Environmental Noise

Noise in our environment can come from a variety of sources and occurs all the time. Not only can these noises disturb our peace and enjoyment, but they may also affect our mental health and wellbeing.

Noise is generated in our everyday lives, by airplanes, construction, taxis, and traffic, and where most of us can tolerate a large part of it, it can also have the potential to cause much conflict and discomfort as well. Much environmental noise is unavoidable, but it can also be avoided by putting into place mitigation designs that help reduce the noise or its impact.

Environmental acoustics are methods that can be implemented to mitigate environmental noise and its effects on people.

Our Law and Environmental Noise

Many of these mitigation strategies involve the by-laws of a particular area, which give guidance on how to work within its constraints, to make sure that noise does not detrimentally affect a person’s health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of the space around them. Strategies in environmental acoustics are then planned and implemented.

It has been found in our law that there are two types of noise, disturbing noise and noise nuisance. The former is an objective criterion, where the noise is clear to be heard as a disturbance. Noise nuisance on the other hand is a more subjective consideration when assessing noise and its disturbance factor.

In terms of section 25 of the Environment Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism can make regulations regarding noise, its reduction, elimination, and prevention. One such set of regulations that guide environmental acoustics is the “National Noise Control Regulations”.

Noise disturbance is defined in this regulation as “any sound which disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person”. It also defines disturbing noise as “a noise level that exceeds the ambient sound level measured continuously at the same measuring point by 7 decibels or more.”

Section 5 then provides a list of ways in which disturbing sounds can be created and are prohibited.

It also is within the scope of the by-laws of a particular area that environmental noise must be controlled, for the proper use and enjoyment of all people in the space around them.

For an environmental noise assessment and mitigation design, contact Acoustech today to find out more information about environmental acoustics.