Temporal and seasonal variations of noise pollution in urban zones: a case study in Pakistan

Noise pollution is widely recognized as an important problem and can negatively affect quality of life. This study aimed to examine the temporal and seasonal variations of noise pollution in urban zones of Peshawar, Pakistan. This city is increasingly becoming congested and traffic-related problems are common. Noise levels were assessed in four different seasons at 20 points around the city, including three different zones: commercial, residential, and silent. All the noise indices including equivalent noise level, day and night time noise level, noise climate, and noise pollution level were calculated for all zones. In winter, the Leq values ranged between 52.5 and 73.3 dBA; while in spring, summer, and autumn, it ranged between 56.2 and 88.3 dBA; 46.9 and 88.6 dBA; and 49.2 and 76.6 dBA, respectively. The level of the noise was observed highest in commercial followed by residential and the silent zones. The levels of the noise were beyond the permissible limits in some zones mentioned in the Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (Pak-NEQS' 2010). The seasonal variation in Leq revealed that the noise level in 70% of areas increased from winter to spring, 45% from spring to summer, 35% summer to autumn, 30% autumn to winter, 70% winter to summer, and 40% spring to autumn. Temperature, humidity, and wind speed were the main seasonal factors causing the seasonal variations and traffic was the main source of noise pollution identified in the area.