Moradabad, in Uttar Pradesh, is the world’s second-most-noisy city, while Delhi and Kolkata are also on the UN’s list. This was revealed by the current Annual Frontier Report, 2022, issued by the United Nations Environment Program, Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad is the world’s second most noise polluted city (UNEP). Bangladesh’s Dhaka tops the list with a noise pollution level of 119 dB (Decibels), followed by Pakistan’s Islamabad at 105 dB and Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad at 114 dB. These all three cities are in South Asia.Â
Besides Moradabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Asansol, and Jaipur have also made a list, according to the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) Annual Frontier Report, 2022. Delhi, Kolkata, Asansol, and Jaipur are four more Indian cities that have made the list of 61 cities around the globe.
According to the survey, noise levels in Delhi are 83 decibels (dB), 89 decibels (dB) in Kolkata and Asansol, and 84 decibels (dB) in Jaipur. India has three of the top 15 most noise-polluted cities in the world.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the allowable noise level restrictions for outdoor residential areas are 55 dB, LAeq (equivalent continuous sound level is the sound level in decibels), and 70 dB LAeq for commercial and traffic areas.Â
The experts from the medical fraternity are concerned for that continuous exposure to noise exceeding 70 decibels might raise the chance of hearing loss.The research claims that “exposure to ambient noise sources such as road traffic, air traffic, trains, machinery, industry, and recreational activities has well-documented adverse effects on physical and mental well-being.”Â
However, the world’s quiet capitals include Jordan’s Irbid at 60 decibels, France’s Lyon at 69 decibels, Spain’s Madrid at 69 decibels, Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm at 70 decibels, and Serbia’s capital Belgrade at 70 decibels.Â
Another study reveals, “birds modified their singing behaviour in preparation for the morning rush hour by beginning to sing earlier at a site with considerable daily traffic” in Bogota.Â
In Hong Kong, two out of every five inhabitants get subjected to levels of road traffic noise that exceed the legal limit. It is deduced from studies undertaken that more than half of the people in major European cities live in areas where noise levels may harm their health and well-being.Â
Edited by Subbuthai Padma
Published by Iram Rizvi
