other pollutants, such as air or water, as noise has Scientific Reports | (2022) 12:3454
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
