Evaluation of noise levels in al najaf al ashraf streets iraq

International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),

ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 5, Issue 11, November (2014), pp. 11-24 © IAEME

11

EVALUATION OF NOISE LEVELS IN AL-NAJAF

AL-ASHRAF STREETS, IRAQ

Sabreen Lateef Al-Shauk

Department of Environmental Planning, College of Physical Planning,

University of Kufa , Iraq

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the levels of noise pollution in the some main and

secondary streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city for a period of 7 months, starting from February 2012

until October of the same year. Twenty five streets were selected for study and the measures were

conducted at three sites, at the beginning, middle and end of each street and compared the average

with allowable limits. Measurements are usually conducted during work time from 7:00am until

12:00 am. The study showed that the average of sound intensity for all study sites had exceeded the

limits permitted by the World Health Organization within a item commercial areas and

administrative center of the city for the period from 7:00 until 18:00 which was 55-65 dB, the

results showed that higher value of sound intensity during the study period was 79.3 dB in the Najaf

– Karbala main street while lower value for the sound intensity was 71.3 dB in the of Abu Taleb

district Street. This requires taking the necessary measures to reduce the problem of noise pollution

in the city because of its multiple negative effects.

Keywords: Noise Pollution, Lmax, Lmin, Leq, Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf.

INTRODUCTION

Noise pollution, a by-product of urbanization and industrialization, is now worldwide

recognized as a major problem for the quality of life in urban areas. The increase in the population

and in the number of circulating vehicles has led to an increase in noise pollution, but noise pollution

has been considered less than other contaminants in the environment (Mansouri et al. 2006).

In contrast to many other environmental problems, noise pollution continues to grow and is

accompanied by an increasing number of complaints from people exposed to the noise. The growth

in noisepollution is unsustainable because it involves direct, as well as cumulative, adverse health

effects. It also adversely affects future generations and has socio cultural, aesthetic and economic

effects (Yilmaz and Ozer 2005).

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)

ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print)

ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online)

Volume 5, Issue 11, November (2014), pp. 11-24

© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/Ijciet.asp

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12

The need for studies regarding urban noise pollution and its consequences on the

environmenthas motivated various researchers on the problemin several countries (Ugwuanyi et al.

2004; Zeid et al. 2000; Zheng 1996; Zannin et al. 2003).

Many researchers have reported that road trafficis the predominant and most generalized

noisesource in urban areas (Saadu et al. 1998; Bisio1996; Nelson 1998).

Noise pollution has been stated as a serious health hazard (Bies and Hansen, 1996), with

noise-related damageto humans ranging from annoyance to insanity and death (Mato and Mufuruki,

1999).

Maschke (1999) treated the impact of noise as a stress inductor, and statedthat induced stress

by noise has a psychosocial component.

Nelson (1987) reported that long term exposure to high occupational noise can result in

permanent hearingloss. Additionally, commonly experienced noise effects may include annoyance,

deterioration of sleep quality, and stress-related is chaemic heart disease (NHC, 1997; Morrell et al.,

1997).

Adverse effects due to exposure to noise may include interference with speech

communication and decreasing children’s learning skills (Mato and Mufuruki, 1999).

More recently, attempts have been made to estimate health and economic impactsdue to noise

pollution. Franssen et al. (2002) showed that significant portionof hypertension is attributed to

aircraft noise when they presented a comprehensiveapproach for assessing health consequences in

environmental impact assessmentdue to the noise resulting from the operation of Schiphol airport in

Amsterdam.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The study aims to:

1. Evaluate noise pollution at the streets of AL-Najaf Al-Ashraf city.

2. The relationship between noise and street width.

3. The relationship between noise and vehicles number during measurements.

SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution sources are divided on two main sections : ( natural sources , and human sources )

Natural sources

1 Thunder: It is a natural phenomena that occur at certain conditions and associated with the

occurrence of another phenomenon, in other words a voice of peal and explosion occurs in the

atmosphere as a result of very high electrical charge discharge. It may occur in different form and

generates a sense of fear and dread and panic for people, young and old.

