Environmental noise pollution in Erbil City, Iraq: Monitoring and solutions

For the past fifteen years, rapid development and the increase of number of vehicles caused escalating of noise problems in Erbil City (the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan Region). To examine the noise pollution level in this city, the generated noises from outdoor, indoor, and road traffic sound sources (such as aircraft, road traffic, inside residential buildings, library, restaurant, classroom, administration office, construction equipments, and electrical generator) were monitored. Totally, sound pressure level (SPL) at 177 sites was measured. For instance, maximum recorded SPL values for indoor and outdoor were 87 dB and 105 dB, respectively. Usually, SPL value close to 110 dB causes hearing impediments. The obtained data were arranged and compared with the standards. To show the impact of distance on noise pollution, SPL values were measured at different distances from outdoor and road traffic sound sources. A mathematical model was derived to explain the influence of distance on SPL value. As a result, the increase of the distance between sound source and receiver was caused noticeable decreasing of noise pollution. Finally, several solutions were outlined to reduce noise pollution from the sound sources, transmission path, and receiver.