How Loud Is Too Loud for KP?

News Desk

PESHAWAR: The relentless blare of vehicle horns, roaring engines and loudspeakers has become part of everyday life in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, raising a pressing question: how loud is too loud for public health and everyday life?

From disrupting businesses to disturbing sleep, noise pollution is increasingly affecting livelihoods and well-being across the province.

For Kamran Khan, who has spent the past two decades in the cosmetics business, the noise at Peshawar’s bustling Karkhano Market has become unbearable.

At around 10am, instead of standing outside his shop to attract customers, he waits for them inside, seeking some relief from the constant din that has made running his business increasingly difficult.

His unusual approach to running a business reflects a problem that has affected both his livelihood and his health.

“I cannot stand inside my shop because of the noise,” Kamran says. “We have invested between Rs6 million and Rs17 million in our businesses to earn a living, but we have had to change locations five or six times because of the noise. It has caused substantial financial losses. Now the road is getting closer to the market, traffic has increased, and it has become almost impossible for me to work here.”

Kamran’s experience is not an isolated one. Noise pollution, once largely associated with major urban centres, is increasingly affecting smaller cities, towns and rural communities across the province.

When noise forces businesses to close

In Bajaur district, Sher Alam Safi, who operated a medical store along the main Peshawar-Bajaur Highway, eventually shut down his business after struggling for three years with excessive noise.

He had established the store away from the main commercial centres, hoping that a location on the outskirts of his village would provide a more manageable working environment. However, the constant noise from passing vehicles and traffic made it increasingly difficult to continue.

Safi now tries to complete his daily errands as quickly as possible whenever he visits the market.

“Noise creates mental stress and can contribute to various health problems. Peace and relaxation are essential for ordinary people, but when we come to the market to earn a living, there is no peace,” he says.

“The noise also disturbs our children. Vehicles entering the markets have extremely loud pressure horns that make it feel as though the brain will explode.”

His account highlights how excessive noise can extend beyond physical discomfort, affecting people’s ability to work, concentrate and maintain a reasonable quality of life.

A growing environmental threat

Noise pollution is an often-overlooked form of environmental pollution. Although there is no single universal definition, it generally refers to unwanted or excessive sound that interferes with daily activities, causes discomfort or poses risks to human health.

Unlike other forms of pollution, noise is not always visible, and its effects can be difficult to recognise immediately. Yet prolonged exposure to excessive sound can contribute to hearing damage, sleep disturbances, stress and other health problems.

Common sources include road and railway traffic, aircraft, old rickshaws, industrial machinery, construction equipment, commercial loudspeakers and music played at excessive volumes. Even household noise can become a source of conflict when it repeatedly disturbs neighbours.

For people who spend their working lives in noisy environments, the consequences can be particularly severe.

Ghulam Muhammad, a daily-wage labourer working in Peshawar’s Factory Market, says the constant noise leaves him mentally exhausted and unable to concentrate.

“Our work involves carrying goods from one market to another, so we are exposed to noise throughout the day. The sound here is so intense that even standing for ten minutes becomes difficult,” he says.

“The road is narrow, and one loud sound follows another. When I return home, my mind remains disturbed. Sometimes we take refuge in a corner of the factories to rest because there is electricity there, while there is no electricity at home.”

Muhammad says the noise affects not only workers but also women and children, depriving families of the peace they need to rest and recover.

“We have become accustomed to this situation. No matter how much we complain, the noise does not stop. People are aware that it is excessive, but they feel there is no escape,” he says.

He also believes that persistent noise increases irritability and contributes to arguments among people who are already exhausted and stressed.

Exceed from limits

Jehangir Shah, head of the Environment Department at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in Peshawar, identifies pressure horns, commercial sound systems and construction machinery as major contributors to the problem.

According to Shah, noise levels exceeding 65 decibels are generally considered excessive in the context of the applicable standards for commercial areas. He says his surveys have found elevated noise levels at several locations in Peshawar, particularly during peak traffic hours.

These include Ramdas, Speen Jamaat Chowk, Board Bazaar, Soor Pul, Tehkal, Haji Camp, the Factory Market, Kohati and Saddar. The reported peak periods include 7am to 9am and 1pm to 3pm.

The reported measurements indicate a substantial gap between acceptable noise levels and the conditions experienced by people working and living in the city’s busiest areas.

Noise levels across Peshawar

Noise levels in Peshawar’s commercial areas reportedly range from 70 to 88 decibels, exceeding the stated National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) limit of 65 decibels. In designated silence zones near hospitals and educational institutions, noise levels frequently rise above 60 decibels, surpassing the reported permissible limits of 45 to 50 decibels.

The city’s busiest locations, including Firdous, Qissa Khwani, Stadium Chowk, Hashtnagri, Karkhano Market and Speen Jamaat Chowk, have reportedly recorded average noise levels of 84 to 86 decibels, raising concerns about the potential impact on public health.

Such measurements raise concerns about prolonged exposure, particularly among workers who spend several hours a day in these environments. The figures should, however, be assessed against the relevant measurement methods, sampling periods and applicable standards for each location.

