מטרד הרעש ממפעלים ובתי מלאכה באזורי מגורים: חקר מקרה באקה אל-גרבייה

The development of light industries and workshop activities within or near residential areas of Arab municipalities in Israel has brought in its wake environmental hazards, and particularly noise. The spatial distribution, characteristics and intensity of noise nuisances were investigated in three different areas in the town of Baqa El Garbiah: Residential areas, industrial zones, and a control block where such activities were minimal. Data collection was based on mapping of industrial and workshop activities, monitoring of noise levels in various sites of the municipality, and on surveying the awareness and sensitivity of residents and owners of factories and workshops regarding noise nuisances. According to the study the frequency of industrial and workshop activities in residential areas was fivefold as compared with the industrial zone, without significant differences in their branch distribution. The main activities were: car maintenance, wood factories, metal, plastic and glass workshops, food industry and building materials industry. A diurnal cycle in noise levels was noted during the week, with high levels recorded during day-time operation in the industrial zone and in the residential area near to a canning factory and vehicle-body workshop. The latter was perceived as a major noise nuisance factor. Residents' responses to the intensity of noise were found to be associated with variables such as age, education level, income level and gender. By comparison, owners of factories and workshops perceived their activities as generating the lowest levels of noise nuisance. Environmentally-oriented planning and enforcement of bylaws toward reduced noise hazards seem mandatory under these circumstances.