Assessment of noise levels and identification of distribution pattern in elementary schools: a case study in Zanjan city

Background and Objective: Conversion of houses into residential towers in worn-out urban textures increases population. Schools of the vicinity would face with multiplicity and limited space for students, leading to noise pollution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise levels during morning and afternoon shifts among two primary schools in Zanjan. Materials and Methods: Measurements had been done using sound level meter, KIMO DB100. The equivalent noise level (Leq) measured during school year (2018-2019) in 10 stations. The measurements were done in three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) and in each season for two weeks. The data of the two schools were used for drawing charts and zoning by ArcGIS using IDW method. In addition, questionnaires were distributed among the teachers and school’ neighbors. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The results showed that all the stations were tackled with noise pollution. The highest levels were related to school’s shift change and break times. The morning shift schools experienced higher levels of noise in comparison to the afternoon ones (1.87 and 2.1 dB, respectively for boys and girls). Leq values for boys’ school was 2 dB higher than that of the girls’. The noise level in the schools were 72 dB, which is 17 dB higher than the standard level 55 dB. Conclusion: The residents living close to the schools were exposed to noise pollution for almost 10 hours a day. This could be regarded as harmful. The zoning maps showed that southwest side of the yard, adjacent to the neighboring residential buildings, had the highest levels of noise. This study demonstrated the site selection for the schools were not properly done.  Having a control strategy is needed.