Sound Pollution in Dhaka and Its Damaging Effects

Last week, while conducting a viva voce in my English language lab class, I noticed that one of my students could not hear me clearly. I asked why she could not comprehend what I was saying. She explained that she had come to Dhaka from another district around six months ago. From the time she arrived, she had started to experience problems with her hearing, which have worsened over time. She said that the honking noise of vehicles on the roads, along with the noise pollution and hustle of the city, irritates her. This story is not rare in Dhaka.

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Sound pollution occurs when sound is excessively loud and frequent or unwanted and when it causes disturbance to human well-being. According to the World Health Organization, exposure of the human body to sound pollution exceeding 70 dB leads to deafness, while noise above 120 dB can cause instant pain and hearing loss. One of the most polluted cities in terms of noise pollution is Dhaka. Various researches conducted by scientists and environmental bodies have shown that the noise levels in various parts of the city exceeded the standards provided by the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 in Bangladesh. In accordance with those regulations, residential area standards are approximately 50 dB, and those of silent zones, including hospitals and schools, are approximately 45 dB. In the bustling locations, such as Farmgate, Mohakhali, Gulistan and Motijheel, the recorded levels of noise exceed 100 dB, twice over.

The effects of noise on human health are serious. The first and most direct damage is to the ears, as in the case of my student. Continuous loud sound harms the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, and once they are damaged, they do not grow back. At first, a person may hear a ringing sound called tinnitus and later may lose hearing partly or completely. Noise also keeps the body in a state of alert. It raises stress hormones and makes people restless, angry and anxious. Many Dhaka residents feel tired and irritable without knowing that noise is one of the causes. Research from many countries shows that long exposure to traffic noise increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Noise at night, from horns, loudspeakers or construction, disturbs sleep, and poor sleep weakens both body and mind.

Noise affects study and work adversely too. It is hard to concentrate in such an environment. It is difficult for students to pay attention in class, and teachers have to increase their voice level, which hurts their vocal cords. In offices, hospitals and schools located near busy roads, work goes slowly and is more exhausting. Children are particularly vulnerable as noise hampers their ability to read, remember and speak. Infants, elderly people and hospitalised patients suffer the most, as they need sleep and quietness. People coming from quieter towns and villages feel the effect of Dhaka’s noise more sharply as their ears and nervous system are unaccustomed to such noise. The story of my student shows that even six months of staying in the city can have an adverse impact on one’s health, and there are thousands of students and workers who come to Dhaka every year.

What can be done? First of all, the government needs to enforce the already existing noise pollution laws. Traffic police can penalise drivers for using horns unnecessarily and fitting illegal pressure horns. Awareness programmes like "No Horn Day" or putting up boards near hospitals and schools can prove useful, and the drivers need to be educated to use horns only if absolutely required. Improved public transportation, good road construction and proper traffic signalling can help to prevent traffic jams and thereby the honking. There need to be restrictions on construction activity timings and the usage of loudspeakers, particularly near silent zones. Trees can be planted on roadsides as well as near schools and hospitals, which will help to absorb some noise. Universities and schools also need to conduct hearing tests for the students to detect any problem at an early stage and treat them, and people need to consult doctors if they suffer from ringing in the ears or hearing difficulties. We too can contribute our bit by not using horns unnecessarily, reducing the volume of music and loudspeakers, and teaching children the importance of silence.

Noise pollution is not merely an annoyance. It poses a serious risk to the health, education and wellbeing of the people of Dhaka. The story of the young student who came to the city for her studies and started losing her hearing should make us pause. The city should promote growth and development of its citizens, not damage them. Working hand in hand, the government, the drivers and the citizens of Dhaka will be able to make their city a healthier place to live. We have to act immediately before many more lose their hearing.
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The writer is Assistant Professor of English at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka