Environmental Noise Pollution and its Impacts on the Hearing Ability of Men and Women in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Noise is an environmental disturbance that has harmful effects on the physiological and psychological lives of human beings and animals. This work examined the perceived health implications associated with noise pollution on both genders in Ilorin, Nigeria. It specifically identified the major sources of noise pollution, assessed noise pollution levels in the selected areas and determined the differences in the impacts of noise pollution on the health of both genders in Ilorin. A total of 384 respondents were sampled. Sound Level Meter (SLM) was used to ascertain the levels of noise in the study areas. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to analyze the gathered data. Findings revealed that 73.2% of the respondents believed that traffic constitutes the highest source of noise pollution while others include music studios (63.3%), hotels/night clubs (52.1%) and power generating sets (50%). Noise levels were higher than the acceptable recommended noise level of 65 decibels for commercial and 55 decibels for commercial/residential locations by NESREA. Findings further revealed that males are more susceptible to the effects of noise pollution than females. Hence, possible mitigation measures such as noise pollution regulatory policy enactment and design of noise absorbing structures are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Diseases, Gender, Health Risks, Impacts, Noise