On noise pollution due to firecrackers – More light, less sound

Source: This post on noise pollution due to firecrackers has been created based on the article “More light, less sound” published in The Hindu on 7^th November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation.

News: This article discusses India’s noise pollution regulations in light of the rising challenge of noise pollution in India, especially due to firecrackers.

What are the regulations regarding noise pollution?

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 under the Environment Protection Act 1986 mandate that firecrackers cannot be used in ‘silence zones’, and anywhere after 10 PM.

From 6AM to 10PM, firecracker noise cannot exceed 75 dB. The thresholds in commercial and residential areas are 65 dB and 55 dB, respectively.

The rules allow people to register a complaint if the noise overshoots by 10 dB during daytime. An increase of 10 dB implies a 10-fold increase in acoustic pressure.

What are the issues with loud noise?

Noise pollution is a public health crisis. Research has found links between loud environments and sleep disorders, stress, anxiety, hearing loss, and cardiac health.

More than 80 dB in offices has been associated with hypertension.

Above 50 dB at night, when the body is unaccustomed to loud noises, could increase cortisol levels (‘stress hormone’).

What are the causes of noise pollution?

1. Horn usage: Traffic noise has increased in cities where haphazard development has forced motorists to overuse horns.
2. Religious occasions: For instance, during Deepavali, firecrackers (even ‘green’ ones) routinely produce more than 90 dB of sound.

What are the issues with noise pollution regulation?

1. Demarcation of zones: Different loudness zones are also seldom publicly demarcated. Some places are both residential and commercial.
2. Ambiguity of rules: The rules are unclear about the sanctions to be meted out to offenders.
3. Lack of enforcement.

What should be done?

Governments must prevent the production of firecrackers.

Cities must improve public access to noise data and adopt noise mitigation targets.

In 2018, CSIR launched less harmful and less noisy ‘green’ crackers, whose use various statutory bodies have mandated.

Terminology used:

Silence zone: It is usually defined as areas around premises such as hospitals, educational institutions and courts. These are designated by State governments.

Question for practice:

Environmental pollution is negatively impacting the quality of life as well as public health in India. Discuss in light of the growing challenge of rising noise pollution in India.