Spatial Patterns of Noise Pollution and its Effects in Lahore City

Lahore is one of the cities most effected by uncontrolled noise pollution in Pakistan. The most important factor of noise pollution is the road traffic. The main objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate road traffic noise and to measure its effects on the population of Lahore city. A weighting sound level meter was used in the study. All the measurements were taken at a height of about 1.2 m from the ground at 56 sample sites. The spatial noise pattern was shown in maps. These were also drawn to show buffers dividing areas into moderate, high and extremely high risk zones in accordance with noise risk levels. The maps were additionally divided in day and night time maps, each with graduated symbols. The main day-night values were exceeding the permissible environmental standards used in Pakistan. Therefore, a survey was conducted to study the diseases caused by noise pollution in the areas with highest noise levels.