Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Oguntoke, O., Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa; Odeshi, T.A., Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Annegarn, H.J., Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
Noise emission from small-scale factories which are currently exempted from environmental impact assessment is quite worrisome. As a research response, this study assessed noise levels emitted by vibrator concrete-block (VCB) factories using sound level metre while impact on exposed subjects was elicited through questionnaire survey and field observations. 10 VCB factories were sampled randomly while a planned residential area served as control site. Questionnaire was administered to sampled workers and residents living in proximity to VCB factories. At VCB factory sites and nearest building, mean noise level ranged from 98.47-114.57 and 74.7-100.1dBA compared to control site with 55dBA. There was a significant variation (P<0.05) in noise levels generated at the selected sites. At 40 metres, about 20% of the VCB factories emitted noise levels higher than 80 dBA. Distance from VCB factories showed a significant negative correlation with monitored noise level (r=-0.82); hence explained 77.8percentof noise level pattern. A minimum buffer of 80 metres was projected between the factory and residential building using regression model.VCB factories workers and nearby residents were exposed to daily noise dose higher than permissible limit for work and residential environments. Unfortunately, none of the workers wore hearing protection during operation. Both sampled groups frequently experienced ringing ear (73.1%), speech interference (69.2%), headache (61.5%), annoyance (65.4%) and sleep distortion (61.5%) among other ailments. A huge number of urban residents are negatively impacted by noise emitted by VCB factories considering several scores of these factories located in cities/town and the number of cities/town currently present in the country. The study recommends urgent intervention for noise control in VCB factory premises. Environmental education and awareness programme is recommended for VCB workers besides mandatory wearing of hearing protection. Aminimum buffer of 80m between VCB factories and the nearest residential house should be enforced by appropriate agencies while on the long-run, VCB factories should be zone out of residential area. © Research India Publications.
Buffer; Control sites; Environmental education; Environmental pollutions; Exposure; Field observations; Hearing protection; Human health; Negative correlation; Nigeria; Noise emissions; Noise levels; Questionnaire surveys; Residential areas; Residential building; Residential environment; Residential house; Sound level; Speech interference; Urban environments; Ear protectors; Environmental impact assessments; Houses; Occupational risks; Planning; Public health; Surveys; Vibrators; anthropogenic effect; assessment method; environmental education; health risk; noise pollution; occupational exposure; Nigeria