2- Noise Pollution

dents survey shows that human error ac-

Introduction: counts for 73% of accidents. Disturbing
environmental noise produced by car
Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It is horns, loudspeakers, and the high sound of
considered one of the most widespread en- TV sets and cassette players, which the
vironmental issues all over the world. For citizens are exposed to, affects man's psy-
Egypt, the noise issue, as environmental chological and nervous health leading to
pollution, ranks second among environ- annoyance and restlessness. This is consid-
mental pollution issues according to the ered a violation to the human right to rest
complaint survey (received by EEAA) for and quietness. In addition to the abovemen-
2006. It is considered a serious issue be- tioned impacts, noise disturbs pregnant
cause of its harmful impacts on citizens women putting them in an unstable state,
and public health. The impact of noise may accordingly impacting the fetus health.
cause permanent hearing loss due to the
exposure to noise levels exceeding 90 dB In the last years, it has been noticed that
(where dB is the noise measurement unit). noise levels in Egyptian streets are disturb-
Noise adversely impacts development as a ingly increasing. These levels have reached
result of its direct and indirect effects on unacceptable limits locally and internation-
life activities (education, production, eco- ally. Measurements indicate that noise lev-
nomic processes, and social aspects, etc). els in major squares and streets may reach
Exposure to high noise levels is among the approx. 75–85 dB, violating permissible
key causes of human mistakes leading to limits stipulated upon in Law 4/1994 on the
increased accident rate. Egypt road acci- Environment and its executive regulations

50
Noise

not to exceed 60 dB by day, 55 dB in the A. Vehicles Noise

evening, and 50 dB by night. High noise
levels in major cities and governorate capi- Noise from vehicles is produced by:
tals are due to population growth and asso- • Vehicle engines
ciated activities as well as the lack of sound
urban planning. • Exhaust pipes

Thus, development of a national plan for • Horns

combating noise was a mandatory, with the
• Sounds of cooling fans, gearboxes,
participation of all concerned ministries,
and brakes
according to Cabinet directives. The plan
included identifying roles and responsibili- • Tire-road friction
ties of each ministry in light of the MSEA's
strategy to mobilize efforts to face one of B. Railway Noise
the most hazardous pollutants and identify- Train noise affects the inhabitants adjacent
ing scientific solutions to combat it. to the railway lines within a distance of
approx 150 m.

Noise Sources in Egypt C. Aircraft Noise

Egypt has recently witnessed increasing The increase in air traffic in airports im-
development of new projects in all activi- pacts urban and housing areas which have
ties, particularly in major cities, without marched around airports through high lev-
prior planning. This is one of the outcomes els of noise, especially for areas near run-
of increased population, requiring more ways.
commercial and industrial activities in the
residential areas, in addition to high traffic
2. Noise from Power Stations
density resulting from increased number of 3. Noise from Industrial Facilities
vehicles. All these factors combined to-
gether lead to increased noise level. Major There are some industries which are con-
noise sources in Egypt include: sidered major sources of noise such as tex-
tile, metallurgical, and wooden industries,
1.Noise from Transportation as well as some equipment such as com-
Means and Traffic Roads pressors, boiler chambers, and power gen-
Noise produced by means of transportation erators.
and traffic roads is considered to be the 4. Noise from Commercial and Hu-
prime cause of environmental noise in man Activities
Egypt. This type of noise contributes
around 60% to noise causes. All areas at Commercial activities under residential
the level of major cities are exposed to this blocks are considered one of uncontrollable
type of pollution. Citizens, in their work- noise sources. Therefore markets and com-
places, homes, roads, etc. are exposed to mercial activities should be transferred
such type of noise. Noise from transporta- away from residential areas and new li-
tion means and traffic roads include the censes should not be issued inside these
following sources: areas.

