Context: Noise is considered one of the most pervasive and harmful agents in crowded cities. The aim of this study was to determine the exposure rate to noise pollution of residents on the main streets of Zahedan city in southeastern Iran and the knowledge and attitudes of these residents concerning noise.Evidence Acquisition: Noise was measured for three consecutive weeks in the October-November areas of the city in 31 test locations, using a CEL-440 Classic sound level meter and analyzer during the noisiest hours of the day (07:00 to 22:00). Using a validated questionnaire, data were collected from 400 subjects to estimate their knowledge’s and attitudes about noise pollution.Results: The average noise level in the main city streets during the day was 75 ± 2.96 d B. The mean age of participants was 31.9 ± 11 years. Approximately 82.3% of the subjects tested reported that street noise pollution was too high, and 48% suggested that the best way to decrease city noise pollution was to enhance people’s knowledge of the problem. Furthermore, 65.8% of the subjects stated that street noise is a cause of stress. There was a significant association between noise levels and subjects’ sleepiness (P<0.05). In addition, noise pollution in Zahedan city streets was found to be higher than standard levels.Conclusions: It was concluded that appropriate traffic management and a health promotion program are essential for increasing the residents’ understanding about how to improve the current noise pollution situation.

Noise is defined as unwanted or objectionable sound. Human susceptibility to noise varies in terms of intensity, altitude, timbre of sound, personal sensibility, age, and history of ear disorder. Noise pollution which is the result of heterogeneous and uncontrolled developments of cities is one the serious problems in large cities of Iran. Although noise pollution in Kerman (located in southeast of Iran) is not as serious as that of large cities in Iran, it can be considered as one of the elements which have changed Kermans life pattern. In this study, conducted in 1999, in order to assess noise pollution level in Kerman, 13 stations were selected and the levels of Lmax, LAV, L99, L90, L50, L10 were measured daily for 156 days. Results, in all stations, indicated that sound level in Kerman exceeds national standard level and WHO guidelines. Therefore, it is essential to take some actions in order to control Kerman noise pollution with some undesirable impacts.

Noise discomfort is one of the important unpleasant physical parameters in open-plan offices. This study was aimed to investigate the status of noise pollution and its effects on subjective fatigue and noise annoyance among bank staffs. The equivalent sound pressure level (Lpeq. T) of 100 bank employees was determined during the working time. Moreover, the sound pressure level (SPL) in client waiting areas and in the outer area of the studied banks was measured. For evaluating the mental fatigue, the standard Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) questionnaire was used. Noise Annoyance Scale (NAS) questionnaire was also applied to study workplace noise annoyance and the subjective impressions of noise intensity. The mean Lpeq. T in the staff workstations, client waiting areas, and the outside area of the studied banks were determined 78. 72, 61. 14, and 81. 32 dB (A), respectively. The mean values of the preferred noise criterion (PNC) and speech interference level (SIL) indices were 58. 22 and 70. 25, respectively. The results revealed that the feeling of mental fatigue and noise annoyance among bank employees were significantly affected by the Lpeq. T, level (r=0. 84 and 0. 90, respectively). The findings indicated that the background noise in openplan offices increased the PNC and SIL indices which can increase the mental discomfort of staff and decrease their job performance in cognitive tasks. Reflective and rigid surfaces increased the SPL scale in the interior area of banks, and therefore it is necessary to modify the internal surfaces in these open-plan offices.