Analysis of noise pollution level in a University campus in South India

Noise comprises those sounds occurring around us that are not part of the environment under consideration. Noise is also a type of pollution and impacts on our health and wellness. The prevalence of noise is increasing in magnitude and severity because of growing population and urbanization. Noise pollution leads to many chronic and socially significant impacts. This study analyzes the level of noise at different points in SRM University. As the University encompasses a hospital also, it is more important to identify the sources of high noise levels and control them. As per Indian standards the desirable noise pollution for educational institutions and hospitals in daytime is 50 dbA. Noise levels were measured with a sound level meter at 19 points within the campus at three different timings (8–10 am, 12–2 pm, and 3–5 pm) over two cycles of measurements. The preliminary results show higher noise levels during morning and evening. Noise during Cycle 2 (latter half of semester) was 20% more compared to that of Cycle 1 (beginning of semester).


Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to make all peoples attain the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in the WHO Constitution as "[a] state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". By this broad definition that includes well-being, noise impacts can be clubbed as 'health' issues [1]. The word "noise" is derived from the Latin word "nausea," which means seasickness or a sensation of discomfort [2]. Noise comprises those sounds occurring around us that are not part of the environment under consideration. It is also a type of pollution and impacts on our health and wellness and the ability to do productive work. Sources of noise pollution include industries, traffic and vehicles, construction and domestic appliances. The effects of noise are both direct and indirect; they affect the health and make our living environment miserable [3][4][5].
Various measures have been taken and standards evolved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Indian standards IS: 4954-1968, limiting the noise levels for different types of areas. In order to legally enforce control on noise levels, the Government of India has notified the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Under these rules, ambient air quality standards with respect to noise have been specified for different types of areas. For residential areas, the day time noise should not exceed 55 dB(A) L eq as per these rules.
Universities, colleges, schools, libraries, national laboratories and hospitals come under Silent Zone. It may be mentioned that these are buildings that require on average quiet conditions but are also at the same time noise sources at certain times, for e.g. student movement in universities. In the first instance, efforts should be made to find a site that is situated in a comparatively quiet environment. At least the site should be away from the noisy roads, rail tracks, aerodromes etc choice, due attention shall need to be paid to the layout of the rooms and facilities. Adequate open space should be left between the building and the roads/noise source. The rooms shall be arranged to be farther away from the noise source, while other uni closer to it and in a manner to provide a noise shield to the class In this study, the noise level measurements were carried during January March-April 2015 to assess the noise generated in SRM University campus.

Study area
The study area is the University campus covering over 42 blocks. The campus consists of of Engineering and Technology, Faculty Humanities and Faculty of Management. It also houses the Medical College Hospital, Research Centre and Hostels. The hospital can accommodate 1200 in vast resources and an auditorium that can accommodate covered a few points at a radius of 5 km around the campus, includ

Methodology
A total of 24 sampling collection points March-April, 2015. Three timings capture the high noise events of student entry and exit and l to measure noise level within 24 minutes in a location for taking 1 reading, when noise level was consistent for 5 seconds. Reading was instantaneously tabulated. Five such sample readings were taken in each location.The sound level meter was used in slow response setting, which is ideal for educational institutions, and the instrument was used to record readings in dbA mode. The values obtained from sound level meter continuous noise level (Leq) is the period, the same energy as a fluctuating sound scale. It can be calculated using the formula instance, efforts should be made to find a site that is situated in a comparatively quiet environment. At least the site should be away from the noisy roads, rail tracks, aerodromes etc.Where there is no choice, due attention shall need to be paid to the layout of the rooms and facilities. Adequate open space should be left between the building and the roads/noise source. The rooms shall be arranged to be farther away from the noise source, while other unimportant rooms like gymnasium may be laid out closer to it and in a manner to provide a noise shield to the class-rooms and operation theatres. the noise level measurements were carried during January-February 2015 and sess the noise generated in SRM University campus.
The study area is the University campus covering over 42 blocks. The campus consists of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science an of Management. It also houses the Medical College Hospital, Research Centre . The hospital can accommodate 1200 in-patients. The University has a central library with vast resources and an auditorium that can accommodate over 4,000 people. The study area also a few points at a radius of 5 km around the campus, including the railway station ( Figure   Figure 1. Sampling locations A total of 24 sampling collection points was taken in two cycles of readings viz. January were chosen for the study: 8-10 am, 12-2 pm and 3 capture the high noise events of student entry and exit and lunch hour. The sound level meter was used to measure noise level within 24 minutes in a location for taking 1 reading, when noise level was consistent for 5 seconds. Reading was instantaneously tabulated. Five such sample readings were taken The sound level meter was used in slow response setting, which is ideal for educational institutions, and the instrument was used to record readings in dbA mode. The values obtained from sound level meter were converted to Leq values. The equival continuous noise level (Leq) is the "sound pressure level of a steady sound that has, over a given period, the same energy as a fluctuating sound" under study. It is an average and is measured in dB(A) be calculated using the formula [6] ә $ ˮD instance, efforts should be made to find a site that is situated in a comparatively quiet environment. At here there is no choice, due attention shall need to be paid to the layout of the rooms and facilities. Adequate open space should be left between the building and the roads/noise source. The rooms shall be arranged to mportant rooms like gymnasium may be laid out rooms and operation theatres.