51
 Noise

5- Construction and Demolition These measurements are executed on three

Noise stages:
• Monitoring and analysis of noise data.
Noise from construction and demolition is
produced by equipment used for these pur- • Preparation of environmental noise
poses. This, however, is a temporary maps of such area according to meas-
source of noise in certain areas which ends urement results.
by the termination of construction works.
• Development of necessary recommen-
6- Noise from Central Cooling Sys- dation.
tems and Air Conditions a. Noise Measurements
This is due to the absence of Building As shown in next figrs ((2-1),(2-2),
Noise Code as well as acoustic abatement (2-3)) and table (2-1).
design for places of AC installation and Monitoring Results Analysis
central air conditioning systems.
1. Results show that L(A)eq levels exceed
permissible limits stipulated in the Ex-
Demonstration Monitoring of Envi- ecutive Regulations of the Law of Envi-
ronmental Noise Levels for 2006 ronment during the three periods of the
day: 60 dB during day, 55 dB during
1. Noise Levels in South Cairo evening, and 50 dB during night,
throughout the monitoring period
Completing the studies made during 2005 (October, November, and December).
which clarified noise levels in South Cairo Noise levels were higher by approx. 16
region, noise levels were monitored 24 dB during day, by approx. 20 dB during
hours in Nile Corniche road through a mo- evening, and by approx. 25 dB during
bile noise monitoring station installed in night.
the building of Environment and Water Po-
lice General Department. This was the trial 2. Analysis of measured sound frequen-
stage of permanent noise monitoring proc- cies show that the frequency of the
ess as an arrangement to start operating highest measured sound level ranges
environmental noise monitoring network. between approx. 400–4000 Hz during
Monitoring aims at the following: the three periods of the day throughout
the monitoring period. Noise sources of
• Assessment of noise levels resulting this frequency range could be identified
from traffic, to which the Egyptian as a group of sounds produced from
citizen is exposed. horn and car engine sounds.
• Preparation of an exhaustive report
about noise sources levels and the pro- 3. Analysis of monitoring results show
posed solutions to improve the current that the main source of sound which
status which will be submitted to deci- increases noise rates in this region is
sion makers. increased traffic volume in addition to

52
Noise

‫ﻓﺘﺮة اﻟﻨﻬﺎر‬ ‫ﻓﺘﺮة اﻟﻤﺴﺎء‬

Daytime Evening time

100 100
100 95

Sound Level (dB)

(dB)

(DB) ‫ﻡﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﺼﻮت‬

90 90
Level‫ﻡﺴﺘﻮى‬

90 85
8080 80
(DB)‫اﻟﺼﻮت‬

75
75
7070 70
Law Limit
Sound

65
65
60 Law Limit
6060
55
55
50 50

October
‫ اآﺘﻮﺑﺮ‬November
‫ ﻥﻮﻓﻤﺒﺮ‬December
‫دﻳﺴﻤﺒﺮ‬ October
‫اآﺘﻮﺑﺮ‬ November
‫ﻧﻮﻓﻤﺒﺮ‬ December
‫دﻳﺴﻤﺒﺮ‬

Figure (2.1) L(A) eq during day Figure (2.2) L(A) eq during evening

Table (2.1) L(A)eq during different periods of the day for three months at Nile
Corniche road (Maadi–Helwan)
Day L(A) eq Evening L(A) eq Night L(A) eq
Month Measure- Permissi- Measure- Permissi- Measure- Permissi-
ment ble limit ments ble limit ments ble limit
October
75.9 60 75.73 55 74.61 50
2006
Novem-
ber 76.27 60 75.77 55 74.63 50
2006
Decem-
ber 75.98 60 75.43 55 74.45 50
2006

‫اﻟﻠﻴﻞ‬time
Night ‫ﻓﺘﺮة‬

100
95
‫ﻡﺴﺘﻮى‬
)

90
‫(اﻟﺼﻮت‬dB

85
80
(DB)Level

75
7070
65
6060 Law Limit
Sound

55
5050
45
40
‫اآﺘﻮﺑﺮ‬
October ‫ﻥﺰﻓﻤﺒﺮ‬
November ‫دﻳﺴﻤﺒﺮ‬
December

Figure (2-3) L(A) eq during night

53
 Noise

the high sound of horns which are ex-

tensively used. This could be due to the
absence of a pedestrian area, accord-
ingly pedestrians pass randomly.
3. Noise levels exceeding permissible lim-
its during night could be the result of
increased heavy truck traffic and use of
horns in vehicles and wedding proces-
sions at night time.

4. Comparing noise levels during days of

the week, it was found that they are
close although it was expected that
noise levels would decrease during Fri-
days and Saturdays as the weekends.
This shows that traffic volume increases
during weekends.

54
Noise

b. Environmental Noise Contour Maps in Nile Corniche (Maadi–Helwan)

Road
These maps have been drawn using noise monitoring measurements and noise predic-
tion program

Residential

Residential buildings
Environment
Police Appartment
building

NileNile
Corniche
Corniche
Rd.

