Noise Pollution Impact

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.

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:

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

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:

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:

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.

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:

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:

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:

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.