Noise Pollution

What Is Noise Pollution?
DEFINITION
Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the World Health Organization, sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless of how long or consistent the exposure is. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise beyond 85 dB may be hazardous. If you work for 8 hours daily in close proximity to a busy road or highway, you are very likely exposed to traffic noise pollution around 85dB.

This type of pollution is so omnipresent in today’s society that we often fail to even notice it anymore:

street traffic sounds from cars, buses, pedestrians, ambulances etc.
construction sounds like drilling or other heavy machinery in operation
airports, with constant elevated sounds from air traffic, i.e. planes taking off or landing
workplace sounds, often common in open-space offices
constant loud music in or near commercial venues
industrial sounds like fans, generators, compressor, mills
train stations traffic
household sounds, from the television set to music playing on the stereo or computer, vacuum cleaners, fans and coolers, washing machines, dishwashers, lawnmowers etc.
events involving fireworks, firecrackers, loudspeakers etc.
conflicts generate noise pollution through explosions, gunfire etc. The dysfunctions, in this case, are likely caused by the conflict and insecurity and less by the noise pollution in itself, although that compounds stress levels too.
Human Diseases Caused by Noise Pollution
Whether we realize we are subjected to it or not, noise pollution can be hazardous to our health in various ways.

Hypertension is, in this case, a direct result of noise pollution caused elevated blood levels for a longer period of time.
Hearing loss can be directly caused by noise pollution, whether listening to loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud drilling noises at work, heavy air or land traffic, or separate incidents in which noise levels reach dangerous intervals, such as around140 dB for adult or 120 dB for children.
Sleep disturbances are usually caused by constant air or land traffic at night, and they are a serious condition in that they can affect everyday performance and lead to serious diseases.
Child development. Children appear to be more sensitive to noise pollution, and a number of noise-pollution-related diseases and dysfunctions are known to affect children, from hearing impairment to psychological and physical effects. Also, children who regularly use music players at high volumes are at risk of developing hearing dysfunctions. In 2001, it was estimated that 12.5% of American children between the ages of 6 to 19 years had impaired hearing in one or both ears
Various cardiovascular dysfunctions. Elevated blood pressure caused by noise pollution, especially during the night, can lead to various cardiovascular diseases.
Dementia isn’t necessarily caused by noise pollution, but its onset can be favored or compounded by noise pollution.
Psychological dysfunctions and noise annoyance. Noise annoyance is, in fact, a recognized name for an emotional reaction that can have an immediate impact.
Effects of Noise Pollution on Wildlife and Marine Life
Our oceans are no longer quiet. Thousands of oil drills, sonars, seismic survey devices, coastal recreational watercraft and shipping vessels are now populating our waters, and that is a serious cause of noise pollution for marine life. Whales are among the most affected, as their hearing helps them orient themselves, feed and communicate. Noise pollution thus interferes with cetaceans’ (whales and dolphins) feeding habits, reproductive patterns and migration routes, and can even cause hemorrhage and death.

Other than marine life, land animals are also affected by noise pollution in the form of traffic, firecrackers etc., and birds are especially affected by the increased air traffic.

Social and Economic Costs of Noise Pollution
The World Health Organization estimates that one out of three people in Europe is harmed by traffic noise. More than the purely medical effects of noise pollution on the individual, there is a significant social and economic impact. Since noise pollution leads to sleep disturbance, it affects the individual’s work performance during the day, it leads to hypertension and cardiovascular disease and costs the health system additional time and money, and it negatively affects school performance in children.

Tips for Avoiding Noise Pollution
Wear earplugs whenever exposed to elevated noise levels
Maintain a level of around 35 dB in your bedroom at night, and around 40 dB in your house during the day
If possible, choose your residential area as far removed from heavy traffic as you can
Avoid prolonged use of earphones, especially at elevated sound levels
If possible, avoid jobs with regular exposure to elevated sound levels

What is Noise Pollution?

Noise pollution is defined as unwanted sounds that disrupt normal sound in the environment. Noise pollution often emanates from railroads, road traffic, aircraft, loud music, construction sites, and industrial activities. Nevertheless, the definition of noise is subjective as it varies from one individual to another. In the majority of cases, individual response to noise is influenced by loudness, time pattern, and frequency.

