ABSTRACT
Noise pollution continues to grow and is accompanied by an increasing number of complaints including discomfort and irritation to people depending on its intensity, duration and frequency. Ambient noise levels were sampled from different points around three major markets in umuahia using noise level meter Extech 407730. The instrument was calibrated by the internal sound level calibrator before making measurements at each site. Measurements were recorded at intervals of 30 seconds for a period of 7.5 minutes, giving 15 readings per sampling location. The sampling locations and coordinates of sampling points were taken with Garmin GPS. This procedure was carried out at peak hours of operation during the morning (8.00- 9.00am), Afternoon (1.00- 2.00pm) and Evening 5.00- 6.00pm). With the use of simple random sampling technique, questionnaires and interviews were administered to saw millers, timber dealers, food millers and other marketers to determine the implications of noise generated in the study areas. However, the Duncan multiple Range Test showed that there was no significant difference (P≥0.005) between the mean noises. Results show that the levels of the noise varies from each market as more noise levels were recorded in Ubani market, followed by Ahieke and then Orieugba market. Mean noise level in the three markets were above minimum acceptable standard of 85 dB(A) over 8 hours. Some recommendations made to operators and traders which will ensure health safety management during operations include, but limited to; the provision of noise control devices like use of mufflers, dampers and silencers, strict adherence to government regulations and policies, regular maintenance of milling machines to reduce warbling of components which leads to increase in noise generation, and use of enclosures on feed mills equipment to reduce vibration and noise transmission to the mill workers and general public.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of content vi
List of tables ix
List of figures x
Abstract xi
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the Study 1
1.2
Statement of the Problem 2
1.3
Justification of the Study 5
1.4
Significance of the Study 6
1.5 Aim and Objectives of the Study 6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
Concept of Noise 7
2.2
Types of Environmental Noise 9
2.2.1
Industrial noise 9
2.2.2 Transport noise 11
2.2.3 Neighbourhood noise 12
2.3 Sources of Environmental Noise 12
2.3.1 Electricity generating plant 12
2.3.2 Traffic noise 13
2.3.2.1 Road traffic noise 14
2.4 Evaluation of Industrial Noise 15
2.4.1 Noise levels for the woodworking machines 16
2.5 Health Effects of Noise 18
2.5.1 Sleep disturbance 19
2.5.2 Annoyance 19
2.5.3 Hearing loss 20
2.5.4 Hearing impairment 20
2.5.5 Mental health effect 22
2.5.6 Cardio vascular diseases 22
2.5.7 Stress 23
2.5.8 Accidents 24
2.6 Policy and Statutes 25
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study Area 27
3.1.2 Economic activities 30
3.2 Reconnaissance Survey 30
3.3 Experimental Design 30
3.3.1 Experimental procedure for noise measurement
30
3.3.2 Types of noise metrics 31
3.3.3 The Impact of the noise on the operators
within the study area 32
3.4 Statistical Analysis 32
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Results 34
4.1.1 Factors responsible for noise generated in
Orieugba market
34
4.1.2 Factors responsible for noise generation in
Ubani and Ahiaeke markets 35
4.1.3 Reconnaissance survey analysis on people
around the study locations 36
4.1.4 Models analysis on noise values obtained
from study locations 38
4.2 Discussion 40
4.2.1 Identification
of noise sources responsible for general noise levels in Ahiaeke,
Orieugba
and Ubani markets 41
4.2.2 Examination
of the age of machines, times and work load, safety and regulatory
practices
of the marketers in Ahiaeke, Orieugba and Ubani markets. 42
4.2.3 Noise
levels around the selected processing mills of Ahiaeke, Orieugba and Ubani
markets in three different periods of the day. 43
CHAPTER
5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
47
5.2 Recommendations
47
References
49
LIST
OF TABLES
4.1: Factors responsible for noise generation in Ubani and Ahiaeke
markets 35
4.2: Noise analysis
around the markets area where machines are used 35
4.3: Survey
enquiry analysis around the markets area where machines are used
36
LIST OF FIGURES
3.1: Map
of Abia State showing the study area in Umuahia North Local Government 29
4.1: Factors
responsible for noise generated in Orieugba market 34
4.2: Noise
level varied significantly across the weeks in Ahiaeke market location 38
4.3: Noise
level across time of day in Orieugba market location 39
4.4: Noise
level across the weeks in Ubani market location. 40
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Environmental
noise has been defined as an unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human
activities . In recent years heavy urbanization and industrialization have aggravated
the environmental noise problem all around the world (Mansouri, N.,
Pourmahabadian, M., and Ghasenkhani, T., 2006). The increase in the
population and the number of circulating vehicles have led to an increase in
noise pollution but noise pollution has been considered less than other
contaminants in the environment (Mansouri, et
al., 2006). Davis and
Masten (2004) stated three valid reasons why wide spread recognition of noise
pollution problem has not materialized in a similar fashion as air and water
pollution problems. These reasons are summarized in the definition and perception
of noise as a subjective experience, short decay time and difficulty to associate
cause with effect when it comes to health impacts.