2 Wind: the air that generate sound according to the speed at which it is moving and its intensity

occur banging and peal have tremendous negative impact on the ear.

(Shhata ,2008)

Human sources

Noise pollution derives from several sources, including street traffic, aircraft, railroads,

industry, construction, consumer products, and other sources.



13

• Street Traffic

Noise that is emitted by street traffic is generated by engines, exhaust systems, tires

interacting with the road, and horns. (Bugliarello, Alexandre, Barnes, & Wakstein, 1976)

• Aircraft Aircraft noise derives primarily from airplanes' propulsion systems and from aerodynamic

noise. (Raney &Cawthorn, 1979)

• Railroads Railroads, like street traffic, are a source of surface transportation noise. The majority of

noise emitted by trains is produced by the engines or by the interaction of the wheels with the track

.Other sources of noise in railroad systems include warning signals at crossings, whistles and horns,

freight classification yards, and railroad construction and maintenance equipment. Though railroad

noise is confined to areas near tracks and is thus less pervasive than street traffic, it still represents a

significant danger to human health (Lotz & Kurzweil, 1979)

• Industry There are four main categories of industrial activity that are particularly relevant to the study

of noise: product fabrication, product assembly, power generation, and processing. Noise is

generated in all of these activities, with the majority occurring at the lower end of the frequency

spectrum. While people around an industrial facility and the people within it are both affected by

industrial noise, it is the workers within the plant that generally bear the brunt of most of

it(Bugliarello, Alexandre, Barnes, & Wakstein, 1976).

• Construction Construction noise, a major source of noise pollution, is emitted by construction equipment,

which Leasure (1979) defines as "that equipment utilized at construction sites for the fabrication,

erection, modification, demolition, or removal of any structure or facility, including all related

activities such as clearing of land, site preparation, excavation, cleanup, and landscaping".

• Consumer Products Consumer products represent a wide range of noise-producing items, and Clark (1991)

divides them into four categories: recreational (e.g. guns, model airplanes, motorcycles,

snowmobiles, go carts, all-terrain vehicles, video arcades, and private planes), hobbies/workshop

(e.g. chain saws, power saws, shop vacuums, routers, lawn mowers, and snow blowers), household

(e.g. garbage disposals, food blenders, vacuum cleaners, washers and dryers, air conditioners, and

refrigerators), and music (e.g. personal stereos, rock concerts, symphony concerts, and home

stereos).

In addition to the sources of noise pollution discussed, there are several other sources, as

well, such as sirens, agricultural noise, military noise, and noise generated by humans themselves.

Since sirens are intended to convey urgent messages, it is necessary for them to be loud enough to

attract attention (Bugliarello et al.,1976).

IMPACT OF NOISE ON HUMAN

(1) It decreases the efficiency of a man: Regarding the impact of noise on human efficiency, there

are number of experiments which point out the fact that human efficiency increases with noise

reduction,thus human efficiency is related with noise.



14

(2) Lack of Concentration: For better quality of work there should be concentration but noise causes

lack of concentration. In large cities, mostly all the offices are on main road, the noise of traffic or

the loud speakers of different types of horns divert the attention of the people working in offices.

(3) Fatigue: Because of noise pollution, people cannot concentrate on their work. ,thus they have to

give their more time for completing the work and they feel tiring.

(4) Abortion is caused: There should be cool and calm atmosphere during the pregnancy,unpleasant

sounds make a lady of irritative nature.Sudden noise causes abortion in females.

(5) It causes Blood Pressure: Noise pollution causes certain diseases in human. It attacks on the

person’s peace of mind. The noises are recognized as major contributing factors in accelerating the

already existing tensions of modern living. The tensions result in certain disease like blood pressure

or mental illness etc.

