Determination of disturbance level using noise monitoring device at residentials areas in the vicinity of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Pengkalan Chepa

The noise generated by aircraft during departure and arrival flight operations continues to be significant problem at most major airports. This study aimed to determine the noise level at residential areas in the vicinity of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Aircraft noise had given adverse effects of community noise, including interference with communication, noise induced hearing loss, annoyance responses and effects on sleep, the cardiovascular and psychophysiological systems, performance, productivity, and social behavior. Sound levels were recorded once at three various locations within airport compound and its surrounding areas, up to 1 km radius from the center of airport. Every readings of noise level were recorded in decibel, dB(A) for two hours at five minutes interval during day time and night time which is morning, evening and night. Findings put the average noise level in the study was the highest at Institut Perguruan Kota Bharu in the evening with 68.91 dB(A) in May compared to the other two stations. Taman Sri Pengakalan Chepa recorded the lowest reading of noise level in the evening with 45.50 dB(A) in June during night time. Overall, the noise level recorded at the three stations had exceeded the standard level stated by the Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia standards which was 50 dB(A) in day time and 40 dB(A) in night time. The result of the one-way ANOVA test carried out on the dependent variable average noise revealed a statistically significant with the value of F (2,24) = 19.70, p = 0.000. These finding are very useful to be used as reference and guideline for future regulations on noise limit to be implemented for areas in Malaysia.