February 2015 and
The study area is the University campus covering over 42 blocks. The campus consists of the Faculty of Science and of Management. It also houses the Medical College Hospital, Research Centre patients. The University has a central library with . The study area also the railway station ( Figure 1). January-February and 2 pm and 3-5 pm, to . The sound level meter was used to measure noise level within 24 minutes in a location for taking 1 reading, when noise level was consistent for 5 seconds. Reading was instantaneously tabulated. Five such sample readings were taken The sound level meter was used in slow response setting, which is ideal for converted to Leq values. The equivalent sound pressure level of a steady sound that has, over a given . It is an average and is measured in dB(A)

Results and discussion
This study analysed the noise levels in 24 stations. The various stations during three different   The problem here is the location of the campus right across both the railway track and NH45, leading to doubling of noise. The advantages of be intrusion of noise. The minimum value of 52dBA is noticed in Even this is above the permissible limit. Lunch hour seems to be a quiet time; probably because the noise shifts to the hostels and canteens not much difference between starting of the semester and end of the semester In the duration 8-10 am and 3 recorded in railway stations in Potheri and Guduvancherry due to students ( departing from the campus, respectively. Similar trends were observed by others levels in the stations are only slightly higher than that in the campus i lesser number of students in the stations. noise levels were recorded during morning and evening, corresponding to student entry and . Though the peaks are seen in the sampling locations outside the campus the permissible limit is not maintained in any of the stations. The peak value reaches around 106 dBA. Road traffic and presence of railway station is the reason behind the peak values. Yet, the permissible limit for train 1968 as The problem here is the location of the campus right across both the railway track and NH45, leading to doubling of noise. The advantages of being close to the station and bus stop are offset by the intrusion of noise. The minimum value of 52dBA is noticed in Station 12, which is the auditorium. Even this is above the permissible limit. Lunch hour seems to be a quiet time; probably because the ise shifts to the hostels and canteens (which were not measured). Comparing the two cycles, there is not much difference between starting of the semester and end of the semester, as seen in figures Comparison of L eq (8-10am) in two different cycles.
The noise levels are doubled in just a few locations. The maximum values are also noticed at Potheri, SRM Valliammai Gate and Guduvancherry Railway Station and West inside of Hospitals 3-5 pm (Figures 4 and 6), it is observed that maximum values were recorded in railway stations in Potheri and Guduvancherry due to students (～3000) arriving to and departing from the campus, respectively. Similar trends were observed by others [5, 8levels in the stations are only slightly higher than that in the campus in the afternoon, reflecting the of students in the stations.
, corresponding to student entry and . Though the peaks are seen in the sampling locations outside the campus the permissible limit is not maintained in any of the stations. The peak value reaches around 106 dBA. Road traffic the permissible limit for train 90 dB at 6 m, 77 dB at 150 m The problem here is the location of the campus right across both the railway track and NH45, ing close to the station and bus stop are offset by the tation 12, which is the auditorium. Even this is above the permissible limit. Lunch hour seems to be a quiet time; probably because the . Comparing the two cycles, there is , as seen in figures 4-6.
The noise levels are doubled in just a few locations. The maximum values are also noticed at Potheri, SRM Valliammai Gate and Guduvancherry Railway Station and West inside of Hospitals ), it is observed that maximum values were 3000) arriving to and -11]. The noise n the afternoon, reflecting the  The L eq for 8 h corresponding to the work day is also consistently above the permissible limit (Figure 7). There is also not much variation between the two cycles. The advantages of a University campus being near the railway station and/or highway are offset by the level of increase in noise caused by the same. When the University was established, it was a quiet zone with only a few trains plying through the day and the surrounding areas were empty. After 30 years, however, the University itself has grown by leaps and bounds. Residential buildings have mushroomed in Potheri. The stretch of NH45 on which the University lies has also exponentially grown, thereby leading to heavy and constant traffic. The population is increasing every year in the campus. All these are contributing to high noise levels such that the noise levels are higher than the permissible limits always during the day. This has to be brought down if the ill effects of noise pollution are to be prevented. The presence of a hospital within the campus also mandates low noise levels. Some measures to reduce the noise pollution include banning student vehicles within the college premises; planting more trees and sound barriers wherever possible; installing noise-absorbing fixtures in the classrooms; and sensitizing the campus community to the effects of noise pollution.