Farhan Chawdhury, a resident of Malibagh in the capital, was on his way home after purchasing some food from a takeaway. A deafening honk from a car startled him, causing his ears to become temporarily locked. For the next two days, he suffered from hearing issues, but fortunately, with the prescribed medication, he eventually recovered.
Adil (not real name), a student at Tejgaon College, recently admitted at the National Institute of Ear, Nose and Throat. A few days ago, while crossing the road at Farmgate, the deafening horn of a passing truck suddenly closed off his ears.
These incidents are just a few examples of a growing problem in Dhaka and other major cities. People of all ages are constantly startled by the blaring horns of vehicles when they venture out onto the noisy streets. It's particularly distressing for children and the elderly, who are the most affected.
Adding to this cacophony, electric horns have become a new issue in Dhaka and other major cities. These horns are commonly found on motorbikes and cars, often used impatiently by drivers, contributing to an already chaotic and noisy traffic environment. Surprisingly, there are no regulations or orders in place for electric horns, which can be even more hazardous than hydraulic horns.
Consequently, a significant portion of the population in big cities, especially in Dhaka, now faces the risk of hearing impairment, with the number of patients suffering from ear problems due to noise pollution steadily increasing.
Source of cacophony
Excessive honking has become a pervasive problem in recent times, leaving city residents exasperated by the constant noise pollution.
Professor Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, the dean of the Science Faculty at Stamford University Bangladesh and the founding chair of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, explains that noise pollution in urban areas arises from various sources, including vehicles, construction sites, industries, social, religious, and political events, as well as households. However, excessive honking by vehicles is the primary contributor, accounting for 50-60 per cent of the total noise pollution, compounding hearing challenges in urban environments.
The availability of electric horns in vehicle service shops further exacerbates the problem. These horns are imported and sold without hindrance due to vague regulations and minimal fines. Car service centres in places like Banglamotor, Shantinagar, and Mohakhali openly sell electric horns, with prices ranging from Tk 800 to Tk 5,000, depending on the sound quality.
Additionally, there is no reliable way for consumers to determine the actual sound level of these horns, even if a specific decibel rating is printed on the packaging. Even if 60 dB is written on the packet, there is no way to know the actual sound level.
What doctors say
Noise pollution has significant and long-term effects on both physical and emotional health.
Md Zakaria Sarkar, the director of the National Institute of Ear, Nose, and Throat, warns that many people are unknowingly becoming deaf due to noise pollution.
He reveals that one-third of traffic police personnel in Dhaka suffer from long-term hearing problems as a result of excessive honking.
One study even found that the horn is blown 1,012 times in just one minute in places like Shyamoli, the capital's busy area.
The increased noise pollution not only leads to hearing problems but also contributes to hypertension, high blood pressure, headaches, depression, boredom, and various other health issues.
Ineffective legislations
Existing laws do little to deter the use of loud horns. Section 139 of The Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1988 imposes a fine of Tk 100 for using a prohibited horn or hydraulic horn, but these laws are outdated as most horns used nowadays are electric.
Section 18 of The Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 dictates that producing noise pollution without authorisation is punishable, with a first-time offender facing a maximum penalty of one month's imprisonment, a fine of Tk 5,000, or both. Repeat offenders could face up to six months in prison, a fine of Tk 10,000, or both. However, enforcement remains a significant challenge.
The Import Policy Order 2015-2018 banned the import of horns with a decibel rating above 75 dB to control noise pollution, but electric horns used on motorbikes and cars are often much louder and somehow evade regulations, posing a greater hazard than hydraulic horns.
The sub-section 6 of section 45 of the Road Transport Act 2018, makes it mandatory to follow the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1995 and the rules made there under.
And Section 88 of the Road Transport Act 2018 defines a violation of its Section 45 as an offence, punishable by up to 3 months in prison or a fine not exceeding TK 10,000, or both. However, the implementation of these laws remains questionable.
What can be done?
Environmental and health experts emphasise that beyond legal measures, the most critical task in tackling noise pollution is to address its sources.
The Department of Environment (DoE) has initiated a social awareness campaign called the 'Integrated and Partnership Project on Noise Pollution Control,' which includes television commercials, radio broadcasts, electronic and print media, SMS messages, leaflets, and other communication tools.
However, this awareness campaign alone may not be sufficient unless the government takes concrete steps to identify and mitigate the root causes of the problem.
The DoE recommends reforms in The Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1988, to provide clearer definitions of prohibited horns and impose more substantial penalties. Additionally, strict enforcement of the Import Policy Order 2015-2018 could help curb the use of excessively loud horns.
Above all, there is a need for better coordination among various authorities, including the Ministry of Information, DoE, Traffic Division of DMP, BRTA, the two city corporations, and the Deputy Commissioner's office, to enforce the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006 effectively.
Professor Kamruzzaman suggests that alongside social awareness campaigns, improved road discipline, strict action against banned hydraulic horns, and a reform of existing Noise Pollution (Control) Rules from 2006 could collectively contribute to reducing noise pollution to some extent.
The scenario
NIENT Director Zakaria Sarkar reports that a study has found that approximately 0.9 per cent of the total population, or 15.28 lakh people, are directly or indirectly affected by sound pollution. Shockingly, every year, 2,500 children are born deaf, and 2,600 previously healthy individuals lose their hearing due to noise pollution.
According to the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 and the Environment Conservation Act 1995, the acceptable sound limit in silent areas is 50 dB during the day and 40 dB at night. However, the reality differs significantly.
A survey conducted by the Department of Environment in 2018 revealed that the noise levels in Dhaka city are two to three times higher than the acceptable thresholds in nearly all areas.
For instance, in residential areas, the limits were set at 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night, with hospitals, educational institutions, and office zones designated as silent zones. However, these guidelines are often disregarded.
Among the survey's 70 locations in Dhaka city, Farmgate intersection recorded the highest noise level at 135.6 dB, while Road 18 of Uttara Sector-14 had the lowest reading at 100.8 dB, double the defined limit.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the safe sound limit is 45 decibels (dB), with levels exceeding 65 dB potentially causing heart disease, over 90 dB leading to hearing problems and nervous system changes, and over 120 dB causing pain and hearing impairment.
According to a recent report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) titled 'Frontiers 2022: Noise, Blazes, and Mismatches,' Dhaka ranks as the world's number one city for noise pollution, with a staggering 119 dB, followed by Moradabad in India at 114 dB and Islamabad in Pakistan at 105 dB.
This alarming data underscores the urgent need to address noise pollution before we reach the precipice of widespread deafness.
