NOISE POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE ON PAKISTAN

Abstract

Noise pollution has become a major environmental and public health problem in Southeast Asia as urbanization races forward with population growth. With the increasing urbanization, noise sources such as construction sites, trains, airports and urban transportation systems, factories and workshops have mushroomed all over the place. Additionally, social or cultural activities are another major cause of noise pollution. Even low levels of noise may hurt our health, especially repeated noise. Tinnitus and hearing loss are the main consequences of noise-induced auditory pathology. The non-auditory effects of noise include heart problems, sleep problems and cognitive impairments; People become increasingly stressed out with a general deterioration in their quality of life. In Southeast Asia, noise pollution is measured using sound level meters, community surveys, and geographic information systems for noise mapping. The research concludes that many urban areas habitually exceed the World Health Organization's recommended limit. Urban developments are often made on the basis of major routes, which do not of themselves cut noise exposure, and national environmental requirements are still occasionally observed. This paper will use a summary of compiled information in peer-reviewed articles, government releases, and international guidelines to evaluate the level of noise pollution, health consequences, and legislation and regulations governing the Southeast Asian nations. Evidence-based perspective is provided by including comparative tables summarizing the urban noise levels, the health effects as well as the national regulatory standards. It has been seen in the findings that there is a critical necessity of integrated urban planning, greater observance of noise boundaries, awareness creation and specific measures and interventions to reduce the impact of noise pollution and to safeguard human health in Southeast Asia.