In Dhaka, traffic noise far exceeds tolerable levels. According to the UNEP Frontiers 2022 report, the city’s traffic generates up to 119 decibels (dB)—the highest among the reported countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that long-term exposure to noise from road traffic should not exceed 53 dB during the day-evening-night period and 45 dB during the night to avoid adverse consequences on health. UNEP data shows that a motorbike horn alone typically produces around 90 dB, often louder in congested Bangladeshi streets. I consider this a form of torture for every commuter—though less so for those in air-conditioned vehicles.
In Dhaka, traffic noise far exceeds tolerable levels. According to the UNEP Frontiers 2022 report, the city’s traffic generates up to 119 decibels (dB)—the highest among the reported countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that long-term exposure to noise from road traffic should not exceed 53 dB during the day-evening-night period and 45 dB during the night to avoid adverse consequences on health. UNEP data shows that a motorbike horn alone typically produces around 90 dB, often louder in congested Bangladeshi streets. I consider this a form of torture for every commuter—though less so for those in air-conditioned vehicles.
