Health Impact Assessment of Noise Pollution in Baghdad city

The health impact assessment of noise pollution from electrical generators, vehicles, military aircrafts, ambulance, industries and house equipments are undertaken in this study. The quantitative noise level measurements are carried out in the residential, commercial and industrial regions of Baghdad City by using portable sound level meter (Auto range, RS-232). The measuring instrument reports a noise pollution level ranges from 9l to 1407o of the acceptable sound pressure level that is likely to be without appreciable risk (70 dB(A)) in the indoor air spaces and near domestic electrical generators, respectively. The likelihood or probability of adverse health effects to the exposed individuals of Baghdad population related to public exposure to elevated noise pollution levels is quantified in this study by using the hazard index (HI) concept. The results of quantitative noise level measurements and risk characteization carried out in this study indicates that individuals in Baghdad population are exposed to sound pressure at levels that are likely to be cause appreciable health risk including increased incidence of hearing impairment, hypertension, ischemic heafi disease, annoyance, sleep disturbance, changes in the immune system and birth defects above natural background rates. The qualitate classiication of ambient enronment of Baghdad City according to the mean observed noise levels indicates that actionis recominended for noise pollution sources since the mean observed noise level(84.94 dB(A))for all the included noise sources is found to be exceed the acceptable level(70 dB(A))。