(6)Temporary or Permanent Deafness: The effect of noise on audition is well recognized in

Mechanics, locomotive drivers, telephone operators etc.All have their hearing impairment as a result

of noise at the place of work.Physicist, physicians & psychologists are of the view that continued

exposure to noise level above 80 to 100 dB is unsafe. Loud noise causes temporary or permanent

deafness. Table(1) summarized the above impacts.

Table (1): shows the levels of sounds and effects on human (Jomaa, 2008)

Impacts Sound levels Levels

No.

causes pain to the auditory system anddangrous reflection on the

cardiovascular system and leads to an inability to distinguish sounds

and direction

Level higher

than 120 db 1

leads to decrease in the severity of hearing and disturbance of the

nervous system and the cardiovascular

Level between

90-110 db 2

have bad effects on the nervous system and leads to headache and

lack in ability to work and see the disturbing dreams

60-80 db

Level between 3

leads to adverse effects and reactions such as Anxiety and tension .

it affects the brain leading to discomfort and psychological

disturbance and lack of health harmony

Level between

40-50 db 4

NOISE MEASUREMENT

Noise intensity is measured using the measuring unit known as (dB Decibel) . This scale

starts from zero , as the sounds was extremely low to ( 130 ) ( dB) as the sounds causing pain . Bel

was a unit of measurement recorded by the sound device and are attributed to its explorer ,scientist

George (Bill) , uses the term " db " as a unit for measuring the intensity of the sound, for example, 0

dB is audible sound threshold , (10) dB represents the intensity of The rustle of the trees leaf, ( 90-

100 ) dB represents the intensity of the sound of thunder , ( 130 ) dB represents the threshold of pain

in humans , ( 140 ) dB represents the intensity of the sound of rocket launching into space. Sounds

usually divided into several degrees are: audible sounds - very quiet sounds - quiet sounds - Medium

Height sounds - too high sounds - irritating noises, and these recent sounds causing pain when it

reaches to (130) dB .(Arnaoot,2006). Noise is measured by a sound level meter; which is an

instrument which responds to sound in approximately the same way as the human ear and which



15

givesreproducible measurements of sound level (Mato, 1999). The equivalent continuous equal

energy level (Leq) is applied to fluctuating noise level. The Leq is defined as the constant noise level

that expends the same amount of energy as the fluctuating level over the same time period (Davis,

2004).

Description of Study Area

AL- Najaf Al-Ashraf city located between 44 19 longitude east and 31 59 latitude north.

According to administrative units, the city Alhaidariya in the north, city of Abu Sakhir from the

south -eastern and city of Kufa from the east. It located 160 km from capital Baghdad , 60 km, 78

km from babel and Karbala provinces respectively.

Limits of the study include all districts of AL- Najaf Al-Ashraf city, the actual range of

study involves the area that affected by noise pollution which represented by the major and

secondary streets in these districts.

Overview on the Entrances to the Main Roads of Al- Najaf Al-ashraf City and The impact of

Noise on Districts

The main ways described as the primary source from it another types of ways branched and

it considered as the basic to distribute the other ways such as secondary and rural, thus they have

high geometric properties. it consist from two separated lane: one to go and the second for return,

and every lane of which contains two passages. Main roads that connect the city with surrounded

cities include: Najaf-Karbala entrance (which characterized with high movement for all types of

vehicle) (30 vehicle per minuets) which make it large source of noise that affected surrounded

districts), Najaf-Diwaniya entrance (Pass through number of residential districts) and Najaf – kufa.

The maximum designed speed was (100-120) km/hr daily and (90-100) km/hr at night. In addition

that the ability of reach was high and can control on the vehicles that enter and leave.

Devices and programs used

1. Digital Sound Level Meter SVAN 955: measures the sound levels in decibels , Polish origin

2. GPS to take coordinates of the observation places.

3. Mobile radar device type (CE 0682viatcount ii) of the Company (via traffic control inggmbh)

to measure the number of automobiles.

