The present civilization leads us to sophisticated ways of living but at the cost of some health hazards. The ongoing march of the modern civilization contributes to increasing sound pollution. In the wilderness, a typical sound level would be 35 decibels. Speech runs 65 to 70 decibels, heavy traffic generates 90 decibels. By 140 decibels, sound becomes painful to the human ear, but ill-effects, including hearing loss, set in at much lower levels. Most noise pollution is caused by machines, especially automobiles, trucks and aircraft. Construction equipment, farm machines, and the din of machinery inside factories can be dangerously loud. Some home appliances, shop tools, lawnmowers and leaf blowers can also be noisy as are guns, firecrackers and some toys. Even music when played at very high volume, particularly through personal headphones is as damaging to the ears as a roaring chain saw. Hearing loss can also occur in the workplace, where individuals may be unable to avoid loud sounds and where exposure may continue for years. Factory workers, construction workers, farmers, military personnel, police officers, firefighters and musicians all have reason to be concerned about their occupational exposure to noise.
The most significant health problem caused by noise pollution is hearing loss. Any noise appreciably louder than talking can damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea, the structure in the inner ear that converts sound waves into auditory nerve signals. The initial damage to the cochlea may be temporary, but with repeated exposure, the damage becomes permanent. Loud noise deafens quickly-extremely loud sounds, such as gunshots at close range, can cause immediate hearing loss. But even sound levels of only 85 decibels will cause some hearing loss after prolonged exposure. Damage to the ear can also cause tinnitus.
In the industrialized nations, governments have laws and police to counter noise pollution. In the United States at least six federal agencies are involved in controlling noise pollution. Since 1969 the Federal Aviation Administration has monitored and controlled noise from airplanes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration are charged with reducing noise in workplaces. In 1972 Congress passed a Noise Control Act establishing an Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the Environmental Protection Agency. The Office conducted research, coordinated the work of other agencies, and directly set noise standards for trucks, motorcycles, air compressors, truck-mounted garbage compactors and railroads. More standards would have followed but in 1981 Congress cut off funding for this effort.
In developing countries too, some measures have been taken. Recently the Sri Lankan Central Environmental Authority drafted plans to curb community sound pollution because it is considered a serious health hazard. Judging from articles and letters published in Sinhalese newspapers, many people who are disturbed by loudspeaker noise are looking forward to this plan to taking effect. The authors of the letters and articles complain about a variety of loud sounds produced by the loudspeakers of religious institutions.
Noise pollution happens due to rampant use of loudspeakers. Religious institutions of any kind, all attempting to assert their importance over others, are known to be noisy-a famous German statesman once remarked the church bells are the artillery of the Christian clergy. The Buddhist newcomers though, having learned the original Buddhist teachings, expect Buddhist monasteries to be very quiet places but reality is often otherwise. The deliberate sound pollution caused by Buddhists appear to be in strict contradiction to the Buddhist' own examples and teachings. There are many instances in the Buddhist scriptures that indicate Buddha and his disciples were lovers of quiet and peace. The loudspeaker was only invented in the 20th century and there is no indication that Buddhists' faith has been strengthened because of its use. On the contrary, making loud noise is antithetical to their faith. It does not lead to inspiring faith in those who have no faith and to the increase in those who have faith, which are the reasons for the Buddha laying down disciplinary rules. The Muslims also invite the devotees to mosque through 'azaan'. The city of Dhaka sees a mosque in every nook and corner. Five times a day the mosques invite devotees through loud microphones and speakers. Sometimes it seems unnecessary to invite so loudly as the invitation is heard from several mosques at a time. In this case, each mosque can invite the devotees without using so many speakers/mics. One or two is enough. All the mosques can announce the azaan within five or ten minutes. In Egypt it has been done. What happens now is that hundreds of mosques seemingly continue announcing azaans for more than half an hour. The devotees who are engaged in 'tablig' don't use mike or speakers for the invitation. They hold the idea that during the advent of Islam, as 'azaan' was performed orally, now the same situation will continue. It has a merit. Ours is Muslim majority country and religion is very much a sensitive issue. Any decision regarding religious issues may invite severe reaction. This is why no government takes any decision. In this regard, the religious thinkers and researchers may give some decision considering the fact that a very small area of Dhaka city has been too densely populated contributing to serious sound pollution. Many of these cannot be minimized let alone stopped. But some religious ways can be rethought particularly the points which contribute to health problem. When many mosques announce 'azan' through huge loud speakers, it happens not in one or two mosques, hundreds of mosques the sound is huge volume the heart patients and children living close to the mosques become greatly affected. Muazzins (inviters) can do it without getting so close to the mike. Some mosques announce 'azan' with smooth and melodious sound. Whereas, some mosques announce it with shrill sound. The religious scholars may give a reasonable and tangible solution to it. The Hindu religious festivals also create serious pollution. The original religious rituals may not have any connection with it. The religious leaders and researchers should give a serious thought to the point and help develop a sound pollution free society. The use of loudspeakers in the public meetings, announcement and social functions must be seriously controlled very effectively .by the state machinery. The hydraulic horns must be banned and films and short films reflecting the menace caused by loud sound should be shown everywhere so that people can become really conscious of the menace. (The writer is Senior Manager, BRAC Education Programme) |
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