M.A. (Geography) / The development of a new airport usually brings with it the problem of aircraft noise pollution for land users located within about 15km of the airport boundaries. Excessive aircraft noise levels can cause health problems for residents and workers, and be responsible for a decrease in residential property values in the noise impacted areas. This dissertation reviews the problems associated with aircraft noise, examines the predicted noise impact of aircraft operations at the proposed airport at La Mercy in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and concludes with recommendations for future land use around the airport. A number of relatively small urban settlements (Tongaat, Verulam, Waterloo, La Mercy, Umdloti Beach) are located around the La Mercy airport site. Almost all of the land not used for urban sett~ements is used for cultivation of sugar cane - very little land remains undeveloped. The agricultural land will probably eventually be converted to urban use, given the close proximity to Tongaat, Verulam and Durban. As such, comprehensive land use planning may still be done in order to avoid development of land for uses which will not be compatible with the anticipated aircraft noise levels. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA of the United States) computerised Integrated Noise Model (INM), designed to model aircraft noise impact was used to derive contours representing aircraft noise exposure around the airport. Taking factors such as airport elevation, mean temperature, runway usage, aircraft type, and flight routes into account, a set of contours unique to the airport at La Mercy were produced. By overlaying the noise contours on land use maps, land uses which would be incompatible with aircraft noise, should the airport be constructed were identified. Recommendations were then iii made on future developments in those non noise compatible areas. Much of Tongaat would be exposed to a moderate noise impact, whilst small portions receive a substantial impact. The whole settlement of Waterloo, and the southern portion of Verulam would be exposed to a severe noise impact. The central and northern portions of Verulam would receive substantial and moderate impacts respectively. Mount Edgecombe and Duffs Road would be exposed to a substantial impact, whilst the northern suburbs of Durban including Westville would encounter a moderate impact. An examination was then made of the general principles for land development - physical requirements of commercial, industrial and residential land use, and locational requirements of these land users in relation to one another. Thereafter, undeveloped land (undeveloped from an urban point of view ie. land used for sugar cane cultivation) was identified, and broad recommendations made for developing that land for urban use, taking general land use development principles into account

Thesis (M.Sc (Physiology)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / Objective This study assesses whether noise levels above legal limits of 85 dB(A) that can result in noise-induced hearing loss are present in areas where employees are supposed to work and to verify that such areas are demarcated as noise zones at the Polokwane Platinum Smelter. Background and motivation Excessive noise is a global health hazard with considerable social and physiological impact, including the development of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise is a major hazard in many workplaces. It is estimated that more than 30 million workers (almost 1 in 10) are exposed to unsafe noise in their work places. NIHL is the second most self-reported occupational illness or injury in the United States. Amongst miners, more than 90% of the population reports hearing problems by the age of 55 years. Noise exposure is prevalent in construction, foundries, agriculture, transport, industry and mining-related activities. The prevalence of NIHL has not changed much in the past two decades. Therefore, a hearing conservation programme is an important issue in the smelter as certain areas are denoted as noise areas. Study design A cross-sectional study design with a group of utility workers at the Polokwane Platinum Smelter, as the experimental group, and a group of undergraduate Bachelor of Science students at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus) served as a control group. Method A sound level meter was used to measure the noise levels where the utility group performs their technical work. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program. Results The average noise measured in various locations of the Polokwane Platinum Smelter was between 62.6 dB(A) and 105.1 dB(A). The results indicated that workers at the Polokwane Platinum Smelter are over exposed to noise in certain work areas if they work eight hours in the area. Areas where the average noise level was above noise rating limit of 85 dB(A) were demarcated as noise zones as an additional protective measure. Employees also use hearing protective devices, when they are working in noise zones, to control personal noise exposure. This is in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993 as amended eleventh edition (OHS Act 85/93). Conclusion In the present study, noise levels in certain areas exceeded the noise rating limit of 85 dB(A). However such areas are clearly demarcated as noise areas and employees accessing those area must wear earmuffs or earplugs. Possibilities of employees developing hearing loss overtime exist, if employees work for eight hours or longer in demarcated areas and do not adhere to the existing Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) implemented at the Polokwane Platinum Smelter. Noise levels at the Polokwane Platinum Smelter should be monitored regularly. / University of Limpopo

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / Any change in land-use goes hand-in-hand with changes in the prevailing ambient conditions such as a change in the prevailing environmental noise and ground vibration levels. This increase may have an impact on the health and well-being of people and may furthermore result in structural damage to houses. The level of exposure will depend on the type of activity, distance from the source and the attitude of the people exposed to the land-change activities. The main objective of this research was to identify, compare and determine what the impact of mine establishment could have on a residential area some 900m from the mine footprint area. The results of the survey would assist management in employing engineering control measures which would control the exposure levels. Mines are generally established in frontier regions where there are already formal and informal residential areas. These residential areas are usually in rural districts with low prevailing ambient noise levels or, if in fact perceptible, insignificant ones at the most. This study dealt with the evaluation of physical aspects such as environmental noise and ground vibration levels and the determination of exposure levels, an issue of environmental impact and of concern to public health. The village which is being exposed to increased noise and ground vibration levels is a formal housing area with infrastructural components such as roads, water and electricity connections. The exposure levels before and during the construction phase gave an indication of the positive or negative exposure levels that the people were enduring during the establishment phase of the mine...

