Friday, December 27, 2013

Basic Facts On Environmental Noise Control

By Eugenia Dickerson


Noise can simply be described as unwanted or annoying sound. Significantly high noise levels negatively impact on the human population both emotionally and physically. A noisy environment is not only difficult to work in but poses a significant health risk as well. Persons that work in such environments need to undergo regular medical check-ups so that they can be screened for hearing impairment. The main purpose of environmental noise control is to make the acoustic environment better.

The management of this pollution is centered on architecture, urban planning, transport and occupational areas. Globally, aircraft and road traffic are the most stubborn sources of pollution. With the exception of electrical vehicle development, very little has been to abate road and aircraft air pollution. Recreational activities may affect people living in neighboring areas by generating amplified sounds and music. This poses a significant challenge in effective control strategies

There are various methods that may be employed indoors or outdoors depending on the source. The available potions can be used for walls, ceilings, floors or exterior walls. The type of material chosen is determined by, among other factors, the function of the structure. Theaters, recording studios and auditoria produce sound that can be easily absorbed by baffles. Sound masking is the active addition of other sounds that help minimise other unwanted sounds.

The planned introduction of hybrid vehicles is set to reduce the level of sound pollution in the streets. This, unfortunately, will take an extremely long time to be realised. It is estimated that at least half of the vehicles have to be replaced on the roads if the pollution is to be controlled. Other ways of controlling the problem include modification of tire tread designs and improving diesel stacks. Speed control is an additional measure that can be undertaken.

In the aircraft industry, getting rid of loud engine designs is one of the few measures put in place as a noise control strategy. A number of different flight restrictions are a great potential to improved acoustic environment. This may include preferred use of runways, time of day restrictions and departure flight path. The major setbacks however are flying inconvenience, flight economics and safety.

A variety of materials and finishes can be used to in acoustic walls and ceiling panels. The ideal panels are those that do not interfere with the substrate. To maximise absorption, fabric covers are incorporated. Windows to buildings can be modified in manner that controls sound movement. To prevent sound transmission from outside, thicker or double glazed windows may also be used.

In manufacturing industries, it is important to adopt designs that will produce the least amount of noise possible. Persons that are stationed in these places should have protective equipment and should be exposed to the environment only when necessary. Quality control departments should have their own quiet rooms where proper acoustics are fitted to keep away the disturbance.

A properly organised environmental noise control framework is required in virtually all public places. The methods chosen for this are variable but will fall in any of the following categories: vibration dumping, vibration isolation, absorption or sound isolation. In general, sound isolation is the use of barriers to impede transmission. Damping involves extraction of vibration energy from various media and dissipating it as heat.




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