Spatial Distribution of Noise from Religious Houses in Rumu-Okwachi Community, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Noise from 12 religious structures was mapped in the Rumu-Okwachi community. Religious noise in residential settings is a growing concern. Noise levels for daytime religious activity were monitored before, during, and after religious sessions at 15 sample sites defined by superimposing 150-by-150-meter gridlines. The findings showed that during religious activities, the highest equivalent noise level (Leq) was 75.5 (dBA) at sampling point 13, whereas during religious non-activities, it was 63.3 (dBA) at point 7. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed p<0.05 that the average daily noise level differed across sample sites. The highest peak noise level (L10), intermediate noise level (L50), and background noise level (L90) were recorded on Sundays during religious events. The geographical distribution of Leq values at all sample sites verified the noise map's prediction of higher Leq values during religious occasions, with Sunday having the highest Leq values of 69.2054 to 75.544. (dBA). The noise indices were compared to the WHO's recommended noise exposure limit, which showed that during religious events, the Leq values were higher than the WHO's recommended noise standard, with the maximum noise pollution level (NPL) being 96.17 (dBA). This suggests that residents of this neighborhood may experience bothersome noise levels.