Noise, by definition, is unwanted sound. What is pleasant to some ears may be extremely unpleasant to others, depending on a number of factors.
The natural environment contains many sources of noise - wind, volcanoes, oceans, and animal sounds are all familiar intrusions accepted at various levels.
Man-made noises - such as those from machines, automobiles, trains, planes, explosives and firecrackers are more contentious.
Both kinds of noise affect sleep, hearing and communication as well as mental and physical health.
Noise travels through the air. Noise is measured in decibels.
Experts believe that continuous noise levels in excess of 90 decibels can cause loss of hearing and irreversible changes in nervous systems.
The World Health Organization [WHO] has fixed 45 decibels as the safe noise level for a city.
Metropolitan areas in India usually register an average more than 90 decibels.
The rules regulate noise levels in industrial, [75 decibels] commercial [65 decibels] and residential zones [55 decibels], and also establish zones of silence (100 meters) near schools, courts, hospitals, etc.
The rules also assign regulatory authority for these standards to the local district courts.
No permission can be granted by any authority for use of public address system in the open after 10.00 p.m. and before 6.00 a.m.
No exception is possible. Any person or organization making noise on amplified system after 10.00 pm is violation of the law and the person can be prosecuted under the provisions of the EPA 1986.
Only District Magistrates can grant permissions after 10.00 p.m. for functions within closed premises.
District Magistrates cannot grant permission for use of any amplified public address system after 10.00 p.m.
After permission has been procured, the sound must fall within the sound limits prescribed in the Noise Rules. This can be measured on a sound meter.