Research
Environmental Noise Pollution and Impact in Major Markets of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Environmental noise pollution and impact in some markets of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria have been carried out. The average maximum noise level of 90.4 dB(A), 85.2 dB(A) and 74.3dB(A), recorded in the mornings, afternoons and evenings constitute a health hazard for the vendors and buyers in these markets as they exceed the recommended standards. The average minimum values of 66.66, 63.7 and 60.0dB(A) were also recorded for mornings, afternoons and evenings. Reduced hearing acuity, speech intelligibility and clarity, communication disturbances and fatigue were some of the negative impacts on the market operators as acknowledged during the subjective assessment of the respondents. Lock-up shops which should serve as noise barriers should be provided in these market to replace the open market operations as this would reduce the emitted noise and the negative impacts.
Study of Noise Pollution During Pre-Carnival, Carnival and Post-Carnival Festivals in Calabar Municipality, Calabar, Cross River State, South a South Nigeria
Study of noise pollution during pre-carnival, carnival and post-carnival periods in Calabar Municipality has shown that the municipality is always highly polluted with noise from vehicles, facilities of transportation, drumming, trumpeting, shouts, knock-outs, firecrackers etc. during the carnival festival. Noise levels as high as 77.4 to 102.2 dB(A) which far exceed the 60 to 65dB(A) permissible out-door level have been recorded. Average noise levels of 94.9 dB(A) in the morning, 84.0 dB(A) in the afternoon and 96.1 dB(A) in the evening were obtained during the carnival period while 80.8, 75.9 and 83.1dB(A) , 80.7, 75.7 and 82.1dB(A) were average levels for morning, afternoon and evening of pre and post carnivals respectively. The lowest noise levels were in the afternoons when comparing these three investigating periods, 70.7 dB(A) at site 6 in pre-carnival, 77.4 dB(A) at site 10 in carnival and 70.5 dB(A) at site 6 at post-carnival and the number of vehicular and other human activities during the day time reduce tremendously. The citizenry who are made up of the youth, middle aged and the old stand the risk of endangering their health physically, psychologically or socially due to noise generated during this festival. The organisers of this festival are therefore advised not to look at the merriment and income generation aspect of this festival only but should also consider the damaging effect of noise on the well being of the people which includes temporary or permanent hearing loss. Alternative ways of organising the festival without excessive noise in the municipality should be sought for.
