Team 5

Noise Pollution: Are there ways that it could be diminished, managed, eliminated? : 

Noise Pollution: Are there ways that it could be diminished, managed, eliminated? By Sally Campbell, Jennifer Fong, Dominique McCusker, Joyce Wong, Justine Wong

What is noise pollution? : 

What is noise pollution? Definition: Environmental noise that is annoying, distracting, or physically harmful An excessive or annoying degree of a harsh, disagreeable sound What constitutes as noise pollution? What is meant by “environmental”? How do you classify “annoying” and “distracting”? Is noise pollution a problem?

The investigation : 

The investigation Aims: To investigate whether or not noise pollution is considered a problem in school To investigate different methods of reducing noise pollution To investigate different soundproofing materials that can be used to reduce noise pollution

Test 1 - Questionnaire results : 

Test 1 - Questionnaire results Is noise pollution a problem during the following times: Mornings Class times Short break Long break Lunch times After schools

Questionnaire results : 

Questionnaire results Is noise pollution a problem during the following times: Mornings Class times Short break Long break Lunch times After schools

Questionnaire results : 

Questionnaire results Which areas are the most affected? Canteen Main stairs Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Playground/Undercover area

Questionnaire results : 

Questionnaire results Which areas are the least affected? Canteen Main stairs Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Playground/Undercover area

The investigation : 

The investigation Aims: To investigate whether or not noise pollution is considered a problem in school To investigate different methods of reducing noise pollution To investigate different soundproofing materials that can be used to reduce noise pollution

Why should noise pollution be reduced? : 

Why should noise pollution be reduced? Health hazards: Deafness Decrease in efficiency Increase in stress levels Decrease in concentration Possible high blood pressure Possible mental illness

How can noise pollution be reduced? : 

How can noise pollution be reduced? Creating “white noise” Covers unwanted sound with other, ambient sounds; ie: running water, wind chimes, etc. Creating noise barriers: Absorbs unwanted outside noise Soundproofing Increasing distance between source of noise and receptor Using damping sources; i.e.: sound baffles Either reduces/absorbs sound

The investigation : 

The investigation Aims: To investigate whether or not noise pollution is considered a problem in school To investigate different methods of reducing noise pollution To investigate different soundproofing materials that can be used to reduce noise pollution

Test 2 : 

Test 2 Aim: to investigate the problem of noise pollution using a real life example to find the level of noise that would travel through walls Method/Procedure: Tested the level of noise that would travel through walls using the speakers in Rm 346 and measuring the level of sound that can be heard in 347

Results - Initial dB readings : 

Results - Initial dB readings Increase of 26.8 dB Increase of 30.9 dB Increase of 10.5 dB

Test 3 : 

Test 3 Paper box testing

Materials must be… : 

Materials must be… CHEAP WIDELY AVAILABLE LOW MAINTENANCE DURABLE SUSTAINABLE

Choice of materials : 

Choice of materials Practical Sustainable Expanded/ Normal Polystyrene Fabric Cotton Wool Corrugated Card Aluminum Cans Plastic Bottles Newspaper

What were we trying to do…? : 

What were we trying to do…? To find out what material reduced sound levels the most; by making a proportional model of the rooms and testing with an iPod and mini-speakers And how?

Test 3 Procedure : 

Test 3 Procedure

Results - Scale Model : 

Results - Scale Model

So what did we find? : 

So what did we find? That aluminium cans and plastic bottles are the best sound insulators. The foam and the cotton, although appear to be the best insulator at first sight, were actually the worst.

…but why? : 

…but why? Because when sound goes through cotton and foam it is actually muffled rather than decreased in volume – we tend to think it’s ‘quieter’ when it is actually just more ‘blurry’.

Test 4 : 

Test 4 “THE FOAM ROOM”

The Foam Room - Why? : 

The Foam Room - Why? Larger Scale Thicker insulation for walls Conducted in an empty room    Results

Conclusion : 

Conclusion Cloth, Bottles and Cans are the best insulators Cloth is not sustainable Hence, Bottles and Cans are the best solution

So why was plastic bottles and aluminium cans the best? : 

So why was plastic bottles and aluminium cans the best? It is because the material of the plastic bottles are malleable and soft; also mainly because there is air inside the containers. The sounds from cotton/foam gets bounced around in the material, that’s why they sound more muffled. Sound traveling through the cans and bottles doesn’t actually get muffled so much the air inside the containers use up the energy. It seems so counter-intuitive!

Evaluation : 

Evaluation Reliance on a decibel meter to measure the level of noise – equipment might be inaccurate 3 measurements were taken per test – statistical inaccuracies as it will average out the dB level Unable to apply the materials to the test rooms as it would be using up unnecessary materials and time-consuming

Slide 27: 

The foam which was used to represent a model of the room was not the same as the one in test room - the noise-reduction capabilities may be different when actually implemented Used only music played at loud levels – other forms of noise pollution (i.e. bell rings) can be tested Was unable to test canteen during long break (which was the most affected area according to questionnaire results) due to absence of regular student population

Proposal : 

Proposal NOISE echo echo echo Sound Dispersing Wall UNPRACTICAL Walls will become too thick! Not aesthetically pleasing! Alternatives… = 3D ‘bumpy’ wall paint

Question for next year : 

Question for next year We have concluded that plastic bottles and aluminium cans are the most effective at managing noise pollution However, these 2 materials; although sustainable, are not easy to implement successfully and not particularly aesthetically appealing Therefore, we have decided to set a new question as: How can our research findings (i.e. that plastic bottles and aluminium cans are the most effective at noise management) be practically implemented into severely affected areas in school - but also taking into account aesthetic appeal and sustainability?

Thank you for listening! : 

Thank you for listening!

Bibliography : 

Bibliography http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/noise+pollution http://www.legalserviceindia.com/articles/noip.htm http://www.gov.je/Health/public_health/health_protection/pollution/Tips+on+Reducing+Noise.htm http://www.ehow.com/how_5056537_reduce-noise-pollution.html