Traffic wardens among the most vulnerable

Traffic police personnel are among those most consistently exposed to urban noise. They work close to moving vehicles, frequently encounter pressure horns and remain in noisy environments for extended periods.

Shah says a survey he conducted indicated that hearing problems were common among traffic wardens. Family members of some personnel reportedly observed that they spoke unusually loudly at home, even when they did not realise they were raising their voices.

Such observations may indicate hearing difficulties, although individual cases require proper medical and audiological assessment.

Occupational exposure to excessive noise can damage hearing over time, particularly when adequate protective measures are unavailable. The risks underscore the need for regular hearing assessments and appropriate workplace protection for traffic police, industrial workers and others whose jobs involve sustained exposure.

Noise pollution spreads beyond major cities

Peshawar is not the only city facing the problem. Growing populations, increasing vehicle numbers and expanding commercial activity have also contributed to rising noise levels in other urban centres of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Mardan, Mingora in Swat, Dera Ismail Khan and Abbottabad.

The problem is also becoming more visible in rural districts such as Bajaur, where the use of loudspeakers, tape recorders and small public-address systems for commercial purposes has become common.

As settlements expand and traffic increases, communities that once enjoyed relatively quiet surroundings are experiencing many of the same disturbances associated with large cities.

The growing use of construction machinery and commercial sound systems adds to the pressure, particularly in areas where monitoring and enforcement may be limited.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly directed various industrial units to install noise barriers to reduce sound emissions. Such measures can help, but their effectiveness depends on implementation, monitoring and compliance.

The hidden cost to human health

Scientists and public-health experts have long warned that excessive environmental noise is more than an inconvenience. Depending on its intensity, duration and frequency, exposure can affect hearing, disturb sleep, increase stress and interfere with concentration.

Traffic noise can also contribute to nervous tension, restlessness and irritability, making it harder for people to relax after work.

For Kamran, the effects continue even after the working day ends.

“Noise hurts us badly, but the government is not paying sufficient attention to this important issue,” he says. “As evening approaches, the noise often increases. When we return home exhausted, the constant pressure on our minds makes it difficult even to talk calmly with our children.”

The problem is particularly concerning for people who have little opportunity to escape noisy environments. Shopkeepers, street vendors, transport workers, traffic wardens and factory employees may remain exposed for hours, while their homes may offer little relief if they are located near busy roads or commercial areas.

Children, older people and patients can be especially vulnerable to the effects of disturbed sleep and persistent noise. Hospitals and educational institutions therefore require particular attention to ensure that their surroundings remain suitable for treatment, learning and rest.

Enforcement gaps

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency has taken steps to address industrial noise, including directing certain industrial units to install noise barriers and requiring environmental assessments for new factories and commercial projects, according to the information provided by local experts.

However, tackling noise pollution requires more than assessments and official instructions. Effective enforcement of environmental standards, routine noise monitoring and action against unnecessary pressure horns and excessive commercial sound systems are also essential.

Urban planning can play a significant role. Better traffic management, appropriate zoning, improved road infrastructure and the use of sound barriers around industrial facilities can help reduce exposure.

Authorities can also work with transport operators, traders, market associations and local communities to identify the most affected areas and develop practical solutions.

Silence Needs Collective Action

Experts say the responsibility for controlling noise pollution cannot rest with the government alone. Public cooperation and changes in everyday behaviour are equally important.

Drivers should avoid unnecessary use of horns, particularly pressure horns that produce extremely loud sounds. Commercial establishments should keep music and public-address systems at reasonable levels, while construction activities should be managed to minimise disturbance to nearby residents.

The use of fireworks during weddings and other celebrations should also be restricted, particularly late at night or near hospitals and residential neighbourhoods. Households can help by keeping television and music volumes low and respecting the need for quiet among neighbours.

These measures may appear small, but widespread adoption could make a meaningful difference to the quality of life in communities affected by excessive noise.

Public awareness campaigns could educate drivers, traders, students and residents about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure. Workplaces with high noise levels should also provide suitable protection and regular hearing assessments for employees.

Ultimately, reducing noise pollution requires a combination of stronger enforcement, better urban planning, responsible business practices and individual accountability.

International Noise Day

International Noise Awareness Day is observed annually on the last Wednesday of April to highlight the effects of excessive noise on human health and well-being.

The initiative encourages communities to recognise noise in their surroundings, adopt practical measures to reduce it and protect hearing. Some participating organisations also observe a brief period of silence to help people become more conscious of the sounds around them.

The broader message is relevant to communities across Pakistan, where noise is increasingly treated as an unavoidable part of daily life rather than an environmental problem that can be addressed.

For residents and workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the challenge is no longer simply to tolerate the noise but to reduce it before its effects become more widespread.

As Kamran and Muhammad’s experiences illustrate, excessive noise can undermine livelihoods, disturb family life and erode the peace that people need to live and work. Addressing it requires recognising that a quieter environment is not a luxury but an important component of public health and quality of life.

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