Week 10 – Noise and Radiation Pollution: Causes, Effects & Control

Noise and radiation pollution causes, effects, and control methods, including nuclear hazards, with real-world and Pakistan-based examples.

Noise Pollution

Definition:
Unwanted or harmful sound that disturbs normal human or animal activity.

Measured In:
Decibels (dB) using a sound level meter.

• Normal conversation: 60 dB
• Heavy traffic: 85 dB
• Jet engine: 140 dB

Major Sources of Noise Pollution

Source	Description	Example (Pakistan)
Transport	Vehicles, trains, aircraft	Karachi, Lahore traffic noise (90–100 dB)
Industries	Machinery, compressors	Textile mills, foundries
Urbanization	Construction, generators	Ongoing metro and flyover projects
Social activities	Loudspeakers, events	Weddings, rallies, public functions
Household	TV, appliances	Domestic noise exceeding safe limits

Effects of Noise Pollution

• Health: Hearing loss, hypertension, insomnia, stress, heart disease.
• Psychological: Aggression, decreased concentration.
• Environmental: Disrupts bird communication, wildlife migration.

WHO Safe Limit:
Continuous exposure above 70 dB is harmful.

Noise Pollution Control

1. Engineering Controls:
   • Sound barriers, acoustic panels, noise-absorbing materials.
2. Urban Planning:
   • Zoning laws separating residential and industrial zones.
3. Legislation:
   • Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (1997) regulates sound limits.
4. Awareness & Behavior:
   • Avoid unnecessary honking, control loudspeakers, use silencers.

Radiation Pollution

Definition:
Emission of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation into the environment in quantities harmful to living organisms.

Types:

Type	Examples	Effects
Ionizing	X-rays, gamma rays, alpha & beta particles	DNA damage, cancer
Non-ionizing	UV rays, microwaves, infrared	Skin burns, cataracts

Major Sources of Radiation

Source	Category	Example (Pakistan)
Natural	Cosmic rays, radon gas	Northern mountain ranges
Medical	X-rays, radiotherapy	Hospitals, labs
Industrial	Nuclear plants, mining	Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP)
Weapons Testing	Fallout, waste	Global atmospheric residue
Electronic Devices	Mobile phones, Wi-Fi	Everyday low exposure

Effects of Radiation Pollution

On Humans:

• Cancer, genetic mutations, immune suppression, infertility.
• Radiation sickness (vomiting, burns, fatigue).

On Environment:

• Mutation in plants and animals.
• Reduced soil microbial activity.
• Long-term radioactive contamination (half-life of isotopes like Cesium-137: 30 years).

Week 9 – Soil Pollution: Major Sources, Types, and Impacts

Nuclear Pollution and Accidents

Definition:
Release of radioactive substances due to accidents or improper handling at nuclear facilities.

Famous Accidents:

Event	Year	Location	Cause
Chernobyl	1986	Ukraine	Reactor explosion
Fukushima	2011	Japan	Tsunami damage
Three Mile Island	1979	USA	Reactor malfunction

Pakistan Context:

• Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP-1) operates under IAEA safety standards.
• Proper waste containment ensures no radiation leakage to public areas.

Radiation and Noise Remediation

a) Noise Remediation

• Installation of green belts and trees along roads.
• Noise-absorbing construction materials.
• Use of low-noise machinery in industry.

b) Radiation Remediation

• Proper shielding and containment of radioactive material.
• Storage of nuclear waste in secure geological sites.
• Monitoring with Geiger counters for radiation levels.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in nuclear facilities.

Summary

Week 10 explains noise and radiation pollution two invisible threats to human and environmental health. From urban noise to nuclear risks, understanding their sources, effects, and remediation strategies ensures safer living and sustainable urban planning.

The approach followed at E Lectures reflects both academic depth and easy-to-understand explanations.

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