Evaluation of noise levels in a community close to an industrial building

Abstract

When the industry is placed in an urban area, the noise appears as one of the environmental impacts and one of the main reasons for neighborhood complaints. It was aimed to assess the levels of sound pressure that the neighboring community of a industrial building located in Belo Horizonte is exposed. Furthermore, noise measurements were carried out in a preschool which borders the concerned industry. The main sources of noise arising from industrial activities are related to the movement of heavy vehicles that stand outside the hangars and on the right side of the industry, where there are the closest homes to the enterprise. It is concluded that the sound pressure levels that the surrounding community is exposed are at odds with current legislation, particularly at the monitoring points located in the right side of the industry. In addition, the measuring point at the preschool was also proved to be quite critical, since the noise levels at this point are considered high by the NBR 10.151/2000. Considering this scenario, it is important to consider the compatibility or incompatibility of different uses in the urban planning of large cities.