Influence of environmental factors and its associated health risks of noise pollution in Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria

Mbaegbu Nnamdi  O; Oparaocha Evangeline  T; Ede Alison  O; Zubair Abdulkarim  I; Odupute Colman  N; Nwolisa  Emeka; Nwakwuo Geoffrey  C; Opara Emmanuel  C; Akpelu Ugochinyere  A; Aronu Cecilia  N; Obasi Kalu  O; Nwazunku Augustine  A; Ilo Clementine I

doi:10.30574/gscarr.2021.8.1.0136

Authors

Mbaegbu Nnamdi O Surveillance and Epidemiology Department, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria.
Oparaocha Evangeline T Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Ede Alison O Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnewi Campus, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Zubair Abdulkarim I Department of Drug development and Research, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
Odupute Colman N Department of Radiology, Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Dekina, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Nwolisa Emeka Paediatrics Department, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Nwakwuo Geoffrey C House of Renaissance for Health Initiative, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria.
Opara Emmanuel C Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Amaigbo, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Akpelu Ugochinyere A Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Amaigbo, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Aronu Cecilia N Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnewi Campus, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Obasi Kalu O Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Nwazunku Augustine A Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnewi Campus, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ilo Clementine I Department of Nursing Science. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2021.8.1.0136

Keywords:

Decibel (dB), Environmental factors, Health Risks, Noise, Pollution, Metropolis, Sound Meter

Abstract

Noise pollution contributes to environmental degradation and poses a threat to human and terrestrial lives. Noise pollution can be regarded as environmental noise and the propagation of noise may develop a harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. This study was conducted to determine the influence of environmental factors and its associated health risks of noise pollution in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria. The study employed a cross sectional descriptive research design. Measurement of noise levels was carried out at 24 different locations. The sampling technique used in this study was a cluster sampling technique. The average reading for each location and each ward were calculated. Also, 900 respondents comprising adults who live and/or operate in the areas were interviewed on the health risks associated with noise, using structured and standardized questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the computed average noise level at the 24 different locations ranged from 79.4 – 95.8dB, and all of which were significantly (P<0.05) above the acceptable standard ranges of <80dB, thereby rating the noise level not acceptable because they can be capable of causing discomfort and pains in man. Influence of environmental factors on noise pollution; 29(3.2%) reported heavy vehicular traffic plying residential areas contributed to noise generation, 33(3.7%) said indiscriminate blowing of siren. Perceived health risks were reported as 47(5.2%) disturbs sleep, 24(2.7%) causes annoyance, 41(4.61%) causes headache and 21(2.3%) interference with conversation. In conclusion, environmental factors, poor education and lack of enforcement of the laws influence noise generation and there is need to check the level of noise pollution in Owerri Metropolis.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Park K. Park’s textbook of preventive and social medicine (20thed.), Jabalpur, India: M/S Banarside Bhanot. 2009; 648-650.

Mbaegbu NO, Ede AO, Oparaocha R, Orji SM, Opara EC, Akpelu AU, Abonyi IC, Ilo CI, Nwankwo CJ, Aronu CN. Assessment of noise pollution and its perceived health risks on residents of Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. 2021; 10(02): 146–156.

Uslu CA. study on Noise Pollution in Adene city centre Adana, Cukurova Univ., National Science Institution. 1995. Landscape Architecture Department Thesis.

Rains J, Alba J, Garcia D, Hernandoz F. Noise effects of reducing traffic flow through an environmental control measure. Spanish City, Spain Appl. Acoust.2003; 64(3): 343-364.

Morata TC, Suggested Guidelines to study the Combine Effects of Occupation Exposure to Noise and Chemical on hearing. National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health, 4676. Columbia: Parkway/C27 Cincinate, OH. 2000.

Casey JA. James, P & Morello-Forsch, R. Urban noise pollution is worst in poor and minority neighborhoods and segregated cities". PBS. 2017.

CHS. Canadian Hearing Society: Hear to Stay Make Noise about Noise file:/// E: Paper %20% noise htm. 2003.

Ezekiel, C. J. Evaluation and analysis of environment noise pollution in the city of Erzuru, Turkey, Int. Journal of Environmental pollution. 1999; 23(4): 438-448.

Sisman, E.E. and Unver, E. Evaluation of traffic noise pollution in Corlu, Turkey: Scientific Research and Essay. 2011;6(14), 3027-3033.

Schomer P. A White Paper Assessment of Noise, Annoyance, Schomer and Associate Inc Campaign. 2001; II 61821.

Amadi AN. ABC of environment health. Owerri: Readon.Publishers.2011;391-405

EPA/QRW. Noise pollution. http: www.epa.gov.au/publication-noise %20 pollution. 2005.

Anomohanran, O. and Osemeikhian, J.E.A. Day and night noise pollution study in some major towns in Delta State, Nigeria. Ghana Journal of Science. 2006; 46:47-54.

WHO. Guidelines for Community Noise. Executive Summary, http:/www.ruidos.org./Noise/WHO-noise-Com/volumes/vold 114, 1999

Nadakavukaren A. Our global environment: A health perspective. Illinous: Waveland Press 4thed.1995; 327-365.

EPA/VIC. Residential Noise in Victoria. Asp. 2006.

Ozer S, Irmak MA, Hasan Y. Determination of roadside noise rduction effectiveness of Pinus Sylvester L. and populusnigra L. in Erzurum. Turkey: Environment Mont Assess.2008; 144:191-197.

World Health Organization. Burden of disease from environmental noise. Geneva: WHO. 2011.

Alam JB, Alam MM, Rahman Ak, Dikshit SK, Khan SK. Study on traffic noise level of Syllet by multiple regression analysis associated with health hazard. Iran Journal of Envinon. Health Sci. Eng.2006; 3(2): 71-78.

Koenigsberger O. Manual of tropical housing and building, part 1, climatic design. Bombay: Orient Longman. 1973; 8-12.

Heerwagen, D. Passive and active environmental control: informing the schematic designing of buildings. New York: The McGram-Hill. 2004; 501-502.

Alberola J, Flindell H,Bullmore J. Variability in road traffic noise level. European Commission Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC off J European Communalities. 2005; 189: 12-25.

Lebiedowska B. Aconstic background and transport noise in urbanized areas: A note on the relative classification of the city soundseape. Trans. Resi Part D: transport and environment. 2005; 10(4): 341-345.

Olayinka OS,Abdullahi SA. A statistical Analysis of the Day Time and Night Time Noise levels in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria. Trands in Applied Sciences Research.2008; 3(3): 253-266.

WHO. Health and Environmental Impact Assessment. British Medical Association. 1994.

WHO. Occupational and community noise WHO publication, WHO-OHS www.arpapress.2/URAS-14-2-24guidelines-summary-htn Pdf. 2005.

Anomohanran O. Evaluation of Environmental Noise Pollution in Abuja, the Capital City of Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences. 2013; 14(2):470–476.