Evaluating the Extent and Potential Effects of Community Noise

Abstract

Nairobi City is increasingly being affected by noise from the growing entertainment, commercial, religious, transportation and communication activities. However, unlike other types of pollution such air and water pollution, less attention has been given to the noise problem and noise data is generally missing in Kenya. This study sought to investigate the extent and effects of community noise pollution in Nairobi City, with focus on six key areas prone to noise: inside public service vehicles, bus stations, roads, commercial places, places of worship (churches) and places of entertainment. Noise measurements were taken using a digital integrating sound level meter from selected locations at the six sites, all of which were found to significantly exceed the corresponding legislated and/or protective noise limits. Using multiple regression analysis in SPSS 20 environment, the measured road traffic noise levels were used to generate a model for predicting traffic noise levels based on traffic volume, traffic composition and traffic speed. The regression indicated that these three variables were sufficient to describe noise pollution emitted by road traffic (R2=0.783); and that temperature and relative humidity had no significant effects; and thus were eliminated from the final model. Alongside the noise measurements, a questionnaire survey was administered across the various stations, except bus stations and along the roads, to assess the effects of and public reaction to noise. The survey established that Nairobi residents are mainly at risk of suffering noise-related hearing loss, communication interference and headaches. From the study, it was evident that there is poor enforcement of noise regulations in Nairobi and that the existing law is inadequate to control noise pollution as some of its provisions are unrealistic. Thus, law enforcement agencies should not only intensify enforcement, but the existing law should be relooked against its ability to control noise. This should come alongside increased awareness of noise and it impacts amongst the public as well as undertaking further research to better understand and manage the noise menace.