Eight noise pollution monitoring units not enough

People becoming vulnerable to hypertension and high blood pressure

ISLAMABAD: The eight locations set up for measurement of noise pollution of vehicles in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are insufficient to meet the requirement, said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Dr Mohsina on Friday.

The maximum measurement were higher than the permissible limit of 85dB(A) of National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) for motor vehicle noise at 7.5 meters, she said.

She urged the public to be civilized while driving their vehicles on roads and avoid use of double horns, open silencers and other noise creating tools.



She said the daily maximum level of noise was 97dB(A) at Churr Chowk on Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi. However, the Bank Road in Sadar and Melody Road Aabpara Chowk were found less noisy locations, she added.

Dr Waseem Khawaja, a public health expert, said the noise pollution makes people more vulnerable to the dangerous diseases like hypertension and high blood pressure.



Trees plantation could help to create barrier for noise pollution and avoid the din from the residential areas, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2018.