New Delhi, Oct 28 (India Today) : Hopes for a quieter Diwali this time hinge on massive awareness campaign as government's pollution watchdog has come out with record of alarming decibel levels last year compounding health hazards accompanying the festival of lights.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data show that noise levels picked up in Delhi's "silent zones" like Delhi College of Engineering, Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology and Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) - all located in campuses in relatively less dense areas - were above the prescribed limits during the day as well as night.

At Delhi College of Engineering located on Main Bawana Road in northwest Delhi, sound level exceeded prescribed limit of 50 dB (A) during the day. The sound level was always above 40 dB (A) at night as well at the same place.

At IHBAS, out of 16 days observations, six times sound level data exceeded the prescribed limit of 50 dB (A) (day time) whereas sound level was always above the prescribe limits of 40 dB(A) (night time). At ITO sound level data was always exceeding the prescribed limit of day and night time. The sound level data of CPCB exceeded the prescribed limit of 65 dB (A) (day time) for 15 observation whereas sound level above the prescribe limits of 55 dB(A) (night time) for 11 observations.

Based on the findings, the CPCB has recommended strict enforcement of stopping use of fire crackers after 10 pm.
"Air pollution has always been a concern on Diwali but figures for noise pollution last Diwali are also concerning. We conducted Real Time Continuous Ambient Noise Monitoring at 35 locations in seven cities Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bangalore and Hyderabad on the occasion of Diwali and pre-Diwali. The sound level ranged between 55 dB(A) to 65 dB(A) and maximum exceeding of prescribed standards was observed in Lucknow, Delhi followed by Mumbai and Chennai," said Dr A K Sinha, Scientist, CPCB.

"Noise pollution can cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects. Furthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading causes to health problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times panic attacks," said Dr Sinha.
How bad is noise for you

- Noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances

- Stress and hypertension are leading causes of health problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, depression and panic attacks

- Noise can cause ischemic heart disease, premature ejaculation