Research Journal of Management Sciences ____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1171 Vol. 2(6), 17-21, June (2013) Res. J. Management Sci. International Science Congress Association 17 Perception level of Noise among Trainee Teachers, W.B., India Mondal N.K. and Das K.Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in Received 12th May 2013, revised 21st May 2013, accepted 1st June 2013 AbstractThis study aimed to understand whether trainee teachers have any basic concept about environmental noise or not. Study results revealed that both male and female teacher trainee has basic concept about noise and it is non-significant among them (p0.05). About 50.36% of respondents argued that noise induced hearing loss can happen when noise level greater 85 dB. However, 39% respondent correctly responds about the minimum level of noise permitted to the academic institute, hospitals etc. Finally it can be concluded that as noise is a vital factor which causes both auditory and non-auditory effect, so every teacher should know the basic feature of noise and its ill effects on the community. Keywords: Noise, trainee teacher, perception, auditory and non auditory effect. Introduction Environmental noise has been defined as an unwanted outdoor sound which makes restlessness to human is a resultant of human activities, creates interference in communication and health1-4. According to World Health Organization (WHO) noise is considered as the third hazardous type of pollution after air and water. Several studies demonstrated that auditory and non-auditory disorders, such as temporary and permanent hearing loss6-9, sleep disruption10-11, vertigo, agitation, weariness, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems (including gastric and duodenal ulcer), cardiac arrhythmia, nervous and psychic disorders12-19 are consequence of extended exposure to noise pollution. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended guideline values for continuous background noise are 45 dB during the day and 35 dB at night. World Health Organization (WHO) also recommended guideline values for continuous background noise at school room are 35 dB. However Juang et al.20pointed out that working place with noise of above 85 dB is consider as a hazardous in working environment. There is growing awareness and even some progress in the fight against air and water pollution but a third Jeopardy-noise-pollution has greatly begun to gain attention. There is some specific regulation which makes the school building eco-friendly and sustainable. Therefore it is immense important to aware the common people about the ill effect of noise in our community. The prime and single most important to aware our school children through their class teacher. Keeping in mind the above thinking, a comprehensive self made questionnaire was framed and same was used to know the perception level about noise from the trainee teachers. Material and MethodsStudy area: 46 samples were collected from Tarasankar Bandopadhyay Teachers Trainee college, Birbhum and 92 samples were collected from Durgapur BSA academy, Burdwan. Both the trainee centre’s has only arts stream and commerce stream. Questionnaire family: A self made questionnaire was framed by considering thirteen points which includes educational qualification, deputed or fresher, teaching experience if deputed, basic concept about noise, noise measurement unit, acceptable noise level in class room, health effect sleep disturbance, noise disturbance time etc. The validity of the questionnaire was done by the competent expert from physics department, Burdwan University. Statistical analysis: After collecting data (N=138) from the study sides, data were suitable arranged for statistical analysis. Basic statistics (mean, standard deviation, etc.), student t-test and Pearson correlation was done to interpret the results. Results and DiscussionStudy results revealed that both male and female fresher teacher trainee has basic concept about noise and it is non-significant among them (p0.05) (table-1). Similar non-significant (p0.05) results was also recorded for male and female deputed teachers (table-2). About 50.36% of the respondents demanded upper limit of the noise which can cause hearing loss is due to the noise &#x-5.8;⑵85 dB; 25.55% population says 85 dB; 16.58% agreed just 85 dB and 7.51% dose not respond against this particular item (figure-1). On the other hand, 27% respondents argues that ‘noise can change hearing ability, either temporarily or permanently depending on the time of exposure”. The same observation was recorded by many authors21. However, Juang et al.20 2010 recorded that the noise level above 85 dB is danger Research Journal of Management Sciences ________________________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1171Vol. 2(6), 17-21, June (2013) Res. J. Management Sci.International Science Congress Association 18 in working place. According to Berglund et al.22 reported the noise level 55 dB(A) is sufficient to cause serious annoyance in outdoor environment. In addition, night time noise greater than 40 dB (A) has been suggested to potentially lead to sleep interferance23. The generations of noise from different surceases especially from the motor vehicles, which are a very significant part of the urban environment, are an important source of noise emission, contributing 55% to the total noise24-25. Study results revealed that about 78.83% respondents feel unpleasant from vehicle horn; 16.77% from the noise of Lorries and buses and 4.39% from other sources. Figure-1 Number of response against noise induced hearing loss Only 54 (39 %) respondents correctly responded that minimum noise level permitted to the academic