Impact assessment of noise pollution in relation to damage on human in Sydney and the precarious noise pollution of Dhaka

Excessive noise causes if that exceeds the noise standard at compliance point set either by regulation, an environmental authorization or an approval. Mounting scientific evidences suggests potential serious mental and physical harms are created by the following major sources such as: Aircraft noise; Traffic noise; Noise from portable loud speakers; Construction noise; and Industrial noise. Excessive noise exposure on a regular basis will develop many indirect and direct health problems that will affect everyone (infants, children and adult) resulting various medical conditions. More damaging ones are: annoyance, sleep deprivation leading to insomnia; pregnancy and birth related problems; high blood pressure leading to cardiovascular diseases; and eventually it will cause mortality. Rampant use of Hydraulic horns on a daily basis at Dhaka city is leading Dhaka dwellers towards permanent deafness particularly the children, an unacceptable consequence therefore urgent measures are needed to ban hydraulic horns altogether. Strategies that will reduce noise generation effectively to maintain healthy living will include: Raising Community Awareness; Noise Inclusion in Academic Curriculum; Raising Media Participation; Government Sponsored Incentives; Sustainability Improvement and Of course Strict Enforcement of Smoke Regulation. In Sydney and in the western countries awareness is raising and overall noise trend is slowly declining but the accelerated traffic noise in the western world are the biggest causes of concern. It is reported that in Europe alone there are more than 50,000 deaths are taking place. European countries are increasingly adapting complete modal shift from private transport to public transport aimed to bring dual benefits - in one hand it will reduce acoustic contamination and on the other hand it will improve the environment by reducing air pollution. But in Dhaka the noise level is getting worse with the increasing number of Vehicles, Buses and big Lorries in the street 24 hours a day with increasing use of hydraulic horns in addition with increasing sound levels in every sector as country is going through economic boom. It is reported by UN that Bangladesh is on track to enter top 30 economies by 2030. While regulation and hefty fines is the best weapon to curb noise problem and there are many good regulations are in place but they still have limitations and loopholes which needs to be rectified including strict enforcement of the compliance of full forces of regulations. In addition community engagement through consultation and participation, encouragement and incentives and accompanied by effective structural changes are required to effectively reduce noise level to a healthy level amid development activities. In Bangladesh lack of education and ignorance is the main enemy. Introduction of traffic rules and the impact of noise on human health should be a mandatory part of schools and college education. Understanding of consequences of excessive noise by the drivers will definitely bring positive results.