Evaluation of Noise Pollution Level of Selected Orthodox Church in Khana Metropolis of Rivers States, Nigeria

Abstract

The Evaluation of noise pollution level of selected Orthodox Church in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been carried out using sound level meter (S/N 18017328) with range of 30-130 dBA. with the aim of evaluating the noise pollution level of the church during Sunday service and its effects on members. Fifteen (15) strategic sections of the church was considered for the measurement of noise pollution level during Sunday service. The obtained average value of the noise pollution level of selected sampling points within the church during the Sunday service is 95.6 dBA, 96.5 dBA, 84.7 dBA and 89.6 dBA for Praise time, offering time, Bible reading time and Preaching time respectively. The obtained mean value is all higher than the stipulated standard of 55.0 dBA for residential area as recommended by NESREA. Higher percentage of the noise pollution level was obtained with the Choir and Musical sections of the church. These higher noise percentages within these two sections of the church might be due to it closeness to the noise generating sources within the church while the least percentage was obtained at the children section of the church. This high noise pollution level within the church during service hours’ cloud be due to the positioning of the noise generating sources. Over exposure of Church members to noise pollution during the church service might lead to hearing impairment or hearing lost and other related health effects. Therefore, the church should be protected with noise absorbing equipment, for conducive Sunday service and also to reduced other related health risk on members.