O ruído ambiental na Cidade de Águas Claras -DF : percepção e realidade

Abstract

Environmental noise is currently considered one of the ills that afflict the populations of urban centers. Human health can be greatly affected by their psychological and physiological effects ranging from stress and loss of sleep, hormonal and cardiorespiratory problems. This study aimed to examine the levels of sound pressure and discomfort caused to the people of Aguas Claras-DF. Measurements of sound pressure levels were held in 25 locations around the city, and questionnaires were applied in 286 randomly selected households, to investigate the perception of noise, their types and noise nuisance caused. Sound pressure levels Leq were detected in 98% of places of measurement, and exceeded those established by regulatory standards. Levels Leq values were between 50.4 and 72.2 dB. The evolution of noise, 48% of respondents claim to have perceived it increase in the last 6 months. The buildings / works were considered for 80% of respondents as the main source of discomfort, with 72% classified as very to extremely noisy. Comparisons by gender, the female was more sensitive and more affected by noise from construction / works and road traffic. With respect to the instrument adopted for analysis of discomfort, their adaptation proved to be adequate, which is considered reliable. Thus, the town of Aguas Claras by being exposed to high sound pressure levels, experiences a process of degradation of sonic quality with potential for significant inconvenience to its population. Highlight the possibilities of escalation, caused by the trend of increasing population density and intensification in the traffic flow.