Assessments and Control of Anthropogenic Noise Pollution in Students’ Residential Areas in Ogbomoso

Ajayeoba, A. O. · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/1202.70.0130

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Summary

This study addresses the prevalence and health impacts of anthropogenic noise pollution in student residential areas in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, and proposes a technological solution for its control. Motivated by the adverse effects of excessive noise—such as speech interference, reduced productivity, and potential hearing loss—the research aimed to assess noise sources in student hostels and develop a regulatory device to mitigate exposure. The authors highlight that while noise pollution is a recognized environmental threat, there is a paucity of information regarding its specific impact on student housing in developing nations, alongside a lack of adequate control measures in existing literature. The study employed a descriptive survey approach involving 1,250 undergraduate students across five residential zones. Data collection included questionnaires assessing demographics, perceived medical history, and identification of noise sources, as well as objective noise measurements. Sound levels were recorded using an Extech 407732 Sound Level Meter over a 12-week period, measuring equivalent continuous sound levels ($L_{eq}$) from various sources, including sound systems, generators, loud conversations, traffic, and grinding machines. Measurements were taken in both ventilated and unventilated rooms. Additionally, the researchers designed and tested a Sound Level Monitor and Control (SLMC) device utilizing a PIC16F88 microcontroller, an electret microphone, and an operational amplifier to detect and regulate noise levels. The results indicated that sound systems and generators were the primary sources of noise pollution, with 43.6% of respondents identifying sound systems as the major causal factor. Noise levels significantly exceeded regulatory thresholds; the minimum average sound level recorded was 62.84 dB, which is 14% above the 55 dB threshold recommended by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). The highest recorded levels occurred in Zone 1, reaching 102.55 dB when sound systems and generators were used simultaneously in ventilated rooms. Health assessments revealed that 6.4% of students reported long-term hearing problems, and 71.6% experienced discomfort from loud music. The developed SLMC device successfully monitored noise levels and issued a 15-second alarm when levels exceeded 55 dB, automatically disconnecting the power supply to the sound system if the volume was not reduced. The significance of this research lies in its empirical demonstration that student hostels in Ogbomoso suffer from hazardous noise levels that compromise student welfare and learning environments. By quantifying the exceedance of national safety standards, the study underscores the urgent need for noise regulation in residential academic settings. Furthermore, the successful development of the SLMC device offers a practical, automated intervention for controlling anthropogenic noise, providing a replicable model for mitigating environmental hazards in similar communal living spaces.

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• auditory warnings