Evaluation of Noise Level in selected Markets in Jos-North, Plateau State

Noise has been identified to be a silent killer yet, not much has been done to control its impact particularly in commercial centres of developing countries. this study evaluates and mapped noise level at notable commercial centres and selected markets in jos-north, plateau state with a view to underscore its existing harmful effects to the public.markets were purposively selected based on the intensity of relative activities observed at each point over time at locations such as, terminus, Gada-Biu and Katako market with a total of twenty-one ( Morning and evening records of noise level were recorded at the intervals of five ( The ArcGIS software was used for interpolation of the spatial distribution of noise level in selected study points at Jos-North as well as the equivalent noise level (leq). Noise level (db) for each stall was compared with permissive range provided by the regulatory body (NESREA), and it was observed that a majority of the points were above the stipulated standard of allowable noise level in human environment. Specifically, terminus market was within the range of while Katako market was within the range of 75.4db-100.9db. Highest peak of noise level in study was Katako market 98.5db. Thus, implying high noise pollution generated from truck users and pushers activities at tuber food stalls, vehicular movement, cutting and milling machines and power generators. Thus suggested remedies to reduce the noise pollution were highlighted with a view to fight the health implications of high noise level among human beings patronizing such market on regular bases