4. Program (GIS) to draw and process maps and images.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The noise levels in (26) main and secondary streets in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city were

measured by taking three readings in each street for period starting from April 2012 until the end of

October 2012. The readings took during the official working days from (8-12) AM in order to

measure the highest level of noise pollution in the city because in this period the highest readings can

be recorded. Consequently, any action to reduce the pollution will be effective because it took into

account the highest levels. Three noise levels were recorded: maximum noise level (Lmax), minimun

noise level (Lmin) and equivilant noise level (Leq) Numbers of vehicles during duration of

measurement were also computed. The Lmax., Lmin. and Leq. Levels, streets width, class and

location shown in table(2):



16

Table (2): Lmin, Lmax, Leq, Number of Vehicles, Street Width at Streets Studied

NO Streets

Names Location

Street

Width

(m)

Street

Class

Lmin

(db)

Lmax

(db)

Leq

(db)

Numbers

of

Vehicles

NO Streets

Names Location

Street

Width

(m)

Street

Class

Lmin

(db)

Lmax

(db)

Leq

(db)

Numbers

of

Vehicles

1

Karbala -

Najaf

Street 1

Near

benzen

station

50 Main 71.0 91.7 78.8 946 40 Al Furat

Street 1

Near care

department 15 Secondary 61.5 88 78.8 946

2

Karbala -

Najaf

Street 2

Near kindy

hospital 50 Main 66.5 94.9 79.4 366 41

Al Furat

Street 2

Near the

Association

members of

the al najaf

board

15 Secondary 58.8 92.5 79.4 366

3

Karbala -

Najaf

Street 3

Near

alshaheed

alsader

district

50 Main 67.0 100.2 79.7 349 42 Al Furat

Street 3

Near

alkhafaji

showroom

15 Secondary 57.2 89.7 79.7 349

4

Najaf -

Abou

Sakhir

Street 1

Near

alsultan

hotel

30 Main 69.8 91.3 78.1 587 43 Al Adalah

Street 1

Near the

amusement

park

20 Secondary 62.3 99.6 78.1 587

5

Najaf -

Abou

Sakhir

Street 2

Near

technical

institue

30 Main 61.6 97.2 77.2 266 44 Al Adalah

Street 2

Near safaa

allahibi

complex

20 Secondary 59.2 87.2 77.2 266

6

Najaf -

Abou

Sakhir

Street 3

Near

ground

water

general

authrity

30 Main 64.5 96.7 81.1 165 45 Al Adalah

Street 3

Near

alrihab

services

20 Secondary 53.4 99.4 81.1 165

7

Najaf -

Kufa

Street 1

Near ibn

belal

hospital

15 Main 64.2 101.2 75.9 271 46

Salam- Al

Jameeah

Street 1

Near abo

hikmat

office

15 Secondary 58.8 93.2 75.9 271

8

Najaf -

Kufa

