A Literature Survey of Noise Pollution.

Physically, noise is a complex sound that has little or no periodicity. However, the essential characteristic of noise is its undesirability. Thus, noise can be defined as any annoying or unwanted sound. In recent years, the rapid increase of noise level in our environment has become a national public health hazard. Noise affects mans state of mental, physical, and social well-being. The problem forms a special type of air pollution. Noise study is a rather new subject among other branches of science. The transition from art to near-science started from before the World War II. The work is an attempt to arrive at an understanding of the general situation on the problem of noise. The survey consists of four major parts the present status of noise pollution, its sources, its effects, and the control. Many urgent research needs are also identified. Finally, lists of terminology and bibliography relating to noise pollution problems are provided. Author