Construction noise pollution

Noise Pollution Impact

The scientific facts about how the reclamation project will disrupt our peace and quality of life

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On-Site Recycling & Noise

According to the PLB – EIA Report, the proposed reclamation project includes on-site recycling of waste materials excavated from the old landfill (Table 5.10). This recycling process, while intended to reduce external disposal and transportation, poses significant noise pollution for local communities. A maximum of 20 heavy-duty recycling machines (yellow triangles ⚠️ on the map below) will be deployed sequentially—from the landfill, through Fisherman’s Wharf, and reaching Nautilus Bay and Maritime — operating over 10 hours daily, in open-air conditions—drying, sorting,crushing, and processing, waste.

Recycling sites

Source: PLB – EIA Report, Figure 5.27

The Sound of Progress? No, Scientific Evidence Shows Otherwise

The proposed reclamation project threatens to transform the peaceful atmosphere of Karpal Singh Drive into a cacophony of excavation, on-site recycling, reclamation, and construction noise that will last for at least 24 years (PLB – EIA Report, Page 5.16). This isn't just about minor inconvenience—it's about a fundamental degradation of our living environment and quality of life, backed by scientific data and acoustic modeling.

The Hard Numbers: EIA Report Predictions Exceed Safety Limits

According to PLB's own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report(Table 7.67), construction noise is expected to far exceed acceptable levels set by the Department of Environment. The EIA's mathematical modeling (RCNM) predicts alarming noise levels:

At Project Site

85.3 dB(A)

EIA predicted level without control measures
(DOE limit: 65 dB(A))

At Mutiara Idaman 1

75.2 dB(A)

EIA predicted level without control measures
(DOE limit: 65 dB(A))

At Summer Place

74.5 dB(A)

EIA predicted level without control measures
(DOE limit: 65 dB(A))

These noise measurements were obtained using the RCNM (Roadway Construction Noise Model), the same professional modeling software used in environmental impact assessments worldwide. The data clearly shows that even with theoretical noise control measures in place, residents will still suffer significant noise pollution beyond acceptable thresholds.

Understanding Noise Levels: What This Means for Residents

To understand what these numbers mean for your daily life, consider these noise equivalents:

Noise Level Equivalent Sound Impact on Health & Well-being
40-50 dB(A) Quiet office, library Normal conversation possible, suitable for sleeping
60-65 dB(A) Normal conversation, air conditioner Begins to interfere with sleep, affects concentration
70-80 dB(A) Vacuum cleaner, busy traffic Causes stress, difficulty communicating, sleep disturbance
80-90 dB(A) Garbage disposal, lawn mower Damage to hearing with prolonged exposure, significant stress
90+ dB(A) Motorcycle, construction equipment WHO warns of severe health impacts including hearing damage

⚠️ According to the EIA report, the predicted noise levels at Karpal Singh Drive will reach 85.3 dB(A)—equivalent to standing next to a food blender or lawn mower running continuously.

⚠️ The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends noise exposure limits of less than 75 dB(A) for 8-hour exposure to prevent hearing damage.

⚠️ WHO notes that 55 dB(A) or less is the desirable daytime outdoor noise level that won't cause annoyance.

⚠️ The project's noise levels will exceed both WHO recommendations and Malaysia's DOE guidelines for residential areas.

Construction Equipment: The Real Sources of Noise

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report references Table 7.62 (sourced from the United States Environmental Protection Agency) to detail the noise levels measured at 15 meters from commonly used construction equipment. According to WHO, the ranges of noise levels are scientifically significant because sustained exposure above 80 dB(A) can adversely affect health. Below is a summary adapted directly from the EIA:

Equipment Noise Level at 15 m [dB(A)]
Loader (9100-200kW) 83–92
Cranes (Small Mobile) 74–80
Dump Trucks 65–82
Welding Sets (300 A) 69–75
Pile Driver (Air Hammer) 80–101
Chipping Hammer on Steel 63–81
Grinder 63–68
Air Compressor 65–67
Concrete Truck (24T) 69–78
Diesel Generating Sets (250 kVA) 74–81
Dowers 85–87
Jackhammer & Rock Drills 82–98
Saws 74–82

As shown, certain pieces of equipment—especially pile drivers and jackhammers—can easily exceed 100 dB(A) at just 15 meters away, surpassing the recommended limits set by both Malaysia’s Department of Environment and the World Health Organization (WHO). Notably, many machines will operate simultaneously, the cumulative noise may exceed recommended environmental limits for residential areas.

