Traffic Noise Pollution and Its Health Implications: A Case Study of Ambur Town, Tamil Nadu, India
Sugumaran.M.P *
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore Dt., India.
Lokesh R
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.
Bharathi Kumar.M *
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore Dt., India.
Kalaichelvi.K *
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore Dt., India.
Gayathry.G
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore Dt., India.
Natarajan. K
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore Dt., India.
Jayakumar.J
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Vridhachalam, Cuddalore Dt., India.
Kiruba.M
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU, Sandhiyur, Salem Dt., India.
Porkodi.G
Agricultural College & Research Institute, TNAU, Kudimiyanmalai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Noise pollution, an often overlooked environmental issue, significantly impacts human health and quality of life, especially in densely populated and traffic-congested urban areas. This study investigates the extent of traffic-induced noise pollution in Ambur town, a rapidly developing and congested region in Tamil Nadu, India. Sound level measurements were conducted at ten critical locations, including the bus stand, hospital, bypass road, market, railway station (inside and outside), theatre, school, and residential and industrial zones like Nethaji Nagar and Eureka Leather Factory. Noise levels were recorded during peak traffic hours in the morning (6:30–9:25 a.m.) and evening (5:30–9:25 p.m.) using a sound level meter for a period of 5-10 minutes at each location and the mean value was taken. The results revealed that evening noise levels were consistently higher than morning levels, with nearly 90% of the sites exceeding the ambient noise standards. The highest recorded level was 100 dB at the bypass area, while the lowest was 69 dB near Lakshmi Hospital. Vehicle horns, particularly from buses, trucks, and bikes, were identified as major noise sources. The study highlights the urgent need for noise mitigation strategies in Ambur, especially with increasing vehicular density. It also emphasizes the role of vegetation and green belts as natural barriers to reduce noise levels and improve the urban acoustic environment.
Keywords: Noise pollution, traffic noise, sound level meter, urban environment, health impacts, vehicle horns, ambient noise level