Environmental Noise Pollution Monitoring And Impacts On Human Health In Dehradun City, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Noise pollution monitoring and environmental impacts on human health in Dehradun City of India are discussed. Major source of noise pollution includes transportation and frequent use of horn in vehicles. Dehradun is at a cross road and prominent national institutions like Survey of India, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Forest Research Institute, Indian Military Academy, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Central and State Government offices are changing Dehradun into a busy, economically active vibrant city. Noise pollution levels (50.70 – 82.54 dB) more than recommended permissible limits (30 -75 dB) are observed in the Survey Chock, Prince Chock, Saharanpur Chock, Gandhi Park and Clock Tower. Exposure to high level of noise cause stress on human health such as auditory, nervous system, insomnia, hearing loss, reducing efficiency, sexual impotency, cardio-vascular, respiratory, neurological damages and limiting the human life. The execution of an appropriate management strategy for limiting noise pollution on affected sites is recommended.

Keywords: Environmental monitoring, Noise pollution, Human health, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.