Avaliação de ruído ambiental em um complexo de bares na cidade de Curitiba - Paraná

Abstract

Sound pollution is one of the most embracing kind of pollution after atmospheric and water. That is why it becomes a public health problem. Environmental and occupational noise can cause harm to human health such as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) or acoustic trauma. This paper has the aim to evaluate the noise generated by nightclubs located in the city center of Curitiba - Paraná. The site is heavily trafficked by people who remain mostly on sidewalks generating noises that increase sound pressure levels in the vicinity. The methodology followed NBR 10151/00 to assess the well-being of the surrounding community and NR-15 for occupational evaluation. According to the zoning plan of Curitiba, the area is classified as residential and presented sound pressure levels around 75 dB (A) for the measurements made in front of the nightclubs, 73 dB (A) for measurements inside the establishments and 63 dB (A) for those measured around the residential building. The values of environmental noise found indicate danger to human health and the main source identified was vehicular traffic. Concerning the occupational noise level, the legal limit was not exceeded. Measures such as improving soundproofing of nightclubs, changing windows to the ones with double or triple glass in homes, changing the pavement of traffic lanes, raising drivers' awareness of vehicle maintenance and the implementation of slow traffic lanes could improve noise pollution in the region.