Making common people aware about the negative impacts of excessive sound is the only way to reduce sound pollution in the country, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.
“As usual, there is an act in place to curb sound pollution in the country, but it is not properly implemented,” said Prof Dr Pran Gopal Datta, former vice-chancellor at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. “If we cannot make people aware of the effects of sound pollution, no law will have a significant impact.”
The event, the inception workshop of a project titled “Comprehensive and Participatory Project on Sound Pollution Control,” was held at LGRD Auditorium in the capital.
Referring to the excessive use of hydraulic horns in the capital city, Dr Datta, who is also a leading ear-nose-throat specialist in the country, said car owners and drivers have been using these horns in their vehicles for no specific reasons, when these horns create loud sound at a range that is not healthy for humans.
This issue could be easily resolved if automobile drivers were made aware of its effects via proper consultation, he said while addressing the workshop.
The Department of Environment has undertaken the project to comprehensively control sound pollution to spread awareness against the phenomenon among not only common people, but also among government agencies which are responsible for implementing the law, such as Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, local governments and traffic police, said Farid Ahmed, director of the project.
The project's deadline is in June 2017, he added.
According to the Department of Environment, Dhaka-dwellers are exposed to sound that is 13-40 decibels more than what is recommended.
Car horns, generators, sound systems set up for concerts and miking announcements, construction work, industries, trains and aeroplanes are considered to be major sources of sound pollution in the country.
According to the Sound Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, any machine used for construction work which creates loud – especially above 100 decibels – sound cannot be used within 500 metres of any residential area.
The recommended sound level for residential areas in the coutnry is 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.