institute, hospitals etc. and 71 (51.4 %) respondents expresses their view incorrectly about minimum level of noise against such instructions. But only 13 persons (9 %) do not respond. It is highly desirable that teacher should have basic knowledge about noise and its effects on community. Again many researchers demonstrated the health effects of environmental noise26-29. But present study results revealed that only 0.007% studied population express that noise pollution can cause cardiovascular disease, disturbance in cognitive develop, sleep disturbance and high blood pressure. But only 14.59% of the total samples agreed that noise only effect on blood pressure (figure-2 and figure-3). However, blood pressure level (both systolic and diastolic) is a good indicator for assessing an individual who intensely affected by vehicle noise30. The generation of noise from the different sources can cause unpleasant especially from the vehicle horn. About 78.83 % respondents correctly respond that vehicle noise is mostly caused more unpleasant. However, 16.78% and 4.39% respondent agreed that noise is unpleasant due to lorries/buses and other causes respectively (table-3). This result is quite desirable, because, the increase in the population and in the number of circulating vehicles has lead to an increase in noise pollution31. About 98 % respondents agreed that traffic noise can cause irritation in urban area (table-3). Same is endorsed by many researchers and they reported that road traffic is the most predominant and most generalized sources in urban areas32-33. The results of our questionnaires also showed that 94.16% of responded believed their sleep has been interfered by the vehicle noise during night (table-3). However, it is interesting that about 62.04% of total respondents express their views that noise can adversely affects on hearing loss. Noise induced hearing loss, which may be temporary or permanent depending on the time of exposure34-36. However, excessive noise may cause severe sleep disturbance, fatigue and irritation due to community noise37. Figure-2 Response against noise interference in different time interval Figure-3 Number of response against noise induced disease �85dB85dBJust 85dBNo response% of respondentTime 1020304050607080NightAfternoonEveningMorning% of respondentTime acbb 10203040506070 % of respondentDisease bccb Research Journal of Management Sciences ________________________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1171Vol. 2(6), 17-21, June (2013) Res. J. Management Sci.International Science Congress Association 19 Table-1 WHO guidelines for community noise46 Environment Critical Health Effect Sound level dB(A) Time hours Outdoor living areas Annoyance 50-55 16 Indoor dwellings Speech intelligibility 35 16 Bedrooms Sleep disturbance 30 8 School classrooms Disturbance of communication 35 During class Industrial, commercial and traffic areas Hearing impairment 70 24 Music through earphones Hearing impairment 85 1 Ceremonies and entertainment Hearing impairment 100 4 Table -2 Non parametric test with respect to physiological parameter of bus and truck drivers Parameters Male trainee teacher Female trainee teacher X 2 Significant level Basic concept about noise 29 31 1.516 NS 8(D) 3(D) 0.096 NS Number (D): deputed male and Female Table-3 Response against different health related information Variables Unpleasant Response Sleep in noise environment Traffic noise cause irritation Noise is detrimental for health Vehicle Horn 78.83% Yes 94.16% 97.81% 94.89% Lorries/Buses 16.78% No 5.84% 2.19% 5.11% Others 4.39% --- --- --- --- The interference in hearing loss is derived from excessive exposure to high-amplitude sounds and is selectively impairs the higher frequencies that carries the majority of information in speech sounds38. Probably the severest effects of noise on human health can be observed in the so-called vibroacoustic disease. Which can results from long term presence of loud (above 90 dB SPL) low frequency (below 500 Hz) noise in some occupational settings39. Present finding also indicate that 94.16% respondent unable to sleep in noise environment (table-3). It is well known that uninterrupted sleep is known to be a prerequisite for good physiological and mental functioning of healthy persons. However, there are many factors responsible for sleep disturbance, among them, the intensity of the noise is considered to be the most vulnerable factor. It is related to sleep disturbance, with more intense stimuli awakening people more often40. For a good sleep, it is believed that the indoor sound pressure levels should not exceed approximately 30 dB (A) for continuous noise41. Conclusion From the above finding it can be suggested that both teachers and deputed trainee teachers has basic idea about noise. But they have no any clear-cut idea about ill effect of noise on human being. Less than 1 % of studied population expressed that noise pollution can cause cardiovascular disease disturbance in sleep and cognitive development etc. moreover variable response was received against the upper limit of noise which may cause hearing loss, minimum level of noise permitted to academic institute, hospital etc. therefore it is highly recommended that school authority should take initiative to conduct one day seminar, symposium, workshop on different topics of pollution such as noise pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, cell phone radiation etc. so that all branches of teachers along with student community can take part in such programme. In this way the knowledge about pollution can be enhanced. Acknowledgements Authors are thankful to Indian Council of Social Science Research (Ref. 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