Sound level exposure in the residential and peace zones of Kathmandu valley and its effects on human health

Authors

  • Priyanka Chand Department of Environmental Science, Amrit Science Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu-44600, Nepal
  • Rajeev Joshi College of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Katari-56310, Udayapur, Nepal; Amity Global Education (Lord Buddha College), CTEVT, Kathmandu-44600, Nepal
  • Alina Maharjan Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu-44600, Nepal
  • Padam Joshi Department of Environmental Science, Amrit Science Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu-44600, Nepal
  • Siddhant Joshi Faculty of Engineering, Far Western University, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur-10400, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7332209

Keywords:

Decibel, Equivalent Noise, noise pollution, residential zone, silent zone

Abstract

Noise is referred to as an unwanted sound that has been found rapidly increased in Kathmandu as a result of the city's rapid urbanization. This study aims to determine sound level exposure in Kathmandu's residential and silent zones. The noise level was measured from November to December 2021, using a sound level meter at 15 locations in the morning, afternoon, and evening from 9 to 10 a.m., 1 to 2 p.m., and 5 to 6 p.m., respectively. The average noise level in the silent zone was found to be highest in Amrit Campus (80.46 dB (A)) and lowest in Teku Hospital (62.24 dB (A)). Similarly, the average noise level was highest in Banasthali (71.88 dB (A)) and the lowest in Dallu (66.02 dB (A)) of the residential zone. This result showed that the equivalent noise level is above the prescribed national noise level standard and the World Health Organization standard. The survey results show that automobiles and loudspeakers are the main sources of noise pollution. The survey also reflects that the female population is affected by noise from the neighborhood a little more than the male population. The major adverse impacts of noise include interference with communication and annoyance. Generally, a request to reduce or stop is favored by most of the respondents. Public education was found to be the most effective tool to control noise pollution. Therefore, the government should prioritize public awareness as well as a noise barrier to minimize the effect of noise pollution.

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Published

2022-12-27

How to Cite

Chand, P. ., Joshi, R., Maharjan, A. ., Joshi, P. ., & Joshi, S. . (2022). Sound level exposure in the residential and peace zones of Kathmandu valley and its effects on human health. Scientific Reports in Life Sciences, 3(4), 27–52. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7332209

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Vol. 3 No. 4 (2022): Scientific Reports in Life Sciences

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Original Article

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