ASSESSMENT OF TRAFFIC NOISE POLLUTION IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT IN KERALA, INDIA

The rapid increase in traffic, vehicles, urbanization, and population has led to traffic noise pollution. The World Health Organization (2011) reported that more than one million people suffer from health problems every year due to traffic noise pollution. Hence, the current study is conducted to determine the level of traffic noise pollution in the silence zone of Malappuram Municipality, Kerala. For this study, one week of data was taken from morning (8am to 9am), afternoon (1pm to 2pm), and evening (5pm to 6pm) during the period between 28^th July and 3^rd August 2023. Continuous data for 1 hour from each session were collected at 5-minute intervals. The average maximum (Lmax) and minimum (Lmin) noise levels were expressed in decibel units, and the data were compared with the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) ambient noise requirements notified under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Besides, the total number of vehicles passing in a unit of time (one-hour period) from each session was counted and recorded. Results showed that the highest average noise level (85.2 dB) was recorded on Friday evening, and the lowest average noise level (65.5 dB) on Sunday morning. Both obtained values are higher than the permissible limit (50 dB) of the silence zone during the daytime by CPCB. Besides, the highest number of vehicles (3689) passed through the study area on Wednesday evening, while the lowest (1871) passed on Friday morning. The major factors governing traffic noise pollution are the air horns of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and ambulances, moving through the city.