Noise pollution levels in Visakhapatnam City (India).

Visakhapatnam is an industrial and sea port city located on the east coast of India. A hospital (RCD hospital), residential area (Lawson's Bay Colony), traffic zone (Jagadamba junction, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation Complex junction and Seethammadhara junction) and industrial zone (Sea port) were chosen to monitor the noise levels. The observed noise level at RCD hospital was more than 10 dBA in any time. The background noise at Santhi Ashram was approximately 3dBA less at night time and 2dBA less at day time compared to ambient air quality noise standards (AAQNS) for silent zone. The ambient air quality noise levels (AAQNL) at traffic junctions were 5 dBA or more than those prescribed by AAQNS for commercial zone and most of the values were found in the range of 80 +/- 10 dBA, among which 75% values were found in the range of 110 +/- 10 dBA. AAQNL near port were found in the range of 5 to 10 dBA positive shifts on AAQNS due to conveyor operation. The AAQNL were alarming even in the absence of conveyor system, indicating the impact of vehicular traffic. Remedial measures were suggested separately for each situation.