Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina; Avwiri Eseroghene

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina, Avwiri Eseroghene

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 7, Issue 1)

Received: 15 January 2019 Accepted: 25 February 2019 Published: 16 March 2019

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Abstract

Introduction: Noise pollution in churches is one of the health challenges facing developing nations of the world. Both Pastors/Reverends are exposed to different sound levels during church services, many of which can last for hours. According to the Nigerian National Environmental standard and regulation Act 2007, the maximum permissible noise level in worship centers should not exceed 75 dB and Nigeria being the highest church proliferation in the world makes it imperative to carry out this research. Aim: the aim of this study is the measure the equivalent noise levels with their corresponding frequency levels at varying distances from the source and quantify the noise pollution levels in churches and mosques in Port Harcourt. Method: a total of 11 Pentecostal churches, 5 orthodox churches and 3 central mosques were randomly selected. This study was carried out between July and August, 2017. Sound pressure level meter was used to measure the sound levels under the weighted range in churches on Sundays between the hours of 7.30 to 12.0 pm and on Fridays in mosques between the hours of 1.30 to 3.00pm afternoon session and evening at 6.00pm. Data obtained was analyzed using ms-excel. Result: Average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise level in pentecostal churches are 95.1 dB(A) and 79.5 dB(A) respectively while that for orthodox churches are 93.6 dB(A) and 77.9 dB(A) respectively. The average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise levels in mosques are 72.1 and 100.6 dB(A). The frequency of the noise ranges from 310.75 to 785.30 Hz in Pentecostal, 482.60 to 749.02 Hz in Orthodox churches and 438.63 to 620.36 Hz in mosques. The highest noise pollution level in churches and mosques recorded are 121.18, 119.38 and 123.48 dB for pentecostal, orthodox and mosques respectively. Conclusion: all the noise pollution levels recorded in the churches and mosques are higher than the safe permissible limits of sound of 75 dB thus making it unhealthy, unsafe for the worshippers. Therefore there is need for implementation of the noise regulation laws in churches in Nigeria in order to reduce the risk of hearing loss.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 7, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14
Page(s)	24-31
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Noise Pollution, Equivalent Noise, Mosque, Pentecostal

References

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[4]	Gerhardt KJ, Abrams R (2000). Fetal exposures to sound and vibroacoustic stimulation. J Perinatol 20, 21–30.
[5]	Chad Kitundu and Agencies (2018). Nairobi News. Rwanda shuts down 700 churches for noise pollution. 1st March, 2018.
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[8]	da Lilly-Tariah, Chibuike Nwosu, Victor O Ikenga, and Okechi C Mbalaso (2017) Sound Pressure Levels in Churches in Port Harcourt: A Study of Some Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal Churches. Global journal of Otolaryngology. 9 (2): 555758.
[9]	World Health Organization (2014). Occupational noise: assessing the burden of disease from work related hearing impairment at National and International levels.
[10]	Atolagbe, A. M. O and Tanimowo, N. B (2006). Noise Pollution in Nigeria urban centres a focus on urban environmental sustainability: intervention and responses. Shalom publishers Akure. 77-87.
[11]	Berglund B, Lindvall T (1995) Community noise. Stockholm, Sweden: World Health Organization 2 (1): 1-195.
[12]	Adesanya I. O (2011). Environmental effects of Church proliferation: the Redeemed Christian church of God as a case study. International journal of humanities and social sciences, 1 (15): 177-182.
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[15]	Asamoah- Baidoo (2011). Noise Induced Hearing loss among workers at Kotoka intl Airport M.Sc Thesis, KNUST, Kumasi.
[16]	Barbara Locher, André Piquerez, Manuel Habermacher, Martina Ragettli, Martin Röösli, Mark Brink, Christian Cajochen, Danielle Vienneau, Maria Foraster, Uwe Müller, and Jean Marc Wunderli (2018). Differences between Outdoor and Indoor Sound Levels for Open, Tilted, and Closed Windows. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 15 (1): 149.
[17]	ISO/ R131 (1959), Expression of the Physical Subjective Magnitude of Sound or noise.
[18]	Abdou AA. 2003) Measurement of acoustical characteristics of mosques in Saudi Arabia. J Acoust Soc Am; 113: 1505–17.
[19]	National Environment (noise Standards and control) Regulations (NERD) (2003) National Environment act cap 153.
[20]	Anomohanran, O., Iwegbue, C. M. A, Oghenerhoro, I. O and Egbai, I. J. C (2008) investigation of environmental noise pollution levels of Abraka Delta State, Nigeria, Applied Science Research 3 (4): 292-297.

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Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina, Avwiri Eseroghene. (2019). Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 7(1), 24-31. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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ACS Style

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina; Avwiri Eseroghene. Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2019, 7(1), 24-31. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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AMA Style

