SURVEY OF NOISE DISTRIBUTION LEVEL IN IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE NIGERIA

The proliferation of noise sources in cities has adverse health impact. This study investigated the noise distribution and its health effect on the people in Idah. The methodology is through the use of Global positioning system (GPS) to obtain the survey areas on a global map; by establishing the latitude and longitude of the areas. Okenya, Ibro-Junction, Edeh-Alaba, Edeh-Adejoh, and Ofiji are the five (5) clusters investigated. Digital sound level meter ST9604 was used to obtain the noise distribution level in decibel. This was done by facing the noise level meter towards the sources of noise in the cluster locations. The average noise value in decibel (dBA) obtained were 58dBA, 62dBA, 56dBA, 57dBA and 64dBA respectively. In all, 26 locations were surveyed. Ten out of which recorded noise level well above 60dBA which is 38.6% and 100% of the entire survey area recorded noise level of 50dBA and above. According to WHO and NESREA, noise level beyond 55dBA is detrimental to human health and are associated with the following health risk; hearing impairment, dizziness, mental disorder, sleep disturbance, brain tumor, speech interference, serious annoyance, unproductiveness as a result of lack of concentration in workplace and general fatigue. In conclusion, the people living in the study area are affected by adverse noise effect like insomnia and mental disorderliness.