Assessment of Noise Pollution and Its Effect on Residents Health in Ahvaz, Iran in 2011

Background & Aims of the Study: Among the environmental pollutions, noise pollution, due to the potential physiological and psychological effects on humans, is of a particular importance. Exposure to noise can result in hearing loss in citizens. Health risks from noise associated with road traffic. Noise health effects are the health consequences of elevated sound levels. This study was conducted to evaluate the noise pollution and health effects due to near roadway in Ahvaz, Iran. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive-cross sectional study, Equivalent sound pressure level was measured by sound level meters in 75 points in 4 roadways, which have high density of traffic in Ahvaz city during daytime. In them, at measuring stations, on 4 days of week, at three times totally 1038 measurements were recorded that including 6 parameters of traffic noise and each measurement was recorded for 30 minutes. SPSS software’s were applied for statistical analysis. Results: According to the research findings, the equivalent sound pressure levels in all stations were equal to 72.36±2.87 dB. There was a Statistically Significant difference between the mean Values of equivalent Sound Pressure level and noise health effects.  Based on result of this study the highest noise health effects were the nervousness and sleep quality. After transferring data to computer, SPSS and Excel software's were applied for statistical analysis Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it should seriously be taken into consideration in order to control noise and prevent the effects.