Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Lone campaigner against noise pollution

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram : K. Sadasivan, a former Government employee, is heading a one-man campaign against the ills of sound pollution.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Sadasivan urged civic-minded sections of society to stand-up against the "anti-social elements" who cause sound pollution in the name of organising festivals and functions.

He said the festival season in Kerala coincided with the timing of public examinations.

Often students have to prepare for the examination amidst the din of loudspeakers blaring film music almost round-the-clock. Most parents and students now accept sound pollution, particularly in the time of festivals, as an "inevitable evil".

They endure sound pollution as a fact of life, an inescapable reality.

In his work, "Noise Effects Handbook", Sadasivan explained how sound pollution could destroy the privacy, efficiency, safety and health of citizens. For instance, sound pollution causes a lowering of the sensitivity of the ears, a condition called Noise-Induced Permanent Threshold Shift (NIPTS). NIPTS could result from a single exposure to high intensity noise of the type caused by explosions or blasts. The same condition could be caused in individuals through sustained exposure to high noise levels.

Noise could also cause stress in individuals. High blood pressure, coronary disease, ulcer, colitis and headaches were some of the fallout of excessive exposure to noise pollution. Loud sound could aggravate the condition of those already suffering from such ailments. Sound pollution was also known to cause fatigue, insomnia, irritability, neuroticism, endocrine and biochemical disorders. Sound pollution adversely affected tasks that involved concentration, learning and analysis. It could also affect muscular movements and lull individuals. Excessive exposure to noise could cause anger, anxiety and emotional stress in persons. Distraction and poor judgement were some of the long-term ill effects of exposure to noise pollution.

Mr. Sadasivan pointed out that laws restricting the use of loudspeakers and high decibel sound systems were observed more in the breach. He urged those sympathising with his cause to contact him over Ph: 3268620.

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