ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 795

The presence of such environmental noise in bigger areas and countries impose a bigger risk and
negative effect on the population; this includes health effects such as hearing loss (due to the
noise and disturbed sleep) and social behavior effects which are caused by such noises directly or
indirectly. Nevertheless, just as many other negative effects, there have been assured ways that
has been developed to challenge and reduce the effect.
Firstly, measure the noise level; the way to monitor or measure noises is through decibels. For
example, talking with a normal tone would have a level of 45 to 65 decibels. It is not always the
measurement of decibels that we must note, but also the frequency of a noise. It has been examined numerously and shown that the frequency of a noise, precisely background noise such as
ventilations or air conditioning, can have an effect on the productivity of a person.
Secondly, we can see that the effects of such noises are numerous and different and may ultimately affect health in many ways. Such ways include sleeping problems, hearing issues, and coronary heart disease which in turn may cause diabetes, high blood pressure, and even obesity. At
first, we might not see major negative effects but when we dig deeper, it is obvious that one issue
leads to another and the overall effect is unhealthy and catastrophic (Damian and Fosalau 2011).
Lastly, taking control of noise literally, this can be controlled at the source of generation itself by
using techniques like the following:
• Dropping Noise Levels from Domestic Areas: domestic noise impending from television
sets, mixers, cooking operations, tape recorders, radio and washing machines can be minimized judicious and selective operation. In addition, using carpets or any sound absorbing
material will lead to reduction in generated noise.
• Selection of Machinery: Selecting optimum machinery equipment and/or tools reduces surplus noise levels. For example, selecting a category of machinery or equipment which generates less sound due to its superior technology.
• Machinery Maintenance: Appropriate maintenance and lubrication of machinery - vehicles
and all other equipment which may exert loud noise if not regularly taken care off - will reduce
noise levels. For example, it is a common understanding that vehicle parts will loosen up while
on an uneven path on a journey, if those parts are not correctly fitted back they will generate
noise immediately. As a result, this will cause annoyance to the driver and/or passenger. Equally, machines will cause un-delightful noises if not properly handled and maintained making it
essential not only for noise control but also to improve the product life cycle of the machine.
• Vibration Control: Materials vibrate in different forms, some which may be gentle like the
massage chair but many go viral like the demolishing trucks. This can be controlled using various forms of appropriate foundations, rubber padding and other vibration prevention methods and tools; in a way to reduce noise levels caused.
• Low Voice Speaking and Prohibiting Loud Speakers: Speaking with low voice and also not
permitting the use of loud speakers in selected inhabitant locations can lead to a great reduction in noise in the environment. For example, India metro cities became very much stringent
on using loud speakers and this is totally controlled by specialist in the Urban Administration
(Ababsa 2014).
Thermal Comfort
Indoor environmental quality and its effect on people in terms of productivity and/or comfort can
be studied thoroughly using data and resources from building occupants. Throughout the last
few decades, much research has been conducted to analyze and understand the whole picture in
terms of comfort; specifically on the well-being and health at the workplace. These studies have

Air quality and sources of noise in residential buildings in the UAE

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