INDUSTRIAL NOISE LEVELS IN ABA URBAN AREA OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the industrial noise levels in Aba Urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Four
objectives were pursued to achieve the aim of the study which is industrial noise levels in Aba
Urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The needed data were sourced through primary and
secondary methods. Noise level values were collected through measurements; while other
primary data were collected through the use of key informants interviews and questionnaire
administration. Secondary data were sourced from journals, seminar papers, textbooks, newspape
rs and internet. Noise level measurements was carried out in twenty selected industries, which
comprises small, medium and large scaled industries. The data collected were analyzed with the
use of inferential statistics (Regression, Cluster Analysis and ANOVA) and descriptive statistics
(totals, mean, percentages and graphs). Regression was used to show the trend in industrial noise
over time. The industries selected were grouped into 3 clusters based on the sound levels
generated. Also, ANOVA was used to test if there were significant variations in the noise levels
generated by the identified clusters of industries. The results of the analysis revealed that Aba is
exceedingly a noisy urban area and that industrial noise levels varied spatially and temporally
within the three industrial clusters in the urban landscape. John Chuks Metal and Guinness Plc
returned the highest and lowest noise levels of 95.7 dB and 70.7 dB. Similarly, noise varied
temporally as John Chuks Metals had the highest noise levels of 99.2 dB and 98.1 dB in
November during the morning and evening periods respectively and 95.5 dB in December during
the evening period. Emma Best Steel had the highest noise levels of 100.3 dB and 99.3 dB
respectively in November and December during the afternoon periods. Ceejay Steel Co. had the
highest noise level in December during the morning period. Furthermore, Guinness Plc had the
lowest noise levels of 71.5 dB, 70.9 dB and 70.3 dB in November during the evening period and
December during the morning and evening periods respectively. New Erra Foods and G&C
Sachet Water had the lowest noise levels of 64.8 dB and 68.7 dB respectively during the morning
and afternoon periods in November and Tonimas Oil & Gas also had the lowest noise levels of
72.1 dB during the evening period in December respectively. Measured noise values were
compared with the WHO and EC allowed limits for industries and the results showed that noise
exceeded the allowed standards. The implications of these findings were analyzed and several
suggestions were proposed for industrial noise control and management in Aba Urban.