Noise levels in Kuwait City

Abstract EN

This paper mainly aims to measure noise level using a portable sound level meter.

To meet different spatial and temporal requirements for noise level pollution assessment, monthly measurements, for a period of one year (March 2011 - February 2012), were conducted at 25 locations geographically distributed in Kuwait City.

A distance of at least 15 meters was maintained from traffic noise sources during the noise measurements.

The results of the average ambient noise level measurements in Kuwait City are found to be as follows: (1) during working days: day time- 7:00 to 14:00 (57.1-73.7dB); evening time-14:00 to 22:00 (61.5-72.5dB), and night time- 22:00 to 7:00 (54.9-68.2dB), and (2) during weekend days: day time (61.3-70.8dB); evening time (61.1-72.2 dB); and night time (54-66.2dB).

The measured ambient noise levels are in excess of the established Kuwait EPA standards; (65dB)- under Category Traffic- Urban Residential with Commercial.