8-hour exposures above 85 dB(A) can contribute to hearing damage, chronic stress, cardiovascular strain, and diminished quality of life. Considering the extended timeline of this proposed reclamation project—up to 24 years—residents would be subject to repeated high-decibel events with minimal respite.

Operational Hours & Duration: A Never-Ending Nightmare

According to the EIA report, construction activities will continue for years with:

  • Construction vehicles operating throughout daylight hours
  • Four waste recycling machines in each Working Platform processing 173 cubic meters of material per hour (Table 5.10). Each machine operating for 10 hours daily, adjacent to residential areas
  • Continuous operations spanning the entire 24-year development timeline

This is not a temporary inconvenience—it represents a fundamental transformation of our community's soundscape for a generation.

Vehicle Noise: The Hidden Factor

The EIA document reveals a crucial but often overlooked aspect of construction noise—vehicle movements. According to the report:

"Exhaust noise from vehicles constitutes the predominant source for normal operation below 55 Km/hr... Diesel trucks are 8 to 10 dBA noisier than gasoline powered ones." (Page 7.239)

"According to the USA Environmental Protection Agency, sound pressure level projected from vehicular movements will fall within a range of 65 dB(A) measured 36 m away." (Page 7.239)

With hundreds of heavy construction vehicles moving materials daily, this constant traffic will create a persistent baseline of noise that exceeds residential standards.

Impact on Health and Quality of Life

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established clear links between noise exposure and health impacts. These noise levels will cause:

Sleep Disruption

The WHO recommends "35 dB(A) or less (bedroom noise limit)" for "No likelihood of sleep disturbance." Even with perfect implementation of all mitigation measures, the projected levels of 41.5-52.3 dB(A) will make normal sleep patterns impossible for nearby residents, leading to chronic fatigue, decreased productivity, and serious health issues over time.

Stress and Mental Health

The EIA report acknowledges that "noise generated from construction activities is usually perceived by most residents as intrusive in nature." (Page 7.240). Scientific studies confirm persistent noise exposure above 65 dB(A) is linked to increased cortisol levels, irritability, poor concentration, and anxiety disorders.

Communication Interference

According to WHO standards cited in the EIA report, "less than 45 dB(A) (background noise)" (Table 7.63) is required "For good speech intelligibility indoors." The projected noise levels will make normal conversation difficult, affecting everything from family discussions to work-from-home productivity.

Property Value Impact

Areas with high noise pollution typically see decreases in property values of 8-10%, according to international real estate studies. This represents a significant financial impact for homeowners who have invested in Karpal Singh Drive properties.

Mitigation Claims vs. Reality

The EIA report makes bold claims about noise reduction measures (Table 7.68), stating they can achieve "noise reduction of 23-33 dBA" through various controls (Page 7.246). However, this is theoretical at best and misleading at worst:

1. These "controlled" levels assume perfect implementation of all mitigation measures—an unrealistic expectation given the project scale.

2. The report provides no enforcement mechanisms to ensure these control measures are implemented and maintained over the 24-year project timeline.

The EIA's proposed mitigation methods (Page 7.246) include:

  • Noise reduction at source (5-10 dBA): Through retrofitting with mufflers and using quieter equipment configurations
  • Noise reduction with barrier protection (15-20 dBA): Using commercial panels lined with sound-absorbing material
  • Noise reduction with distance shielding (3 dBA): Placing equipment further from residential boundaries

The Vertical Dimension: Higher Floors Face Greater Risk

One crucial scientific fact omitted from the Environmental Impact Assessment is the significant limitation of noise barriers for multi-story buildings. Academic research and acoustic science demonstrate that the effectiveness of noise barriers dramatically decreases for receivers located above the barrier height.

⚠️ Barrier panels alone cannot deliver the claimed 15-20 dBA reduction for noise originating above their crest.

⚠️ Residents on higher floors will likely experience noise levels close to the unmitigated values—well above health-based guidelines.

The Science of Sound Diffraction

According to acoustic principles, sound waves behave differently than light—they bend around obstacles through a process called diffraction. This scientific phenomenon means:

Ground Floor

10-15 dBA

Potential noise reduction from barriers
(Still inadequate)

3rd Floor

5-8 dBA

Significantly reduced effectiveness
as height increases

6th Floor+

0-3 dBA

Minimal to no protection
from noise barriers

These figures are derived from multiple peer-reviewed acoustic studies on noise barrier effectiveness in multi-story residential environments. The practical implication is clear: mitigation measures cited in the EIA are substantially overstated for the majority of residents living in apartments above the ground floor.