The
need for studies regarding urban noise pollution and its consequences on
environment has motivated various researchers to investigate the problem in
several countries (Ugwuanyi, J.U, Ahemen, I.,and Agbendeh, A.A, 2004; Zannin P.H.T., Calixto, A., Diniz, F., and Ferreira, J.A.C, 2003).
Studies showed that sources of noise are many and varied but, many researchers
have reported that road traffic
is the predominant and most generalized noise source in urban areas (Nelsen,
1998).
Apart
from the discomfort and irritation,
noise pollution can cause harm depending on its intensity, duration and
frequency. In contrast to many other environmental problems, noise pollution
continues to grow and is accompanied by an increasing number of complaints from
people exposed to the noise. The need for studies regarding urban noise
pollution and its consequences on the environment has motivated various
research works on the problem in several countries (Ugwuanyi et al.,
2004). Increasingly, noise pollution has
become a major problem facing many residents in urban areas. The situation
which has assumed alarming proportion in recent times is attributed by worried
residents, to the growing numbers of social services centres such as churches
and drinking spots and small scale industries like corn mills and saw mills
operation.
Braj
and Jain (1995) reported that commercial areas have the highest noise levels
followed by industrial and residential areas. It has been generally accepted
that noise pollution particularly road traffic noise issues is widespread in
rapidly expanding cities, such as those in southeastern Nigeria (Onuu, 1992)
where insufficient control is exercised and cities are poorly planned. World
Health Organization (WHO, 1999), reported that throughout the world,
noise-induced hearing impairment is the most prevalent irreversible
occupational hazard and an estimated 120 million people have disabling hearing
difficulties. In addition, 16 % of total
global deafness is estimated to be caused by occupational noise and more than 4
million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) are lost to noise induced
hearing loss (WHO, 1999),
General
awareness of the effects of occupational noise has led to promulgation of several
legislations which prescribe permissible noise level at workplaces. Levels
below 80dB (A) has been agreed by most experts to result in minimal risk of
hearing loss development (Ali, 2011; Adie, D.B., Otun, J.A., Okuofu, C.A.,2012).
The noise level reported by these studies with diverse machinery and operating
environment varies considerably. Generally, workplaces in the industrial sector
have not only generated huge amounts of noise; they have equally witnessed
enormous increase in number and diversification.
1.2
STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM.
In
2007, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Act was repealed and
replaced by the Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement
Agency (NESREA). This agency made efforts to examine that existing legislations
on abnormal noise levels must be enforced. By the year 2009, the National
Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulation Act of, S.I.35 was
formed. The purpose of the new regulation were to:
(1.) Identify
major noise sources, noise criteria and noise control technology
(2.) Make
regulations on noise emission, control, abatement as may be necessary to preserve
and maintain public health and welfare
(3.) Enforce
compliance with existing regulations and recommend program for noise control originating
from industrial, commercial, domestic, sports, recreational, transportation or
other similar activities by prescribing
the maximum permissible noise level or activity to which a person may be
exposed to and,
(4.) Implement
noise control and mitigating measures for reduction of noise.