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina, Avwiri Eseroghene. Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2019;7(1):24-31. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14,
  author = {Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina and Avwiri Eseroghene},
  title = {Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {24-31},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20190701.14},
  abstract = {Introduction: Noise pollution in churches is one of the health challenges facing developing nations of the world. Both Pastors/Reverends are exposed to different sound levels during church services, many of which can last for hours. According to the Nigerian National Environmental standard and regulation Act 2007, the maximum permissible noise level in worship centers should not exceed 75 dB and Nigeria being the highest church proliferation in the world makes it imperative to carry out this research. Aim: the aim of this study is the measure the equivalent noise levels with their corresponding frequency levels at varying distances from the source and quantify the noise pollution levels in churches and mosques in Port Harcourt. Method: a total of 11 Pentecostal churches, 5 orthodox churches and 3 central mosques were randomly selected. This study was carried out between July and August, 2017. Sound pressure level meter was used to measure the sound levels under the weighted range in churches on Sundays between the hours of 7.30 to 12.0 pm and on Fridays in mosques between the hours of 1.30 to 3.00pm afternoon session and evening at 6.00pm. Data obtained was analyzed using ms-excel. Result: Average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise level in pentecostal churches are 95.1 dB(A) and 79.5 dB(A) respectively while that for orthodox churches are 93.6 dB(A) and 77.9 dB(A) respectively. The average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise levels in mosques are 72.1 and 100.6 dB(A). The frequency of the noise ranges from 310.75 to 785.30 Hz in Pentecostal, 482.60 to 749.02 Hz in Orthodox churches and 438.63 to 620.36 Hz in mosques. The highest noise pollution level in churches and mosques recorded are 121.18, 119.38 and 123.48 dB for pentecostal, orthodox and mosques respectively. Conclusion: all the noise pollution levels recorded in the churches and mosques are higher than the safe permissible limits of sound of 75 dB thus making it unhealthy, unsafe for the worshippers. Therefore there is need for implementation of the noise regulation laws in churches in Nigeria in order to reduce the risk of hearing loss.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area
AU - Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina
AU - Avwiri Eseroghene
Y1 - 2019/03/16
PY - 2019
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14
DO - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14
T2 - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP - 24
EP - 31
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2330-7536
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14
AB - Introduction: Noise pollution in churches is one of the health challenges facing developing nations of the world. Both Pastors/Reverends are exposed to different sound levels during church services, many of which can last for hours. According to the Nigerian National Environmental standard and regulation Act 2007, the maximum permissible noise level in worship centers should not exceed 75 dB and Nigeria being the highest church proliferation in the world makes it imperative to carry out this research. Aim: the aim of this study is the measure the equivalent noise levels with their corresponding frequency levels at varying distances from the source and quantify the noise pollution levels in churches and mosques in Port Harcourt. Method: a total of 11 Pentecostal churches, 5 orthodox churches and 3 central mosques were randomly selected. This study was carried out between July and August, 2017. Sound pressure level meter was used to measure the sound levels under the weighted range in churches on Sundays between the hours of 7.30 to 12.0 pm and on Fridays in mosques between the hours of 1.30 to 3.00pm afternoon session and evening at 6.00pm. Data obtained was analyzed using ms-excel. Result: Average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise level in pentecostal churches are 95.1 dB(A) and 79.5 dB(A) respectively while that for orthodox churches are 93.6 dB(A) and 77.9 dB(A) respectively. The average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise levels in mosques are 72.1 and 100.6 dB(A). The frequency of the noise ranges from 310.75 to 785.30 Hz in Pentecostal, 482.60 to 749.02 Hz in Orthodox churches and 438.63 to 620.36 Hz in mosques. The highest noise pollution level in churches and mosques recorded are 121.18, 119.38 and 123.48 dB for pentecostal, orthodox and mosques respectively. Conclusion: all the noise pollution levels recorded in the churches and mosques are higher than the safe permissible limits of sound of 75 dB thus making it unhealthy, unsafe for the worshippers. Therefore there is need for implementation of the noise regulation laws in churches in Nigeria in order to reduce the risk of hearing loss.
VL - 7
IS - 1
ER -

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Author Information

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina

Department of Physics, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Avwiri Eseroghene

Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

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APA Style

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina, Avwiri Eseroghene. (2019). Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 7(1), 24-31. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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ACS Style

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina; Avwiri Eseroghene. Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2019, 7(1), 24-31. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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AMA Style

Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina, Avwiri Eseroghene. Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2019;7(1):24-31. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14,
  author = {Ononugbo Chinyere Philomina and Avwiri Eseroghene},
  title = {Noise Levels and Frequency Response from Religious Houses in Portharcourt City Local Government Area},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {24-31},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190701.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20190701.14},
  abstract = {Introduction: Noise pollution in churches is one of the health challenges facing developing nations of the world. Both Pastors/Reverends are exposed to different sound levels during church services, many of which can last for hours. According to the Nigerian National Environmental standard and regulation Act 2007, the maximum permissible noise level in worship centers should not exceed 75 dB and Nigeria being the highest church proliferation in the world makes it imperative to carry out this research. Aim: the aim of this study is the measure the equivalent noise levels with their corresponding frequency levels at varying distances from the source and quantify the noise pollution levels in churches and mosques in Port Harcourt. Method: a total of 11 Pentecostal churches, 5 orthodox churches and 3 central mosques were randomly selected. This study was carried out between July and August, 2017. Sound pressure level meter was used to measure the sound levels under the weighted range in churches on Sundays between the hours of 7.30 to 12.0 pm and on Fridays in mosques between the hours of 1.30 to 3.00pm afternoon session and evening at 6.00pm. Data obtained was analyzed using ms-excel. Result: Average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise level in pentecostal churches are 95.1 dB(A) and 79.5 dB(A) respectively while that for orthodox churches are 93.6 dB(A) and 77.9 dB(A) respectively. The average indoor and outdoor equivalent noise levels in mosques are 72.1 and 100.6 dB(A). The frequency of the noise ranges from 310.75 to 785.30 Hz in Pentecostal, 482.60 to 749.02 Hz in Orthodox churches and 438.63 to 620.36 Hz in mosques. The highest noise pollution level in churches and mosques recorded are 121.18, 119.38 and 123.48 dB for pentecostal, orthodox and mosques respectively. Conclusion: all the noise pollution levels recorded in the churches and mosques are higher than the safe permissible limits of sound of 75 dB thus making it unhealthy, unsafe for the worshippers. Therefore there is need for implementation of the noise regulation laws in churches in Nigeria in order to reduce the risk of hearing loss.},
 year = {2019}
}

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