This article provides notes on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of noise.
The EIA study will be carried out to evaluate and assess the impact of any proposed (or existing) activity on the environment. Noise is one of the environmental attributes, on which the likely impact due to the proposed (or existing) activity need to studied.
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The objective of the EIA study is to ensure that the local environment will not get affected by the noise levels emanated from the proposed activity. If the ambient noise levels are high, then control measures may be suggested to the project proponent to ensure that ambient noise levels will not increase due to the proposed activity.
The likely steps to be taken while conducting noise level studies for an EIA project are as follows:
The EIA will be carried out for either proposed or existing activities. The sequential steps involved will be same for both the activities.
i. The likely activities that generate noise from the proposed activity are to be identified.
ii. The typical sound (noise) levels of the noise generating sources are to be assessed either from literature or from a similar source.
iii. The likely exposure time of a worker at a noise generating source is to be assessed from the plant/utility records.
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iv. The workspace environment noise levels are to be checked with OSHA standard. If the noise exposure levels are higher, suitable noise control measures like personal protective equipment, installation of barriers, enclosures etc., need to be suggested.
v. The EIA will usually be carried out in an impact circle of radius 3 Km to 25 Km or even more depending on the objective and the likely activities of the proposed project. The representative baseline (or back ground) status of the ambient noise levels needs to be collected by monitoring at various stations in the study zone.
vi. The ambient noise levels are to be analysed for the prescribed parameters like, Leq, Ldn etc., and compared with the ambient noise level standards for the study region. If these values are higher than the prescribed limits, the likely causes for the high values need to be assessed.
vii. The likely impact of the noise levels from the proposed activity on the local environment keeping in view the baseline status of noise levels needs to be predicted.
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viii. If the predicted impact is adverse, suitable measures for attenuating the noise levels like, green belt development, in-plant control measures etc., need to be suggested.