Opinion: Towards Noiseless Lagos

A Noiseless Lagos Is Non Negotiable Says GM LASEPA

Noise is a borderless irritant and a great health risk factor in environmental management. Globally, its destructive force on human life has been acknowledged, with concerted effort put up to control it, if not to eliminate it.

Measured in decibels (dB), the tolerable level of noise to man is between 80 and 85 dB; above this level, noise becomes harmful.

Ordinary conversation is capable of producing noise as much as 60 decibel (dB), heavy traffic, window airconditioner, noisy restaurant each can produce 80 to 85 dB. Train whistle emits 103 dB, sports competition can release noise above 120 dB, a gun shot or siren at 100 feet away can produce 140 dB each, while jet engine flying at 1000 feet above sea level can generates 140 dB.

Unarguably, everyone is exposed to the dangerous effects of noise.

From factory workers to construction sites employees, airports ground workers, firefighters, armed forces personnel, musicians, residents along major motor ways, aircraft routes, and railway lines, schoolchildren, as well as commuters; no one is immuned from the deleterious effects of noise!

Depending on the frequency and exposure, excessive noise can lead to temporary or permanent health problems or partial impairment of some sensitive body organs. In the extreme, noise can result in a complete breakdown of human system. This is beside social, psychological, environmental and other incidental consequences.

Harmful effects of noise include, but not limited to, stress, annoyance, fatigue, declined productivity, hearing impairment, cadiovascular diseases and other health complications. The huge cost of noise and other environmental pollution on people’s well being is almost incalculabe.

A report of the World Health Organisation, WHO, in 2011, entitled “Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise,” concludes that “at least one million healthy life years are lost every year from traffic related noise in the western part of Europe.”

The Report states further that “sleep disturbance and annoyance, mostly related to traffic noise, comprise the main burden of environmental noise.”

It also identifies “cognitive impairment, anxiety, psychological distress, depression, communication problems, frustration, irritability, tension and reduced participation in social life.” as noise induced health risks.

According to the Report, “noise is considered a nonspecific stressor that may cause adverse health effects in the long run.

Epidemiological studies suggest a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and myocardial infaction in people chronically exposed to high level of road and traffic noise.”

It is against this background that the existence and activities of agencies like Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA could be appreciated. Recently, the Agency under its General Manager, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, a multiple award winner and Public Health Specialist, intensified efforts to bring a significant level of control to noise polution in Lagos.

Some extremely noise club houses were given differrent levels of legislative sanctions as a preliminary step to inbibe in their proprietors the culture of nothe useless environment.

We at Ekohotblog believe that efforts of LASEPA are in the right direction towards developing a smarter and noiseless Lagos.

This is in consonance with the megacity dream. The activities of LASEPA should, therefore, be sustained and fully susupported with proper funding.

We also believe that with the personage of Dr Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the zeal and commitment, it will not be difficult for her to attract the right resources to fulfil the mandate of the agency.

We commend LASEPA for its decisive intervention and effective legislative enforcement. LASEPA has taken the right steps.

Globally, the antidote to the noisy environment is proven control measures, the kind of which LASEPA has put in place with due legislation.

Effective imimplementationf its mandate towards achieving a noiseless Lagos is what LASEPA is trying to establish; wet, therefore, large public support and compliance to safe the megacity and its dwellers from the menace of consuming noise.

Beyond legislative enforcement, LASEPA should also adopt some more holistic measures in the task of controlling noise in Lagos one of the noisiest areas in the world.