The Levels of Environmental Pollution by Noise in the Industrial Areas of Sulaimani City in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Environmental pollution is one of the biggest problems that face humanity and it is very dangerous matter these days. Furthermore, excessive noise is regarded as a significant environmental pollution like other environmental pollutions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to assess noise pollution levels and its effects on the environment at the commercial and Industrial zone in Sulemani city The noise levels were measured by using a sound level meter. This research of noise assessment was conducted in three different seasons which were summer, spring, and winter. Noise pollution was measured on official working days from Sunday to Thursday and in the day and night periods. Moreover, noise levels were measured on weekend days, Friday and Saturday, and in both daytime and nighttime periods as well. Also, the aim of this research was to identify and investigate noise effects on human being body and psychological characteristics. In view of the obtained results, we also concluded that the background noise level in the study area has exceeded the permissible international noise standards, and this causing posing a serious threat to people's health and having negative consequences for their heart, veins, and blood circulation system. Therefore, this study strongly suggests that it is necessary to develop a noise abatement strategy and programme of strategic noise reduction in the study area, such as building barriers between the noise sources and peoples; locating noisy equipment as far as possible from hospitals, schools, work areas; implementation of environmentalist policies and regulations; etc.