Investigating the Role of Educational Centers as a Constant Source of Noise Pollution in Urban Areas - A Case Study of Schools in Tehran Metropolitan City

Abstract

Undoubtedly, one of the main sources of noise pollution in cities is educational centers. The subject of discussion in related studies has always been the effects of noise pollution on educational centers, but almost none of them have ever looked at the subject from the perspective that these centers can also be an important source of noise pollution in urban areas. Therefore, this research, with a different approach, was addressed the effect of educational centers as an important source of noise pollution in urban areas. For this purpose, a total number of 32 state and nonprofit schools were selected randomly from north, south, east, and west of Tehran City. Then, after identifying different sources of noise in the schools, their sound level was measured by TES sound level meter (model, 1358), at distances of 10, 20, and 30 m from the centers. The measurement parameters included 10-minute equivalent sound pressure meter (Leq_10min), maximum sound level (L_max), and minimum sound level (L_min). Daily average sound level (Ld) was another parameter calculated for a period of 15 hours (from 7 am to 22 pm). According to the results, at the nearest distance to the schools (10 m), the highest average L_max was 69 dB (A), measured at the time of students’ departure. Its lowest was 64.7 dB (A) measured at the time the students had physical education class. The highest and average Ld levels at the distance of 10 m from the schools were 65.2 dB (A) and 59.2 dB (A), respectively, in state male primary schools and nonprofit female high schools. The average outdoor Leq and Ld level in the areas surrounding the target schools was about 5.5 dB (A) higher than the ambient noise. According to the results of the study, noises from schools may be considered as a disruptive factor in urban environments which has to be paid more attention.