Determination of Ambient Noise Levels and Perception of Residents in Halls at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

Environmental noise pollution generated from industrial and transportactivities in Ghana have received considerable attention from regulatorsand policy makers unlike rising noise levels in residential settings.This study measured ambient noise levels in four halls of residencein the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana to ascertain compliancewith permissible limits. Questionnaires were also used to evaluatethe possible non-auditory noise effects. The results indicate thatthe same sex halls (Adeyhe and Casford) were within the day and nightpermissible noise limit of the Ghana Environmental Protection Agencyof 55 dB and 50 dB respectively. However, the Oguaa and Valco Halls(mixed halls) were non-compliant. Noise generated within the functionalunits ranged from 30dB to 70dB, with Adehye Hall recording the lowestfor both day (49dB) and night (45dB). Valco Hall recorded the highestnoise level for both day and night: 66dB and 60dB respectively. OguaaHall, the largest on campus, had 60dB and 55dB for day and night.Casford Hall, the only male hall recorded 54dB and 48dB respectivelyfor day and night readings. This is unexpected as most students considerCasford to be noisy. Most of the participants complained that thenoise affects their studies and sleep in the halls, but surprisingly,majority of them (73%) were not of the view that reducing it couldpotentially make the halls more habitable. Association between hallsof residence and annoyance levels was investigated. The P-Value (0.180)was greater than the alpha value (0.05). Consequently we failed toreject the null hypothesis and concluded that, there is no associationbetween the halls of residence and level of irritation of studentsin the halls.