Maadi Residential
Armed
Agricultural land

Constitutional

Figure (2.4) Environmental Noise Map in Nile Corniche (Maadi–Helwan) Road during Day

Residential

Residential buildings
Environment
Police Appartment
building

Nile
Corniche

Residential
Maadi
Armed
Agricultural land
Forces

Constitutional

Figure (2.5) Environmental Noise Map in Nile Corniche (Maadi–Helwan) Road during Evening

55
 Noise

Residential

Residential buildings
Environment
Police Appartment
building

Nile
Corniche
Rd.

Residential
Maadi
buildings
Armed
Forces Agricultural land
Club

Constitutional
Court

Figure (2.6) Environmental Noise Map in Nile Corniche (Maadi–Helwan) Road during Night

of noise levels after development ends.

These measurements aim at the following:
• Evaluation of noise levels to which the
Egyptian citizen is currently exposed
and the extent of noise level compli-
ance with limits stipulated in Law of
Environment 4/1994.
• Making use of measures in reducing
Contour Map Legend of Noise Levels around the noise levels during the re-planning and
Road development of the Square to meet lim-
Colors indicate noise levels in dB its stipulated in Law of Environment
4/1994 after development.
Noise monitoring measurements were car-
2- Noise Levels in Giza Square ried out for two hours per day period as
stated in the Executive Regulations of the
Within the framework of re-planning and
Law of Environment. Results were com-
developing Giza Square, which suffers
pared with parameters provided in Table
from high noise due to increased traffic
(2), Annex (7) of the Executive Regula-
volume and variety of overlapping activi-
tions, Law of Environment 4/1994. Giza
ties, measurements have been carried out
Square was considered a commercial, ad-
in the Square to determine the current
ministrative area and as downtown.
noise levels, make use of results in proper
planning of the square, and avoid increase

56
Noise

Measurement Locations in Giza Square:

85

L(A) eq
1) In front of Istiqama Mosque 82.5

(dB)
80
2) In front of Omar Effendi (Giza) 77.5

3) In front of Misr Insurance Building 7575

LAeq
(dB ) 72.5
4) In front of Bank Du Caire 7070
67.5
‫ﺍﻻﻗﺼﻰ‬Limit
Law ‫ﺍﻟﺤﺩ‬
6565
a. Measurements Results and Noise Data 62.5
Analysis 7060
11 22 33 44
82.5 Measurement Locations
L(A) eq

80
(dB)

77.5 Figure (2.8) comparison between L(A) eq results at

75
82.5 measurement locations during day
85
72.5
70
LAeq 80
(dB)
67.5
75 80
L(A) eq

77.5
(dB)

70
65
75
62.5
65
Law Limit 72.5
60
60 70
70
55
57.5 67.5
LAeq67.5
55
50 65
65
(dB)62.5
11 22 33 44 62.5
Measurement Locations
60
60
57.5
57.5 Law limit
55
55
Figure (2.7) comparison between L(A) eq results at 52.5
measurement locations during evening 50
1 2 3 4
Measurement Locations

Fig. (2.9) Comparison between L(A) eq at

measurement locations during night

Table (2.2) L(A) eq during Day Periods at Measurement Locations in Giza Square

permissible Noise Level Noise Level Noise Level Noise Level

limits of at Location at Location at Location at Location
Period
L(A) eq 1 L(A) eq 2 L(A) eq 3 L(A) eq 4 L(A) eq
(dB) (dB) (dB) (dB) (dB)

Day 65 82.1 79.37 80.14 81.19

Evening 60 76.97 77.95 79.9 79.64
Night 55 75.73 74.4 79.2 79.29

57
 Noise

Analysis of monitoring results:

3) Although noise level measurements
1) Results showed a rise in L(A)eq than have been performed for location 4 (in
permissible limits set by the executive front of Cairo Bank) on Friday (official
regulation of environmental law, during vacation) where noise levels were ex-
day periods for all monitoring loca- pected to decrease, it was noticed that
tions. Noise levels increased during day they have increased to be the same as
time by a range of 15 to 17 dB, during all the week rates. This is due to excess
evening by a range of 16 to 20 dB, and traffic volume at the square as well as
at night to more than 20 dB. crowdedness of citizens especially dur-
2) Relevance in results of noise level ing day time after El Gomaa prayer.
measurements at several locations 4) Measured sound frequencies analysis
around Al Giza square, El Gamaa and proves that the highest measured sound
Morad streets, and El Ahram Street. frequency ranges from 400 to 4000 Hz
They all ranged from 75 to 79 dB, this during day periods for all monitoring
rise in noise levels at all locations is locations. Sources of noise for these
due to increase in the volume of traffic frequencies can be identified as a group
congestion, scattered microbus parking of sounds such as car horns, diesel-
areas all around the square, and pres- operated engine sounds (microbuses
ence of street vendors causing obstruc- and buses), street vendors, and pedestri-
tion of traffic flow and excess use of ans sounds.
horns.
Note:
• L(A)eq: The equivalent continuous A – weighted noise pressure level
identified in the Environment Law 4/1994.
• Decibel is the unit of measuring sound level (dB)
• Hertz is the unit of measuring frequency (Hz)

