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Short note: Noise and its effects

Short answer

Noise is unwanted sound measured in decibels, with common sources like traffic, industry, and loudspeakers. Effects include hearing loss above 85 dB, high blood pressure, stress, sleep disturbance, reduced efficiency, speech interference, structural damage, and lower property value. Control uses barriers, insulation, absorption, silencers, and legal limits.

Write a short note on noise and its effects.

Noise is unwanted or disturbing sound. It is measured in decibels (dB); for example, a quiet room is about 30 dB, normal talk 60 dB, heavy traffic 80 to 90 dB, and a jet engine 120 dB or more.

Sources

Road, rail and air traffic; industry and construction machines; generators; loudspeakers and crowds; neighbours and domestic appliances.

Effects of noise

  1. Hearing loss: Temporary or permanent damage from long exposure over about 85 dB.
  2. Physiological effects: High blood pressure, rapid heart rate, tiredness and headache.
  3. Psychological effects: Stress, irritation, anger, anxiety and loss of concentration.
  4. Sleep disturbance: Poor sleep, less rest.
  5. Reduced efficiency at work and study, and mistakes or accidents.
  6. Speech interference: Poor communication.
  7. Social and economic effects: Reduced property value and loss of privacy.
  8. Structural effects: Intense noise and vibration may crack glass and weak parts.

Control

Site planning with distance and barriers, sound-insulated construction, absorption in rooms, silencers, and law limits on noise. The Nepal Environment Protection Rules set standards for noise levels.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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