Author:
Clark Sierra N.,Alli Abosede S.,Nathvani Ricky,Hughes Allison,Ezzati Majid,Brauer Michael,Toledano Mireille B.,Baumgartner Jill,Bennett James E.,Nimo James,Bedford Moses Josephine,Baah Solomon,Agyei-Mensah Samuel,Owusu George,Croft Briony,Arku Raphael E.
Abstract
AbstractUrban noise pollution is an emerging public health concern in growing cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but the sound environment in SSA cities is understudied. We leveraged a large-scale measurement campaign to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of measured sound levels and sound sources in Accra, Ghana. We measured sound levels and recorded audio clips at 146 representative locations, involving 7-days (136 locations) and 1-year measurements between 2019 and 2020. We calculated metrics of noise levels and intermittency and analyzed audio recordings using a pre-trained neural network to identify sources. Commercial, business, and industrial areas and areas near major roads had the highest median daily sound levels (LAeq24hr: 69 dBA and 72 dBA) and the lowest percentage of intermittent sound; the vice-versa was found for peri urban areas. Road-transport sounds dominated the overall sound environment but mixtures of other sound sources, including animals, human speech, and outdoor music, dominated in various locations and at different times. Environmental noise levels in Accra exceeded both international and national health-based guidelines. Detailed information on the acoustical environmental quality (including sound levels and types) in Accra may guide environmental policy formulation and evaluation to improve the health of urban residents.
Funder
Wellcome Trust
CIHR PhD scholarship
Imperial College Presidents PhD scholarship
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference90 articles.
1. United Nations. World Urbanization Prospects. https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-KeyFacts.pdf (2018).
2. Ezzati, M. et al. Cities for global health. BMJ 363, k3794 (2018).
3. Zakpala, R. N., Armah, F. A., Sackey, B. M. & Pabi, O. Night-time decibel hell: Mapping noise exposure zones and individual annoyance ratings in an urban environment in Ghana. Scientifica (Cairo) https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/892105 (2014).
4. Onuu, M. U. Road traffic noise in Nigeria: Measurements, analysis and evaluation of nuisance. J. Sound Vib. 233, 391–405 (2000).
5. Wawa, E. A. & Mulaku, G. C. Noise pollution mapping using GIS in Nairobi, Kenya. J. Geogr. Inf. Syst. 07, 486–493 (2015).
Cited by
7 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献