A Review of Environmental Noise Pollution and Impacts on Human Health in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

Abstract

Noise pollution refers to excessive, unwanted, or disruptive sound in the environment. It can originate from various sources,such as road traffic, air traffic, railways, construction, using loudspeakers, industrial operations, and even household appliances.The purpose of the study was to review noise pollution and its effects on human health in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. Most ofthe studies identified that the main source of noise pollution in the city is road traffic noise. The city is at a crossroads withprominent national as well as educational institutions like Rajshahi University, Rajshahi College, Varendra Museum, Bankof Padma River, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, BSCIC Industry, andnumerous other educational institutions. All studies showed that noise pollution levels higher than the recommended acceptablelimits were detected in various areas. Exposure to high levels of noise causes stress on human health, such as auditory, hearing,and nervous system damage, reducing productivity, insomnia, sexual impotency, respiratory, cardio-vascular, neurological, andouting damages, and limiting human life. It is recommended that affected sites develop a practical management approach forreducing noise pollution.

Keywords

• noise pollution
• environmental noise pollution
• human health
• mental health
• rajshahi city