Street 2

Near

alwaeli

dairy shops

15 Main 64.0 91.6 76.2 315 47

Salam- Al

Jameeah

Street 2

Near

alsalam

brick shop

15 Secondary 57.2 101.2 76.2 315

9

Najaf -

Kufa

Street 3

Near alkufa

court 15 Main 65.3 93.3 76.2 277 48

Salam- Al

Jameeah

Street 3

Near street

end 15 Secondary 60.2 96.3 76.2 277

10

Salam -

Kufa

Street 1

Near the

vulnerable

Institution

20 Secondary 60.7 93.4 73.8 270 49 University

Street 1

Near

alzena

supermarket

20 Secondary 55.7 89.6 73.8 270

11

Salam -

Kufa

Street 2

Near jamal

shakir

butcher

20 Secondary 60.6 90.8 73.5 170 50 University

Street 2

Near

alnarjis

supermarket

20 Secondary 58.3 93.7 73.5 170

12

Salam -

Kufa

Street 3

Near

alshimali

garage

20 Secondary 58.5 91 72.5 209 51 University

Street 3

Near i-

phone

office for

mobile

20 Secondary 61.9 92.7 72.5 209

13

Maysan

district -

Kufa

Street 1

Near new

benzene

station

20 Main 63.1 88.7 75.7 206 52 Hawli

Street 1

Near

Gaseous

electricity

station

20 Main 56.1 97.6 75.7 206

14

Maysan

district -

Kufa

Street 2

Near alasad

shop for oil 20 Main 61.9 93.3 76 291 53

Hawli

Street 2

Near

cemetry 20 Main 53.7 103 76 291

15

Maysan

district -

Kufa

Street 3

Near

maysan

housing

complex

20 Main 62.3 90.5 74.8 314 54 Hawli

Street 3

Near sport

room 20 Main 56.0 89.1 74.8 314

16

Al

Jazeera

Street 1

Near

alwaeli

housing

complex

10 Main 53.0 87.7 70.1 278 55

Al

Madina

Street 1

Near babil

bank 15 Main 65.6 100.2 70.1 278

17

Al

Jazeera

Street 2

Near

alrafidain

shop

10 Main 56.91 92.4 70.7 197 56

Al

Madina

Street 2

Near bani

hashim

hotel

15 Main 60.5 96.2 70.7 197

18

Al

Jazeera

Street 3

Near

barakat

alhasan

sweets

10 Main 59.1 90.5 72.4 204 57

Al

Madina

Street 3

Near

alzahid

hotel

15 Main 59.9 91.1 72.4 204

19

Al

Muthanna

Street 1

Near wadi

alaqeek

hotel

20 Secondary 69.0 91.9 76.0 217 58

Al Imam

Ali Street

1

Near imam

ali bridge 20 Main 64.6 93 76.0 217

20

Al

Muthanna

Street 2

Near babil

bank 20 Secondary 68.7 95.5 76.6 136 59

Al Imam

Ali Street

2

Near check

point 20 Main 55.5 89.3 76.6 136

21

Al

Muthanna

Street 3

Near

alomaraa

pharmacy

20 Secondary 60.5 93.6 74.0 209 60 Al Soor

Street 1

Near altor

tourism

hotel

20 Main 68.1 100.1 74.0 209



17

NO Streets

Names Location

Street

Width

(m)

Street

Class

Lmin

(db)

Lmax

(db)

Leq

(db)

Numbers

of

Vehicles

NO Streets

Names Location

Street

Width

(m)

Street

Class

Lmin

(db)

Lmax

(db)

Leq

(db)

