WIA Noise Pollution Standard Guide

Sound is a mechanical wave that propagates through a medium (typically air) as a pressure variation. When these pressure waves reach our ears, they cause vibrations in the eardrum that our brain interprets as sound. Noise is commonly defined as unwanted or disturbing sound that interferes with normal activities, conversation, or sleep.

Sound waves are characterized by three primary properties: amplitude (loudness), frequency (pitch), and duration (time). The amplitude determines how loud a sound is perceived, measured in decibels (dB). Frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz), determines whether a sound is high-pitched or low-pitched. Human hearing typically ranges from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, though this range decreases with age.