India՚s Noise Regulation Rules

Noise pollution is the propagation of noise with harmful impacts on the human activity or animal life occurring mainly due to human activities. Ambient noise levels have been increasing from various sources. like industrial activity, loudspeakers, music systems, noise from the vehicular, construction activities, firecrackers sounds, generator sets and other mechanical devices thereby affecting the human health psychological wellbeing of the people. Noise pollution does not get much attention from the policy makers unlike air pollution.

Provisions on Noise Pollution

  • There are various legal provisions to prosecute the noise makers, but there is no proper implementation of these provisions.
  • The section 2 (a) of Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981 had included noise in the definition for pollutants.
  • The Environment Protection Act, 1986 extends to the whole of India and it shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by

    notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different areas.

  • Noise pollution controlled rules were framed in 2000 under Environment Protection Act, 1996.

The Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rule 2000

The Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rule 2000
  • Noise pollution controlled by rules specifies the ambient standards for different places or different zones for permissible noise limits.
  • National Green Tribunal (NGT) given some directions to Central Pollution Control Board to take measures to control the noise pollution.
  • Categorisation of cities based on the noise profile and identifying the noise hotspots, Introduction of remedial plans for the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) .
  • NGT also gives directions for the police departments to procure sound monitoring devices.
  • Manufacturing of inbuilt noise metres and data loggers.
  • To implement the noise standards for different areas the state government has to categories areas into different zones like industrial, commercial, and residential and silence zones.
  • Silence zones are considered not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational, institutions.
  • State government will notify the Silence zones.
  • Restrictions on loudspeakers: In public places shall not be used above the permitted levels of noise.
  • A loudspeakers or sound producing instruments or any musical instruments or sound amplifier shall not use at night time that is from 10PM to 6AM except in closed premises like auditorium, conference rooms or public emergency.
  • The noise levels in public place shall not exceed 10db.
  • Restriction on the use of horns, sounds emitting constructions, equipment՚s and bursting of firecrackers at the Silence zones and night time.
  • Violation of rules shall be liable for penalty under the provisions of the act.
  • Violation of provisions regarding the restrictions imposed on night time can bring to the sight of authority; authority will take action against it.
  • Noise monitoring mechanisms were presented in many cities but they are not used in it proper way.
  • Proper monitoring and implementation is a biggest challenge in India.

Health Problems Due to Noise Pollution

Health Problems Due to Noise Pollution
  • Sound louder than 80dB will affect the hearing, breathing and thinking process of human.
  • It will show a direct impact on human health and productivity.
  • If the is noise is below 120dB it leads to biochemical cycle in human body.
  • It also leads to High Blood Pressure and cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risks.
  • According to WHO report 750 million dollars are spending globally on the hearing loss due to excessive noise.
  • It causes economic loss, resource loss and health loss.
  • Air Quality Index is an initiative of the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Mission.
  • It is a colour coded index which is a part of Government՚s mission to improve the culture of cleanliness and helps public to aware the quality of Air which they breathe.

Air Quality Index

  • Air Quality Index is an initiative of the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Mission.
  • It is a colour coded index which is a part of Government՚s mission to improve the culture of cleanliness and helps public to aware the quality of Air which they breathe.
Air Quality Index
  • It measures 8 major pollutants which include particulate matter PM10 and PM 2.5, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia and Lead.
  • AQI does not measure the Carbon Dioxide levels
  • There are six categories namely good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor and Severe.
  • Good (0 - 50) Satisfactory (51 - 100) Moderately Polluted (101 - 200) Poor (201 - 300) Very Poor (301 - 400) Severe (> 400)
Air Quality Index Particular Matter
  • For continuous air quality stations, AQI measures real time for many parameters for manual station AQI report with lag of one week.
  • Quality of air is different in different areas.

Air Quality Index Uses

  • Resource Allocation: allocation funds to assist and determining priorities, use the funds in air pollution control strategies.
  • Ranking of locations: Based on the concentration of air pollutants in a particular location cities can categorised.
  • Enforcement of standards: help in identifying faulty standards and inadequate monitoring programs.
  • Trend analysis: To determine changes in air quality, these changes occurred over a specified period, which enables forecasting of air quality tracking the behaviour of pollutants and plan pollution control measures according to it.
  • Public Information: aware the public about the pollution levels which will help them to take precautions.
  • It will modify the public daily activities.
  • Scientific Research: With the help of data from AQI, researchers can study some of the environmental phenomena like contribution of individual pollutants, sources to overall air quality pollution.
  • AQI is useful for general public to aware the quality of air in a simplified manner.
  • Decision makers to bring policies to curb the air pollution and know the trend of events for scientists who can engage in scientific research using air quality data concentration of pollutants.

What are PM10 and PM 2.5?

What Are PM10 and PM 2.5?
  • Particulate Matter PM 10 is the particulate matter is less than 10 microns in diameter and PM 2.5 is particulate matter of 2.5 microns in diameter.
  • Particulate Matter has the capability to penetrate deep into the lungs and blood stream and can cause cardiovascular, cerebral vascular and respiratory problems.
  • According to the WHO՚s international Agency for research on cancer (IARC) stated that the main cause for lung cancer is particulate matter.

Examrace Team at Aug 21, 2021