ABSTRACT

Noise pollution continues to grow and is accompanied by an increasing number of complaints including discomfort and irritation to people depending on its intensity, duration and frequency. Ambient noise levels were sampled from different points around three major markets in umuahia using noise level meter Extech 407730. The instrument was calibrated by the internal sound level calibrator before making measurements at each site. Measurements were recorded at intervals of 30 seconds for a period of 7.5 minutes, giving 15 readings per sampling location. The sampling locations and coordinates of sampling points were taken with Garmin GPS. This procedure was carried out at peak hours of operation during the morning (8.00- 9.00am), Afternoon (1.00- 2.00pm) and Evening 5.00- 6.00pm). With the use of simple random sampling technique, questionnaires and interviews were administered to saw millers, timber dealers, food millers and other marketers to determine the implications of noise generated in the study areas. However, the Duncan multiple Range Test showed that there was no significant difference (P≥0.005) between the mean noises. Results show that the levels of the noise varies from each market as more noise levels were recorded in Ubani market, followed by Ahieke and then Orieugba market. Mean noise level in the three markets were above minimum acceptable standard of 85 dB(A) over 8 hours. Some recommendations made to operators and traders which will ensure health safety management during operations include, but limited to; the provision of noise control devices like use of mufflers, dampers and silencers, strict adherence to government regulations and policies, regular maintenance of milling machines to reduce warbling of components which leads to increase in noise generation, and use of enclosures on feed mills equipment to reduce vibration and noise transmission to the mill workers and general public