Numbers

of

Vehicles

22

Al Ansar

- Airport

Street 1

Near airport 15 Main 58.6 87.3 71.1 127 61 Al Soor

Street 2

Near zain

alaabidine

shrine

20 Main 58.4 90.4 71.1 127

23

Al Ansar

- Airport

Street 2

Near

alimamain

supermarket

15 Main 64.1 94.3 72.8 208 62 Al Soor

Street 3

Near banat

alhasan

shrine

20 Main 64.2 98 72.8 208

24

Al Ansar

- Airport

Street 3

Near faris

supermarket 15 Main 59.5 90.5 74.9 358 63

Al

Thawrah

District

Street 1

Near police

department 15 Secondary 60.5 106.4 74.9 358

25

Al -

Ghadeer

Street 1

Near

tanjrah hall 10 Secondary 61.6 94.1 77.0 294 64

Al

Thawrah

District

Street 2

Near

hanoon

garage

15 Secondary 57.2 99.9 77.0 294

26

Al -

Ghadeer

Street 2

Near

turkish beta

company

10 Secondary 60.3 94.7 75.1 284 65

Al

Thawrah

District

Street 3

Near car

garage 15 Secondary 58.2 96.9 75.1 284

27

Al -

Ghadeer

Street 3

Near asia

cell

company

10 Secondary 60.6 94.6 73.0 294 66

Al Rahma

District

Street 1

Near alsaid

alsader

shrine

20 Main 55.3 96 73.0 294

28 Al Eskan

Street 1

Near AL-

Najaf

traffic

directorate

20 Main 58.4 96.9 73.4 277 67

Al Rahma

District

Street 2

Near alsaid

alsader

bather

20 Main 50.7 89.8 73.4 277

29 Al Eskan

Street 2

Near

alzahraa

hospital

20 Main 65.1 90.9 74.5 278 68

Al Rahma

District

Street 3

cemetry

street end 20 Main 45.4 92.3 74.5 278

30 Al Eskan

Street 3

Near jaafar

altayar

mosque

20 Main 66.6 98.6 76.1 275 69

Abu Talib

District

Street 1

Near

alkhaima

resturant

20 Secondary 59.0 98.6 76.1 275

31

The

Second

Al -

Ghadeer

Street 1

Near

baneqia

supermarket

10 Secondary 52.8 89.5 73.5 221 70

Abu Talib

District

Street 2

Near

General

Automotive

Company

20 Secondary 57.4 94.3 73.5 221

32

The

Second

Al -

Ghadeer

Street 2

Near khair

alsafwa

company

10 Secondary 61.1 91 74 222 71

Abu Talib

District

Street 3

Near

barakat

alzahraa

spermarket

20 Secondary 57.3 89 74 222

33

The

Second

Al -

Ghadeer

Street 3

Near street

end 10 Secondary 52.4 91 72.4 125 72

Cemetry -

Benzen

Station

Street 1

Near street

start 15 Secondary 63.6 95.9 72.4 125

34 Rowan

Street 1

Near

alomaraa

pharmacy

40 Secondary 60.5 95.8 76.7 225 73

Cemetry -

Benzen

Station

Street 2

Near check

point 15 Secondary 59.0 97.2 76.7 225

35 Rowan

Street 2

Near babil

laboratory 40 Secondary 59.7 96 73.7 401 74

Cemetry -

Benzen

Station

Street 3

Near street

end 15 Secondary 66.6 96.1 73.7 401

36 Rowan

Street 3

Near

kadhum

jabbar

mosque

40 Secondary 55.0 91.7 72.2 400 75 Hanoon

Street 1

Near

popular

bathroom

15 Secondary 72.8 97.4 72.2 400

37

Al Amir

District

Street 1

Near iraqi

lawyers

union


Street 2

Nera alam

alsaid 15 Secondary 58.5 99.2 72.5 196

38

Al Amir

District

Street 2

Near

structural

complex


Street 3

Near maki

sewing 15 Secondary 62.6 95.9 74.7 277

39

Al Amir

District

Street 3

Alzahraa

hospital 20 Secondary 55.5 90.4 72.8 213

From the above table and fig (1) it is clear that average noise levels (Leq) were between

(67.47-81.1) dB and most of the other readings were between (70-80) dB. The highest level of

average noise levels (Leq) was at (Najaf - Abou Sakhir Street 3) due to the passage of large vehicles

from it.(map 1 shows the Leq. Noise level in study).



18

Fig (1): Average Noise Level (Leq) on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city

Map (1): Leq. Noise Levels in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city streets studied



19

It also notes that the highest level of noise Lmax was ( 106.4 ) dB fig (2) in the Al Thawrah

District Street 1 near police department because of the movement of vehicles, vendors and most of

other readings were higher than 90 dB

Fig (2): Max Noise Level (Lmax) on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city

The lowest level of the minimum noise level L(min) was ( 45.4 ) at the Al Rahma District

Street 3 near the end of the cemetry street because few cars passes from it in ordinary days , but

this value is changed during holidays and religious occasions because of the large number of visitors.

Most of the other readings ranged between ( 50-70 ) dB as shown in fig (3)

.

Fig (3): Min Noise Level (Lmin) on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city

Relationship between Noise Levels and Numbers of Vehicles and Streets Width

It was noted that the noise levels were not affected by the number of passing vehicles and

street width and this is something that draws attention. the highest numbers of vehicles were in

(Najaf – Karbala street, Al-Ghadeer street , Al Rawan street , Cemetry -Benzene Station Street ,

Maysan district Street and Najaf - Kufa Street), as shown in fig (4)& fig (5).