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The noise produced by aircraft during operations around airports represents a senous social, technical, economic and environmental problem which is only going to get worse as air traffic volumes increase. Rapid urbanisation, development encroachment and poor planning in the past have resulted in noisy airport runways being situated too close to residents' living space. Rapid industrial growth and lack of funding exacerbate noise problems in developing countries. Moreover, developing countries and especially South Africa tend to have moderate climates and open-window living, which makes insulation an ineffective solution to the noise problem. This study aims at employing GIS to establish the potential noise exposure of various sensitive land use categories and population groups in the noise-controlled area at Cape Town International Airport. Firstly, options for the demarcation of a noise-controlled area were evaluated. Thereafter, incompatible land uses and priority areas for land use compatibility projects were identified and recommendations made for urban renewal projects for these areas. Lastly, the noise-exposed population were profiled according to vulnerability characteristics and vulnerable groups identified and located. A recommendation was made that Cape Town International Airport set up an interactive map-based website to disseminate information to the public about noise and any other important issues concerning the airport. An Internet GIS application would empower citizens by providing them with a dynamic and interactive tool for improved public participation and a better understanding of the potential environmental and socio-economic effects of the airport. Noise complaints could also be investigated through the website and prompt feedback given to the communities complaining about aircraft noise. At the local community level where people are being annoyed every day and night resulting in negative health effects, the problem of aircraft noise demands urgent attention, and measures should be put in place to reduce vulnerability to noise and improve the overall quality of life of noiseweary residents. Keywords: aircraft noise, noise mapping, noise-controlled area, noise contours, land use compatibility, noise exposure / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geraas veroorsaak deur vliegtuie by lughawens bied ernstige sosiale, tegniese, ekonomiese en omgewingsprobleme, wat net erger gaan raak namate vlugverkeer toeneem. Snelle verstedeliking, ontwikkelings-oorskryding en swak beplanning in die verlede het veroorsaak dat raserige aanloopbane te nabyaan mense se leefruimte gebou is. Vinnige industriële groei en 'n tekort aan befondsing vererger geraasprobleme in ontwikkelende lande. Bowendien het ontwikkelende lande, en veral Suid Afrika, 'n matige klimaat en oop-venster-leefwyse wat isolering 'n oneffektiewe oplossing maak vir die geraasprobleem. Hierdie studie het ten doelom GIS te gebruik om die potensiële geraas blootstelling van sensitiewe grondgebruike en bevolkingsgroepe in die geraas-kontrole area by Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe vas te stel. Eerstens is opsies vir die afbakening van die geraas-kontrole area geëvalueer. Daaropvolgend IS onversoenbare grondgebruike en prioriteitsareas VIr grondgebruikversoeningsprojekte geïdentifiseer en aanbevelings gemaak vir stedelike vernuwingsprojekte vir hierdie areas. Laastens is 'n profiel daargestel van die geraas-blootgestelde bevolkings volgens kwesbaarheidskenmerke en kwesbare groepe is geïdentifiseer en hulligging aangedui. 'n Voorstel is gemaak dat Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe 'n interaktiewe kaart-gebaseerde webwerf in werking moet stelom inligting oor geraas- en ander belangrike probleme in verband met die lughawe beskikbaar te stel vir die publiek en ander belanghebbendes. 'n Internet-GIS toepassing sal mense bemagtig deur hulle te voorsien van 'n dinamiese en interaktiewe meganisme wat sal lei tot beter gemeenskapsdeelname en ook 'n beter begrip van die potensiële omgewings- en sosio-ekonomiese uitwerking van die lughawe. Klagte oor geraas kan ook deur die webwerf hanteer en ondersoek word, en verder hulp verleen word deur vinnige terugvoering aan die gemeenskap wat die klagtes gelê het. Op plaaslike gemeenskapsvlak, waar mense elke dag en nag geïrriteerd raak en waar dit dan kan lei tot negatiewe gesondheidsinvloed, sal die probleem van vliegtuiggeraas dringend aangespreek moet word, en stappe geneem word ten einde kwesbaarheid van inwoners teenoor vliegtuiggeraas te verminder. Dit sal dan lei tot die algehele verbetering van die lewensgehalte van geraas-moeë Inwoners. Sleutelwoorde: vliegtuiggeraas, geraaskartering. geraas-kontrole area, geraaskontoere, grondgebruik versoenbaarheid, geraas blootstelling

Nightclubs and restaurant bars have become major sources of noise pollution particularly in areas close to residential dwellings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of noise emanating from nightclubs and restaurant bars on the community of Melville, Johannesburg. This study followed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A total of 100 respondents were randomly sampled within the study area. Qualitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire. A calibrated sound level meter was used to measure environmental noise levels at 10 different measuring points. The research finding revealed that about:  87% of noise levels measured with the sound level meter did not comply with officially acceptable levels of 40dB at night.  69% of respondents indicated that the main source of noise is pollution is nightclubs.  78% of respondents described noise as annoying, disturbing and unwanted.  57% of respondents indicated that members of their household have suffered from sleeping disorders due to noise activities at night disrupting their sleep patterns and resulting in irritability and fatigue. The noise measurements were taken on weekends and public holidays during the day from 10h00 to 14h30 and at night from 22h00 to 02h30. The research findings revealed that the residents of Melville experienced high level of noise at night with nightclub as major source of noise and as a result the majority of the sampled population complained about irritability, fatigue and sleeping disorders due to exposure to noise. The outcome of this research indicated the need of health education on the adverse effects of noise pollution and the need of sound insulation at places of entertainment. Implementation of a noise management policy is needed in order to effectively control and manage the noise pollution in its area of jurisdiction and regular noise level monitoring by constantly taking noise measurements by law enforcements officers. / Department of Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)