By Augusta Uchediunor
On many occasions, researchers have drawn the attention of the public to the effects of noise pollution on human and animal health.
They note that medical research indicates that apart from damaging the eardrums, effects of noise pollution can result in headaches, aggressive behaviours, sleep disorders, emotional instability and fatigue.
According to them, excessive noise also has grievous effects on reproduction, development and learning ability in children, among others.
Observers, nonetheless, stress that although noise is often described as sound or noise that is not desired by the recipient, it is not viewed as such in some instances.
They argue that a sound or noise which one person finds pleasing, such as music, perhaps, can be irksome to another person.
They opine that the noise arising from a football match, for instance, cannot be said to be unpleasant to football fans, insisting that a football match conducted in silence will even be considered abnormal.
In their view, individual sensitivity to noise varies greatly and some people are not even bothered about the noise that can be intolerable to others.
Irrespective of arguments for or against noise pollution, medical experts warn that noise pollution constitutes a major threat to public health.
They note that movements of industrial machines, transportation activities, among others, are the major sources of most outdoor noise worldwide.
In recognition of the hazards of noise pollution on public health and its causes, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, declared Oct. 15, 2014 “Horn-Free-Day’’ in the state to create awareness.
Speaking on the importance of the day, the governor said that it was a programme aimed at sensitising the residents of the state to the dangers of noise pollution.
“There is a better way to live than indulging in noise pollution which has been found to be harmful to our health,’’ Fashola said.
Dr Gbenga Olosa, a public health specialist in Lagos, said: “Noise pollution occurs when there is excessive noise or unpleasant sound in an environment, thereby causing temporary disruption in the natural balance.
“The various causes of noise pollution include, shouting, industrialisation, poor urban planning, transportation, household activities, noise from generators, industrial machines and vehicles,’’ he said.
Olosa said that noise was also at its peak, especially during ceremonies, noting that even at home, noise making with television and radio sets were ear-piercing.
“You go outside, motorists honk the horns of their cars indiscriminately, conductors and commuters shout on top of their voices, this lifestyle is dangerous,’’ Olosa said.
In a perceptible response to this concern, Mr Kayode Opeifa, the Commissioner for Transport in Lagos, said objective of the day was to reduce noise pollution.
“The exercise will create awareness that horn misuse and abuse are dangerous to health and the environment.
“The horn-free trial follows similar noise-reduction initiatives around the world such as in Mumbai, India; and if it is successful, the event could take place every year,’’ Opeifa suggested.
Emphasising its effects, Dr Femi Ajayi, Public Health Consultant in Lagos, said that noise pollution had become a major concern in modern day living.
He commended the Lagos State Government for taking a step towards reducing noise poluution, particularly on Lagos roads.
“It is commendable, unnecessary honking can distract the driver, passenger or commuter and lead to accident.
“On a personal level, all of us can also contribute to reducing excessive noise in our environment by lowering voice levels when talking and lowering the volume of electronic sets.
“Public high-pitched music, unnecessary honking of horns by bus and car drivers, loud public advertorials and campaigns, should be limited or prohibited,’’ he said.
Ajayi said that there was also need to intensify awareness on the implications of noise pollution, noting that people need to be sensitised to the dangers of unwarranted noise.
But observers insist that noise pollution is rampant in most urban areas of Nigeria, including Lagos, citing the activities of religious houses as major cause of noise pollution in some cases.
Mrs Grace Nkem, a school teacher, said: “We wake up and sleep only as determined by the Church in our neighbourhood in Ogba, a suburb of Lagos.
“On ordinary days, the wailing and sobbing of church members meditating can wake up people from drug-induced sleep.
“Whenever they have a vigil –usually twice a month — even the dead may wake up due to the high volume of music and supplications that neighbours will have to cope with.’’
Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Ade Akanji, a resident of FESTAC Town in Lagos, said that the residents had to report a Mosque in the area to the appropriate authorities when all appeals to the leaders of the Mosque did not work.
“Some of us in the Mosque’s neighbourhood were forced to make an official report to the Lagos State Environment Protection Agency that came round to caution them’’, he said.
The initiative of Lagos State government to curb noise pollution in the state notwithstanding, observers note that about 60 per cent of motorists in Lagos metropolis complied with the directive on Horn-Free-Day.
However, some motorists claimed that they were not aware of the governor’s directive.
For instance, Mr Akeem Isikalu and Mr John Ideh, commercial bus operators, said that they were not aware of the initiative until they were told by their passengers.
“`I was already honking my horn as usual until some of my passengers said that l would be arrested for going against the state government’s directive,’’ Ideh said.
Mr Tiamiyu Oladele, a commercial motorcyclist, said it was difficult for many motorcycle and tricycle operators in Lagos to comply with the directive.
“This is because honking of horns is to alert other roads users that we are on the road because we are usually harassed by other vehicle owners who consider us as nuisance,’’ he said.
Mrs Ijebusoma Francis, a car owner, said that although it was a bit difficult for her to drive from her residence in Aguda to Ikeja, she complied with the directive.
“On some occasions, I would be tempted to honk the horn due to recklessness of other drivers but when I remember the directive, I would be patient and take caution, it is really a good initiative,’’ Francis said.
In his view, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), commended the initiative.
He said that if the initiative is sustained, it will reduce noise pollution, observing that honking of horns by some drivers could be deafening and confused other road users.
Irrespective of the attitude of the public to the directive, health experts advise the public to reduce the noise level in the environment and comply with any measures aimed at curbing it.
They warn that noise pollution can also cause epilepsy and cardiovascular diseases in some cases. (NANFeatures)
