Noise Pollution In Africa

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Noise pollution has been one of environmental concerns as early as the inception of civilization when man was introduced to technology, which could use to obtain the basic necessities, to a modern development of complex technological. This has resulted to noise pollution from various anthropological activities especially in the city area. Over the past decades noise pollution has received increased attention and Studies has reported that noise pollution is one of the environmental hazard affecting human, the effects ranges from annoyance to difficulty in falling asleep, which latter leads to high blood pressure (WHO 2005; Ugwuanyi et al., 2005; Den Boer and Schroten 2007; Tetreault et al 2013 ). For example by World Health Organisation, WHO…show more content…
In developed countries, several noise pollution guidelines have been developed. In Europe for example, the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC (END) and European Environment Agency, (EEA 2011; 2014) are collective noise legislation urges the monitoring of the transport infrastructures, using specific noise indicators in the main European cities and, assessing the number of exposed people. In most developing countries, noise pollution has not been seen as a major public concern until recent decades. This is because of the ignorance about the treacherous effects of noise on both workers in industry and the general public. In Africa, urban environmental noise especially industrial noise is one of the increasing risk factors for hearing impairment. Many of these countries often lack both effective legislation against noise and programme to prevent noise pollution. Even in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa where these exist, they are often poorly enforced and implemented (Sonibare, 2004; Oyedepo, 2012). Interest in noise control studies is only recent in Nigeria. This interest may be attributed to the current development of guidelines and standards for environmental pollution by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA, 1991). It is envisaged that if proper monitoring and enforcement of the guidelines on acceptable noise exposure limits are carried out, a great deal of compliance on the part of the industrial establishments might be achieved. Unlike cities in developed countries, surprisingly, little studies have been carried out in sub-Saharan Africa which assessed spatial and temporal patterns in noise level and relate this to meteorological parameters. There is a need for examination of atmospheric air pollution and environmental noise, their relationship and how this could affect cities

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