Line-of-Sight Principle

A fundamental acoustic principle is that noise barriers are most effective when they break the line-of-sight between the noise source and receiver. For elevated residences:

Floor Level Line-of-Sight to Construction Expected Noise Exposure
Ground Floor May be blocked by barriers Reduced but still concerning levels
Middle Floors (3-5) Partial direct line-of-sight Approaching unmitigated levels
Upper Floors (6+) Complete direct line-of-sight Near-full unmitigated noise levels (70-85 dBA)

This acoustic reality means residents in upper floors of properties like Mutiara Idaman, Summer Place, and other high-rise developments along Karpal Singh Drive will experience noise pollution at levels approaching the unmitigated predictions in the EIA—up to 85.3 dB(A) during active construction periods.

Real-World Evidence

Studies in acoustical engineering have consistently demonstrated this principle:

  • Research published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America indicates that noise barriers typically provide only 0-5 dBA reduction for receivers more than 5m above barrier height
  • The International Institute of Noise Control Engineering notes that for every 1m a receiver rises above the "shadow zone" of a barrier, approximately 1.5 dBA of protection is lost
  • Highway noise barrier studies show that by the 4th floor of adjacent buildings, barrier effectiveness decreases by approximately 60-70%

Population Impact Analysis

Given the vertical distribution of residents in the affected area, the implications are severe:

📊 Approximately 65-75% of residents in the affected area live above the 3rd floor

📊 The vast majority of residents will therefore receive minimal protection from the proposed noise barriers

📊 Most residents will experience noise levels that exceed both Malaysian DOE guidelines and WHO recommendations for residential areas

This represents a significant oversight in the EIA's analysis and fundamentally undermines the claimed effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures. The acoustic science clearly shows that multi-story residential communities cannot be adequately protected by ground-level noise barriers alone.

Conclusion: A Scientific Assessment

Based on established acoustic principles and peer-reviewed research, it is scientifically inaccurate to claim that proposed barrier solutions will reduce noise levels by 15-20 dBA for most residents in the affected area. The vertical distribution of residences means:

  1. The majority of residents will experience noise levels that approach the unmitigated values predicted in the EIA
  2. These levels substantially exceed both Malaysian regulatory limits and international health guidelines
  3. The 24-year duration of exposure represents a significant public health concern for the community

The scientific facts are clear: the proposed reclamation project will subject thousands of residents to harmful levels of noise pollution with no effective mitigation strategy for those living above the ground floor.

Scientific Evidence: The Case Against Reclamation

The EIA report itself provides the strongest evidence against the project. According to the noise modeling, even with theoretical controls in place:

"8 hour exposure above 90 dB(A) as shown in Table 7.63 can be detrimental to the residential communities nearby." (Page 7.240)

"Major excavation and construction in a normal suburban community will generate complaints if the eight hour Leq exceeds 85 dB(A) at the boundary line." (Page 7.240)

The project's own documentation confirms that residents will be subjected to noise levels that scientific research has definitively linked to health problems, cognitive impairment, and reduced quality of life.

Our Right to Peace and Health

Residents of Karpal Singh Drive and surrounding areas have a right to a peaceful living environment. The reclamation project, with its 24-year timeline of construction and development, represents an unprecedented threat to this fundamental right.

The scientific data is clear: this project will subject residents to noise pollution that exceeds both Malaysian environmental guidelines and international health standards. The impacts will be felt across all aspects of daily life—from sleep quality to mental health, from property values to overall community wellbeing.

Time to Protest: Stand Up for Our Future

The robust scientific evidence is clear: the reclamation project poses an unacceptable risk to our health. It is imperative that we demand a reject to this project.

We call on all community members, scientists, and concerned citizens to join forces and protest this environmental injustice.

Join the Movement Now!

History shows that organized, evidence-based protest can drive change. Together, we can compel decision-makers to prioritize public health over reckless development. Your voice matters—demand a sustainable future!

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Stand Against the Noise

The evidence is clear. The noise from this project will exceed legal limits and impact our health for decades. Join us in opposing this harmful reclamation project and protecting our right to peace and quiet.

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