Fig (4): shows a comparison between the noise levels Lmax,Lmin& Leq with the number of

vehicles on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city



20

Fig (5): shows a comparison between the noise levels levels Lmax,Lmin& Leq with streets

width on the streets of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city

Comparison between Noise levels on the main and secondary streets

From table (2) and fig (6) it was noticed that the average noise levels Leq were not different

between the main and secondary streets while the max. and min. noise levels in secondary streets

slightly higher than it in main street. It was noticed also that Leq were high in the main entrance

of the city despite the breadth of the road and little number of vehicles and and buildings this

attributed to the movement of large vehicles from it such as in Hawli street and Najaf - Abou Sakhir

Fig (7): shows a comparison between Leq in main and secondary

Comparison of Noise Levels with WHO Limits

According to WHO limits for noise levels shown in table (3), the average noise levels (Leq)

in most of the streets of the city of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city were exceeded the limits that

mentioned previously especially at the commercial areas during the day time from 7 am until six

pm which its value between (55-65)db , thus its effects would be classified within third level

(table1) which have bad effects on the nervous system and leads to headache and lack in ability to

work and see the disturbing dreams.



21

TABLE (3): WHO LIMITS (KHALIL, 2010)

CONCLUSION

This study carried out to evaluate noise pollution in the Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf cityat different

streets by taken three readings in each street during peak time from 8 am to 12 pm since this

represent the official working hours and noise levels higher than other times .number of vehicles

were also obtained which represented the main source of noise during measuring time , the

following results has been reached:

1- The noise in the Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city was exist and certain due to main roads, garage , land

and air transportation, markets, streets and other sources.

2- Noise has clear effect on comfort, productivity, health and psychological aspects in levels

differs depending on source type, intensity, exposure duration and ability of human….etc.

3- Average noise levels (Leq) were between (67.47-81.1) dB and most of the other readings were

between (70-80) dB. The highest level of average noise levels (Leq) was at (Najaf -

AbouSakhir Street 3) due to the passage of large vehicles through it.

4- the highest level of noise Lmax was ( 106.4 ) dB in the Al Thawrah District Street 1 near

police department because of the movement of vehicles, vendors and most readings were

higher than 90 dB.

5- The lowest level of the minimum noise level L(min) was (45.4) at the Al Rahma District

Street 3 near the end of the cemetery street because few cars passing through it in ordinary

days, but this value is changed during holidays and religious occasions because of the large

number of visitors. Most of the readings ranged between (50-70) dB.

6- It was noted that the noise levels were not affected by the vehicles number passing and street

width.

7- In this study the streets which have high numbers of vehicles were (Najaf - Karbala street,

Al-Ghadeer street, Al Rawan street, Cemetery -Benzen Station Street, Maysan district Street

Najaf - Kufa Street),

Average daily

allowable sound

intensity db

Allowable limit of sound intensity

dB Type the area

night: from 10

pm until 7:00 Evening:from 6

pm until 10 pm at

Day: from 7:00

pm until 6 pm:

50-60 55-65 50-60 45-55 commercial and administrative Areas

at center of the city

45-55 50-60 45-55 40-50

Residential areas and some workshops

or business or on the road

40-50 45-55 40-50 35-45 Residential areas in city

35-45 40-50 35-45 30-40 Suburbs residential with a weak

movement

30-40 35-45 30-40 25-35 Rural residential areas, hospitals and

Gardens

55-65 60-70 55-65 50-60 Industrial areas and industrial places

ranges and heavy industries



22

8- It was noticed that the average noise levels Leq were not different between the main and

secondary streets while the max. and min. noise levels in secondary streets slightly higher than

it in main streets .

9- It was noticed that Leq were high in the main entrance of the city such as Hawli street and

Najaf - AbouSakhir despite the breadth of the road and few buildings and the little number of

vehicles and this attributed to the movement of large vehicles through it.

