Evaluation of noise pollution related to human perception in a university campus in Brazil

•Evaluation of noise pollution at a university campus in Brazil by using noise map.•Indoor and outdoor on-site sound measurements and application of questionnaires.•Comparison of results with national regulations and international recommendations.•Exceeded sound pressure level was recorded in 53% of the mapped area.•Although there is a high noise disturbance to the users, it is not clearly perceived. Noise pollution has been identified as an urban environmental problem in developing universities campuses. Excessive noise in areas with educational activities can lead to low performance of lecturers, students and staff. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the influence of sound pressure on the user perception and behaviour in a sector of a university campus in Brazil. This research was developed from on-site sound measurements in 32 outdoor and 11 indoor spots in the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. In addition, questionnaires were applied to 140 volunteers including lecturers, students and staff. Data captured by these measurements were compared to the national regulations NBR 10.151 and NBR 10.152 as well as to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Finally, measurement results were confronted with the users’ answers. Results indicated that 87% and 53% of the outdoor measurements exceeded the limits determined by NBR 10.151 and WHO, respectively, mainly due to vehicle traffic and people’s conversation. Regarding the internal spots, all measurements surpassed the recommended limits, reaching a peak of 77% above the threshold value. However, the sound disturbance is not always clearly perceived as only 55% of volunteers reported being bothered by noise and among them, only half try to solve it while studying or working. This study contributes with a comparison between quantitative and qualitative results warranting attention to the dealing of noise pollution at university campuses.