58
Noise

b- Environmental noise Contour maps in Al Giza Square

These maps were drawn upon monitoring results and using noise prediction program

Residential
buildings
Office
building
Residential
buildings

University
Bus St. Mourad St.
Green Office terminal
area building
Office
building Office
building
Giza Bridge
Residential
buildings
Residential Residential
buildings buildings

Residential
buildings

Fig (2-10) shows the environmental noise map for Al Giza Sq area at day time

Residential
buildings
Office
building
Residential
buildings
University Mourad St.
St.
Bus
Green Office terminal
area building
Office Office
building building

Giza Bridge
Residential
buildings
Residential Residential
buildings buildings

Residential
buildings

Fig (2-11) shows the environmental noise map for Al Giza Sq area in the evening

59
 Noise

Residential
buildings
Office
building
Residential
buildings
University Mourad St.
St.
Bus
Green Office terminal
area building
Office Office
building building
Giza Bridge
Residential
Residential buildings
Residential
buildings
buildings

Residential
buildings

Fig (2-12) shows the environmental noise map for Al Giza Sq area at night

Noise levels of different activities

all over the governorates of the re-
public during 2006

EEAA is activating the environmental law

(EL) no. 4 of 1994 concerning article 44 of
the executive regulation for permissible
limits of noise levels through periodic in-
spection process over enterprises and in-
vestigation of citizens’ complaints. A data-
Contour map legend of Giza Sq; base was established for noise levels meas-
Colors indicate the level of noise in dB ured within industrial, commercial, and
touristic enterprises all over the republic
during inspecting these enterprises through
the Environmental Inspection Department
of EEAA and its RBOs. The database is
published on the internet on the website of
EEAA, and all the RBOs recorded their
measurement results in the database.
The report denotes that the total enterprises
inspected (concerning noise emission) at
EEAA RBOs in different governorates dur-
ing 2006 were 704. The ratios of violating
enterprises were 32, 25% (recorded more
than permissible limits of EL no. 4 of

60
Noise

1994). Necessary legal procedures have

been taken towards these enterprises, while Efforts of the Ministry of State for
the ratio of non-violating enterprises was Environmental Affairs (MSEA) to
66, 75%. combat noise in 2006

Table (2-3) No. of different facilities in- In the framework of the National Plan (NP)
spected concerning noise all over EEAA to combat noise developed by EEAA in
RBOs coordination with the concerned ministries,
No. of MSEA activated their role by preparing the
No. of non- necessary arrangements for establishing the
To- National Noise Monitoring Network
(RBO) Violating Violat-
tal (NNMN) to monitor environmental noise
Facilities ing Fa-
cilities levels. The Network will start operation on
Cairo 57 66 123 March 2007 with Cairo governorate as a
first phase. NNMN consists of 20 Station-
Alexandria 18 149 167
ary monitoring stations and 2 Mobile trial
monitoring stations. Locations where sta-
Tanta 44 96 140
tions will be installed were chosen and
Al Masura 40 77 117 identified; 5 stations location were identi-
fied to be installed permanently in five of
Al Suez 12 20 32 the main squares (El Tahrir, El Ataba,
Asyut 52 60 112 Ramsis, Roxi, and El Opera), and 15 sta-
Hurghada 11 2 13 tions south of Cairo at locations of differ-
ent activities according to international
standards. They include various activities;
Total (industrial, commercial, touristic, roads,
180 No. of non-Violating Facilities railways, and residential). These stations
160
140
No. of Violating Facilities will be transferred to north, east, and west
No. of Faciliti

120 of Cairo until noise monitoring is com-

100
80
pleted all over Cairo governorate, then they
60 will be moved to Al Giza and Qalyubia
40
20
during the second and third phases.
0
ri a

a
ra

ur ut
le i ro

ez

ad
nt

su
nd

sy
Su
a

gh
Ta
C

an

A
xa

H
A

RBOs

Fig (2-13) graph showing no. of different

enterprises inspected during 2006 all over (RBOs)
of EEAA

61