Assessment of Environmental Noise in Liceo De Cagayan University Main Campus: Basis for Sustainable Intervention

The study sought to determine the environmental noise quality in Liceo de Cagayan University main campus.  Eight areas were selected including the Entrance Gate hallway, Library façade chapel area, South Academic Cluster (SAC) building façade, parking area near the Arts and Science Building (ASB), Riverside Canteen, Heritage Building (HB), and North Academic Cluster (NAC) building façade.  Spot determination of noise levels was conducted using a noise meter with a monitoring range between 30-130 dB.  The data obtained were tabulated and compared with World Health Organization standards.  Results showed that the environmental noise levels in all areas were at an annoyance level indicating noise pollution and is considered a hindrance to community learning resulting to lack of focus and concentration. High noise levels were attributed to the vehicular noise both inside and outside the university and human noise generated in the aforementioned areas.  Differences in noise levels were caused by the varying influx of students, staff and faculty and degree of noise produced.  Recommendations included putting up of noise signages, educating the community on health impacts of noise, periodic monitoring, use of buffer, limiting the number of cars, and implementing enforceable noise policy at the institutional level.

Keywords:  Environmental Noise, annoyance level, community learning, transportation