To say that excessive levels of noise in Dhaka is a problem would be an understatement -- whether on the road or even in our homes, noise pollution in our capital is inescapable. While the sounds of perpetual construction work can be heard even in the confines of our homes, our noise pollution levels reach ungodly levels on our roads and highways.
According to a survey from less than two years ago, carried out by the Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, at least one in four people involved in various road-related occupations suffers from acute hearing problems. A majority of these cases can be attributed directly to car horns, especially hydraulic air horns which produce sound volumes which greatly exceed the levels considered tolerable by the human ear.
To this end, it is good to see dignitaries and political leaders in Barisal raising an alarm on the unchecked use of hydraulic air horns in Bangladesh as these horns pose a significant threat to human health and contribute greatly to our overall noise pollution issues.
Past studies have concluded that in many parts of Dhaka noise levels were as high as 120-130 decibels -- close to double the permissible limit for the human ear. Less than two years ago, the government had announced that the use of hydraulic air horns was to be made illegal, with the law being implemented by January 2023. What happened to that ban?
As a nation, we can no longer ignore the detrimental effects of noise pollution, especially given the frightening statistics which have already been established. Enforcement of the ban on hydraulic air horns would be a good first step towards a quieter, more pleasant Dhaka for us all.
According to a survey from less than two years ago, carried out by the Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, at least one in four people involved in various road-related occupations suffers from acute hearing problems. A majority of these cases can be attributed directly to car horns, especially hydraulic air horns which produce sound volumes which greatly exceed the levels considered tolerable by the human ear.
To this end, it is good to see dignitaries and political leaders in Barisal raising an alarm on the unchecked use of hydraulic air horns in Bangladesh as these horns pose a significant threat to human health and contribute greatly to our overall noise pollution issues.
Past studies have concluded that in many parts of Dhaka noise levels were as high as 120-130 decibels -- close to double the permissible limit for the human ear. Less than two years ago, the government had announced that the use of hydraulic air horns was to be made illegal, with the law being implemented by January 2023. What happened to that ban?
As a nation, we can no longer ignore the detrimental effects of noise pollution, especially given the frightening statistics which have already been established. Enforcement of the ban on hydraulic air horns would be a good first step towards a quieter, more pleasant Dhaka for us all.
