Evaluating Noise Levels and Perception: A Study on the Impact of Noise Pollution in an Urban and Semi-Rural Campus of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico

Noise pollution poses a serious threat to human health and well-being, especially in educational environments where concentration and learning are essential. While urban noise has been widely studied, its effects within university settings remain underexplored. This study investigates environmental noise and student perceptions on two campuses of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico—one located in an urban area and the other in a semi-rural setting. Noise levels were measured using the CESVA-SC260 integrating instrument (CESVA Instruments, SLU, Barcelona, Spain), and student perceptions were gathered through a survey. A total of 731 students participated, with 357 from the urban campus and 374 from the semi-rural one. Results showed that noise levels on both campuses frequently exceeded the WHO’s recommended limit of 55 dB(A) for educational facilities, with readings between 40.9 and 85.0 dB(A); 89% of measurements surpassed the threshold. Major sources of noise included vehicular traffic, student gatherings, and construction-related machinery. Survey responses indicated that 41% of students perceived noise as a health risk, and 96% reported adverse effects on well-being and identified it as a disruptor of academic tasks. These findings underscore the pressing need for targeted noise management strategies in university environments and call for further research into effective, context-specific intervention that enhances learning conditions.