Jakartans remain deaf to noise pollution

Jakartans remain deaf to noise pollution

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): Many people in the capital are getting used to
deafening noise erupting from loudspeakers in shopping areas in
Blok M, South Jakarta, or to the roaring sounds emitted by bemo
(three-wheeled public transport vans) or bajaj (three-wheeled
motorized pedicabs) at Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta.

Without realizing it, people have become the victims of noise
pollution, which could damage their eardrums, almost every day.

And the abuse to one's eardrums sometimes starts very early in
the day.

One might jump out of the bed at 5 a.m. hearing bread sellers
screaming roti! or gas sellers shouting gas! through
loudspeakers.

In the car, on the way to the office, you might be jolted out
of your seat by loud honks from other motorists as if the horn
was blown right in your ears.

Even though there is noise all around us, it is not widely
recognized as pollution. The common people do not treat it like
other forms of pollution, such as air pollution and water
pollution, or pollution resulting from solid waste or liquid
waste.

Syahril, a shoes seller at Blok M, seemed surprised when he
was told that loud music emitted by nearby shopping centers'
loudspeakers was in fact another kind of pollution.

"I'm used to it (loud music) ...," he simply said.

The loud music has forced him to talk louder to his customers.
"Sometimes at home, I still talk louder than I should until my
wife reminds me," laughed Syahril, a junior high school graduate.

People's unawareness of noise pollution is largely contributed
to by the lack of campaigns by both the government and non-
governmental organizations.

They are mostly devoted their work of raising public awareness
to other kinds of pollutions, leaving noise pollution behind.

Chairwoman of the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi),
Emmy Hafild, said that noise pollution is not fully addressed
because its risks are considered lower than other types of
pollution.

"We still concentrate on high-risk pollutions which can have
an immediate impacts on people, such as causing sickness or
death," Emmy told The Jakarta Post.

She said Walhi has yet to consider to specifically include
noise pollution in its programs.

"We haven't thought about it. Here, high-risk pollutions are
still not fully addressed," Emmy said.

The Environmental Impact Management Agency's director for air
pollution control, Margana Koesoemadinata, revealed that the
minister of environment has issued ministerial decrees No.
49/1996 and No. 48/1996 related to noise pollution.

But the decrees are mostly intended to control noise levels
around industrial sites, he added.

Amid the existence of the decrees, he admitted that noise
pollution is not as widely known as other types of pollution.

"We address pollution based on a priority scale. Noise
pollution impact is not immediate, that's why we mostly
concentrate on other types of pollution," said Margana, who
conducted a survey in 1992 on noise pollution in five Indonesian
cities when he was a researcher at the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences.

The survey found that noise pollution in residential areas,
hospitals, bus stations, shopping centers and recreational areas
had reached a very high level.

Margana said it took four years before the minister finally
issued decrees on noise pollution.

"The regulations regarding noise pollution are still loose. So
far, industrial sites have already paid heed to the regulations
to meet requirements to obtain an ISO-14000," he said.

ISO is an international accreditation system; the 14000
certificate acknowledges that recipient companies have met
certain environmental standards by incorporating environmental
management systems, environmental audits, labeling and
conservation evaluations. The series was introduced in view of
the increasing prominence given to environmental considerations
in international trade.

The most recent survey on noise pollution conducted by the
city administration's office of urban and environment analysis in
November and December 1996 found that the average level of noise
pollution in Jakarta exceeded the standard level.

For instance, noise levels on Jl. Thamrin close to the
President Hotel, Central Jakarta, were recorded at 70 decibels,
while shopping areas in Blok M recorded noise levels at 81.6
decibels.

At the Kalibata Indah housing complex, Fatmawati Hospital and
Kampung Rambutan bus terminal, the recorded noise level was 55
decibels, while the Kelapa Gading apartments, areas around
Fatahillah museum and Taman Impian recreational park, North
Jakarta, recorded noise levels at 56.6 decibels.

According to the survey, the criteria of which was determined
by the city administration, it was found that noise levels in
residential areas, office sites, public facilities, industrial
sites and recreational facilities have exceeded World Health
Organization (WHO) standard levels by about five decibels.

According to a recent WHO study, noise levels of 75 decibels
can cause serious health problems, such as lack of concentration,
rest, sleep and disturbance of communication between individuals.

The study also warned that high noise levels may lead to
serious pathological reactions in the human body. WHO has fixed
average noise level at 55 decibels for community and urban areas.

It further warned that if noise levels in occupational and
industrial areas exceeded 75 decibels, there was a "predictable
risk of hearing impairment".

Other countries, however, have paid more attention toward
noise pollution much earlier.

Asiaweek weekly magazine reported in March 1993 that New Delhi
introduced noise restrictions on public loudspeaker systems,
aircraft operations, railways and construction sites in January
1993, while in Bangkok, police periodically test traffic noise,
and the Singapore government recommended a national campaign to
educate the public about noise pollution related with karaoke
bars and community functions.

Noise itself was recognized as a pollutant in the Environment
Protection Act of 1984 and the Central Pollution Control Board
has fixed standards for noise levels for the city depending on
the area.

Under its regulations, in "silent zones" such as hospitals the
ceiling on noise has been fixed at 40 decibels at night and 50
decibels during the day. Residential areas are allowed a noise
level of 55 decibels to 65 decibels. Markets 65 decibels to 75
decibels and industrial areas, a limit of 80 decibels.