Exposure Effect Study Of Traffic Noise On Roadside Shopkeepers In Surat City

摘要

The inconsistent and puzzling results in noise pollution exposure effects research on humans may partially be due to discrete differences between the individuals participating in different research studies. Following research, the article puts focus on noise exposure effects on roadside open shutter shopkeepers in busy commercial areas of Surat city, as they are directly exposed to traffic noise for more than 9 -10 hr daily. A total of 12 locations were selected for noise and traffic measurement. To study exposure effects, questionnaire survey in the form of the personal interview was done with 706 respondents. The equivalent noise level in the study area was 78 dBA due to high volume of traffic, which is very high and crosses governmental standard for a commercial area. Effect of environmental factors, like ambient temperature and humidity was also considered in the study. From the inter-view responses, it was concluded that people working in the study area are less or moderately affected by noise pollution as well as they are satisfied working in the same area. The reason, behind such a response, can be respondent's less awareness toward the effects of noise and their daily tasks which are low level or non-cogni-tive.