10- Average noise levels (Leq) at most of the streets have exceeded the limits of the World Health

Organization at the commercial areas during the day time from 7 am until six pm which its

value between (55-65)db, thus its effects classified within third level which have bad effects

on the nervous system and leads to headache and lack in ability to work and see the disturbing

dreams.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Noise control one of the dilemmas of modern life that threaten human health and comfort, it

requires a number of engineering, technical organizational, educational, administrative, legal

procedures can be summerized as:

1- Control the noise emitted from the industry and regulate sources of noise by placing noise

devices on insulation floors, or putting soundproof material in order to reduce the sound waves

from spreading outside,. It can also control noise sources by making some changes in the

engineering of machines and the workers who work in the factories with high noise level

should put silencers for their own safety.

2- Planning special sites for industry, crafts and industrial workshops, isolate machines in

factories and install it by following special engineering methods.

3- Activating the laws that governing the movement of different vehicles, and Tightening

sanctions on motorists whom their cars have defects in their engines or in the exhaust devices,

which issue annoying sounds during operation or movement as well as putting restrictions on

the use of alarm in different transportation means.

4- Issuing the necessary legislation and applying it strictly to prevent the use of vehicle alarms,

monitoring vehicle's engines and avoid using the annoying, prevent motorcycles that do not

contain silencers and work on the passage of large trucks on their own roads.

5- Develop a comprehensive traffic plans to ensure the flow of traffic as much as possible without

traffic jams which is one of the main causes of road noise by putting indicative signs for the

citizen in the obvious places of the city and allocation places for parking in commercial areas.

6- Prevent the use of amplifiers and recording devices on streets or cafes, and shops and legislate

laws that limit voice level for recording equipment, television and radio, which can disturb

neighborhood and legislation laws to protect the environment includes all the wrong behaviors

that fall from some citizens and identify deterrent penalties for perpetrators in order to make

sounds that emitted from sources be within the permissible limits.

7- Replanning the city and the roads and construction of buildings impermeable to soundby using

soundproof construction materials and techniques and taken into account in planning that sites

of residential area, schools and hospitals should be far from sources of noise with no licensing

for building factories and industrial workshops inside or close to neighborhoods residential

but it should be built in special industrial zones outside the city.

8- In planning and design of buildings sensitive to noise such as (hospitals, schools, public

libraries, etc) must be spaced from noise sources especially roads with high number of

vehicles, noise intensity must not be more than 40 db in schools and (30-35) db in hospitals



23

and it must be surrounded by sufficient array of trees because trees work as buffer to noise

since each array of trees reduces the intensity of the noise at a rate of 8 dB.

9- Increasing the cultivation of trees and green spaces on both sides of roads and in the medians

of these roads, large Attention should be given to Afforestation of the city and the

establishment of parks and increasing the green areas around houses, schools, hospitals, and

surrounding the cities with belts of green trees so as to absorb sounds and reduce the severity,

especially in too crowded neighborhoods.

10- Local authorities must encourage the citizens on the using of silencers generators instead of

ordinary generators that make high scattered sounds in all parts of the city and affecting nearby

residents.

11- Peddlers must be monitored and prevent them from behaviors that they practice that results in

Nuisance to citizens and provide places as markets in neighborhoods and in order to protect

citizens from noise during the announcement of the subversive contraband. In addition to

Putting tight restrictions for the use of horns in general and especially votes stimulant used in

trucks for sale gas (alarm antenna) as well as for Stautat with preventing their use near

hospitals and schools with tuning processions accompanying joys.

12- Publishing environmental awarness on the dangrous of noise by local, central, religious or

social authoruties.

13- Prepare suitable iraqi specification include allowable noise limits in collaboration with iraqi

environment ministry and environmental protection associations and monitoring the

application of standards listed.

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Issue 1, 2010, pp. 23 - 31, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6405, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6413.