OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of traffic noise in the city of Karachi.
STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross sectional study.
PLACE AND DURATION: Karachi, August 2008.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six different sites were selected from busy locations in different
areas of Karachi for study. Same persons made all recordings. Kamplex sound level meter
(SLM3) with built-in calibrated condenser microphone was used for all recordings.
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Two major roads of the city namely M.A Jinnah Road and Shahrah-e-
Faisal were selected for study.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Air traffic noise, Railway stations, vendors with their loudspeakers and
loud music played on certain vehicles were all excluded from the study.
RESULTS: Maximum level of noise was 110 dB (A), recorded from Autorikshaw & Motorcycles
(without silencers) and Minibuses. Maximum noise was observed during the peak rush hours
between 01.00 p.m. to 03.00 p.m. & 05.00 p.m. to 07.00 p.m. and was in the range of 110 dB (A)
with a dip of about 5 10 dB (A) between 03.00 p.m. to 05.00 p.m. The noisiest site was found to
be M.A Jinnah Road (Merewether Tower & opposite K.M.C building). The mean values of noise
level in the commercial and residential areas were 95.75dB (A) and 60 dB (A) respectively.
CONCLUSION: Karachi is facing an enormous problem of exceedingly high levels of traffic
noise, which is significantly higher than all the available international data.
Key words: Traffic Noise, Pollution, Effects of Noise.
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