Noise pollution at Wasit University. Confiscation. Excitement. Addressed.

Abstract

Educational institutions, including Wasit University, the study area, are exposed to noise pollution and its associated negative effects on staff and their performance, as well as on students and their academic achievement. Wasit University was selected to measure its noise levels and compare them with the EPA permissible standard. Three observations were taken using a sound level meter (MK09) (8:30-10:30 AM), (10:30 AM-12:30 PM), and (12:30-2:30 PM) in various locations across the university's colleges, as shown in Map (1), in addition to locations outside the college buildings (courts and green spaces). The study results show that the highest noise level recorded was at site (S2) (classroom corridors for students of the College of Education for Humanities) between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, at an average of 84.7 dB. The lowest noise level recorded was at site (S5) (Courtyard of the College of Agriculture), at an average of 61.8 dB. The study and observations taken at the sites show that they exceeded the permissible limits according to the Environmental Protection Organization's standard (30-40) db inside the educational building and outside the college building according to the standard (45-55) db. The high level of this pollution inside the educational institution, according to the data monitored, causes mental distraction for male and female students and loss of concentration for many or most of them, in addition to the effects and tensions that afflict and affect their auditory, mental, psychological, nervous and sensory systems. This environmental impact applies to the performance of the teaching, administrative and technical cadres within the University of Wasit , which requires decision-makers to develop important solutions and decisions to reduce the severity of this damage to which people are exposed within the university campus.