Environmental Noise Measurement Technique and Evaluation of Contribution of a Large Industrial Enterprise to Noise Pollution in the Neighboring Residential Area

Abstract

Introduction: Strong influence of noise on the urban population is one of the problems of a large city. The main sources of noise include road transport, industrial enterprises, and construction sites. A combined exposure to various sources of noise impedes assessment of their effects on the population. Distinguishing one noise source from another is a difficult measurement task. Objective: To measure noise levels close to a large industrial enterprise given busy traffic nearby, and determine contributions of the industry and road transport to the noise situation in the neighboring residential area. Materials and methods: In summer 2022, noise levels were measured in the vicinity of a large industrial enterprise located in the city of Perm in the daytime and at night at seven and eight sites, respectively, using a sound and vibration meter of the “Assistant” series with an additional “Monitoring” mode. The subsequent processing of chronograms in the “Monitoring” software enabled us to distinguish the noise generated by the industry from that of road traffic using the “Cut” function that removes interferences. Processing of the results using the “energy subtraction” technique allowed quantification of contributions of various sources to the local noise pollution. Results: In this study, noise was measured in a residential area adjacent to an industrial enterprise and the obtained results are provided. Noise levels from the enterprise were determined using a specialized software. The calculated contributions to the noise environment in the residential area vary between 0.035 and 0.603. The conclusion is made about a possible effect produced by noise from the analyzed industrial enterprise on people living on this territory. Conclusion: The effect of industrial noise on people living close to industrial premises is significant only at nighttime.