Noise Pollution – Sources and Methods of Prevention for PE Exam Prep

Noise Pollution occurs when the sound level is not bearable by human beings. An engineer taking the PE Exam will be aware of the various sources of noise. The World Health Organization (WHO) has specified that 45dB is the acceptable sound level of human beings. Beyond that prescribed limit any sound is considered to be noise. Sound levels may increase due to increase in sound from traffic, television inside a home, and even pet making too much noise. When the noise affects you to a certain extent where you are physically and mentally not able to bear the sound anymore, then it is termed as noise pollution.

If the cities are not well planned then noise levels increase for residents. The buildings in a town, may be very close to each other and the parking spaces may be very small leading to congested parking. Very big families may be living in very small houses. Such living scenarios are more prone to noise.

Noise is also prevalent in social spaces such as party halls. People may play loud music that is hard on the ears of people in the surroundings. Construction of buildings may employ large machines for cutting and grinding that leads to a lot of noise. Road transport also causes noise pollution with the constant honking of horns. The PE Exam Prep covers the different types of noise that exist in society.

Factories are a major source of noise. There are various types of heavy machines in a factory such as generators, motors, and exhaust fans lead to a lot of noise. In order to manage this noise, workers at the factory usually use earplugs. With so many sources of noise, we need to look for ways to reduce and eliminate noise.

Ways to Reduce Noise Pollution

Soundproof rooms can be constructed in industry as well as homes that will filter the sound from the inmates or residents. There must be separate rooms for placing noisy machines and the rooms must be away from the living and working areas. If you have an air-conditioner in the room that is making too much of noise, then switch off the air-conditioner. The Professional Engineer Exam Prep Course helps in knowing the various methods of preventing noise pollution.

There must be a method of banning and controlling vehicles on the road that make too much noise. Noise making facilities such as factories, airports, and railway stations must be far away from residential areas. Planting trees helps in reducing the noise levels to a certain extent.

If a community hall or any other public facility is producing too much of noise, then check the local laws to find out how to handle the noise makers. Appropriate legal action can be taken if the noise makers make noise well beyond the stipulated time in a region.

There are some personal precautions that can be taken to keep noise at low levels. You can service your car regularly so that your car does not make too much of the noise. You can keep down your own music listening volumes, meditate, and bring in the quiet hours in your lifestyle. The PE Exam Prep Course guides an engineer to know about noise and its management. The PE Environmental syllabus laid down by NCEES has noise pollution as one of the topics.