Objective To monitor and study the traffic noise pollution in main roads of a prefectural level city.
Methods Traffic noise levels were monitored and analyzed in 4 main road intersections during 07:30-08:30, 09:00-10:00, 11:30-12:30, 14:00-15:00, 17:00-18:00 and 20:00-21:00, April 2010.
Results The average noise levels in intersection A, B, C and D were 81.30-83.20, 78.55-82.11, 76.29-82.34 and 83.09-85.23 dB(A), respectively, in the daytime; those were 77.12, 78.38, 75.56 and 79.18 dB(A), respectively, during the night; and the noise quality indices were 1.03-1.11, 1.05-1.09, 1.01-1.10 and 1.04-1.13, respectively.
Conclusion The noise levels of different monitoring time at each site exceed the environmental health standards for cities in mainland China, and 52% of the noise levels monitored approach deteriorating grade.