The
Act stipulates that anybody, whether individual or corporate body that exceeds
permissible noise limits of 90 decibels for a period of eight (8) hours has
committed an offense and will have to pay fine of #50,000 or imprisonment for a
term not exceeding one year or both, and, or pay an additional fine of #5,000
for every day the offence subsists for individuals. Whereas, for corporate
body, fine of #500,000 and an additional fine of #10,000 for every day the
offence subsists. In Umuahia urban area, noise is currently a major
environmental concern and it is an everyday occurrence within the markets and
city. Artisans use grinding machines of various shapes and sizes to dish out
loud noise, Industries use machines that release high sound level for
production and high vehicular movement.
There
is a mounting confirmation that noise above 80 dB in the workplace are
hazardous to health (Mackenzie and David, 2006). Workers and other people who
are exposed to high noise levels have more social conflicts both at home and
work places and, in addition, experience consistent deterioration in
performance (Khitoliya, 2004, Enger and Smith, 2010, Hunashala and Patil, 2012;
Kumar et al., 2015). Frequent
exposure to high level of noise can cause severe stress on auditory and nervous
system (Subramani et al., 2012). Many
cities of the world are now facing problems of increase in noise levels due to
commercial and industrial activities, population increase, transportation development and
congestion (Mansouri et al., 2006).
High noise levels are now recognized worldwide as a major environmental problem
affecting the quality of life in urban areas. The effects of noise on human
health and comfort are usually discussed under four categories; namely Physical
effects, such as hearing defects, Physiological effects, such as increased
blood pressure, irregularity of heart rhythms and ulcers, Psychological
effects, such as disorders, sleeplessness, irritability and stress, and finally
Effects on work performance, such as reduction of productivity and
misunderstanding what is heard (Evans and Hygge, 2000; Stansfield et al., 2000; Passchier-Vermeer and Passchier,
2000; Srivastava, 2012, Vidya and Nageshwara, 2012, Nubi, 2014). Similarly,
psychiatrists and psychologists have repeatedly observed that noise pollution
has certain relationship with healthy living, causing tension that leads to
problems such as speech interference,
annoyance, fatigue, sleep interference and emotional distress (CEF, 2014).
1.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The
health effects of noise pollution cannot be over emphasized. This has prompted
the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Environmental Protection
Agency (Nigeria) to set standards and limits of allowable noise levels. Noise
pollution occurs when it is observed that those standards are exceeded as seen
in (Usikalu and Kolawole, 2018; Ogunsola, et
al., 1994).
Umuahia is a city affected by noise pollution and also by its related
problems of public health of its inhabitants. The percentages of population
exposed to commercial time sound levels
that are harmful to health are high given the high population counts of people
who use the markets.
A recent publication by the World Health Organization
points out that noise pollution, ranked second among a series of environmental
stressors for their public health impact and, contrary to the trend for other
environmental stressors which are declining, is actually increasing in Europe
(WHO, 2011).
Hence, the need to evaluate the noise level caused by
human, vehicular and market activities (processing and milling industries) is
justified as this will aid in providing knowledge and also help in government
policy direction on how to manage, control and sensitize the public on the
dangers of exposure to noise.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will provide needed knowledge for the
public, government, and the academia on the levels of noise pollution, the
demography and livelihood of those exposed to the noise. It will help to
provide knowledge for government which will aid in sharpening policy directions
in curbing noise pollution, and possible dangers emanating from the noise to
the populace. It will also provide literature guide for further studies on
noise pollution in Umuahia and other similar areas.
1.5 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of the study is to identify noise source,
assess noise level in the market and in some selected processing and milling
industries in Umuahia North LGA, Abia State.
The specific objectives are:
1.
To
determine the daily noise levels around the selected processing mill of Ahieke, Orieugba and Ubani market in
Umuahia North LGA.
2.
To examine the age of machines, time and
work load, safety and regulatory practices
of the marketers in Ahiaeke, Orieugba and Ubani markets.
3.
To
compare the levels of noise generated within the study location (Ahieke, Orieugba and Ubani markets) during the
Morning, Afternoon and Evening periods
of the day.
4.
To determine the health and environmental
challenges or problems associated with
the people in the study location using recommended survey.
5.
To proffer solution for machine handlers
and other operators in study location.
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