Other factors include the nature of the activity that produces the noise and the level of background sound before the introduction of another louder sound frequency. Noise is the only form of pollution that is ever-present but rarely noticed despite its adverse effects. It can lead to loss of memory, deafness or in some cases psychiatric disorders. Sensitivity to different sound frequencies is measured using the A-weighted decibel scale (dBA).

The acceptable amount of sound level is about 60 to 65 dBs, which equals to that of a normal conversation. Sound levels higher than 85 dBs are harmful depending on the duration of exposure and if one has hearing protection or not. Noise above 140 dBA can cause permanent hearing loss. Here are the various sources of noise pollution and tips for prevention.

Sources of Noise Pollution

The sources of noise pollution are classified into two broad categories: Internal and external sources of noise pollution.

1. External sources of pollution

These are the major sources of noise pollution in the environment. They are sources that are extremely difficult to control. They include.

• Industrial sources. The industrialization has resulted in the rise of noise pollution. The industries include textile mills, engineering plants, printing presses, and metal industries. Most industries use heavy machines capable of producing very high levels of noise. They have equipment such as compressors, exhaust fans, grinding mills, and generators which increase the overall noise levels in the environment. Workers in these environments are in great health risks in case they do not take proper measures like wearing earplugs to minimize the effect of the noise.

• Vehicles for transportation. Automobile revolution has turned out to be a big source of environmental noise in urban regions. In the modern age, there is an increase in traffic due to the growth in the number of vehicles such as buses, trains, and trucks. People caught in traffic jams are also often impatient and will continuously hoot their horns in an attempt to alert the driver in front of them to move. These acts produce unbearable noise to the people living in the neighboring areas, the commuters or passersby, and the environment as a whole. Airplanes also increase the problem of noise in major urban cities. Most airports are located near residential areas and for this reason, the jet-planes taking off and landing in such areas normally produce high sound levels.

• Poor urban planning. Developing nations habitually lack proper urban planning that leads to congested housing, small spaces, small industry proliferation, and lack of enough parking areas. Poor urban planning thus contributes to environmental noise through fights or social and basic amenities, noise from small manufacturing industries, wrangles over parking space, family quarrels from the neighboring houses, and noise from playing children.

• Public address systems. Public functions such as rallies, strikes, elections, religious and secular events use addressing systems that are very loud. The organizers of such events normally flout the rules set against public noise pollution by the state. Loud noise from public address systems and music systems during social events such as parties and religious crusades are another source of noise pollution. Open markets also often produce high levels of noise pollution due to the activities of buying and selling, and the use of loudspeakers and megaphones in advertising merchandise or services.

• Agriculture machines. Noise level of as high as 90 dB to 98 dB has been recorded in some farms using heavy types of machinery and equipment. These equipment include thrashers, tube wells, tractors, drillers, powered tillers, and harvesters.

• Military equipment. Artillery tanks, rocket launching, military airplanes drills, explosions, and shooting practice are serious noise polluters. Deafening impacts are produced by the sounds of jet engines and in extreme cases, they cause the shattering of window panes and cracking of old dilapidates buildings located near their take-off and landing areas or when they fly past such structures.

2. Indoor sources of noise

They are noises associated with human activities within a household or building. They also occur due to operations of building services and office services.

• Inside building services. Construction works, workshops and automobile repairs cause noise pollution. The equipment used in such jobs produces a lot of noise that causes nuisance and may hamper hearing ability.

• Household activities. These are activities such as the loud banging of doors, noises from playing children, furniture movement, crying infants, loud arguments. Many households also own entertainment equipment such as Hi-Fi Systems, Television sets, and loudspeakers that may further contribute to the overall noise emanating from indoor household activities. Household equipment like pressure cookers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, sewing machines, mix-grinders, desert coolers, exhaust fans, and air-conditioners equally produce a lot of noise.

• Office equipment. In offices, there are printers, photocopiers, and typewriters among other equipment that contribute to noise pollution in the working places and its environs.

Tips for Prevention of Noise Pollution

1. Standard laws by different organizations

Transport sector noise control, proper urban planning and use of zoning codes, roadway noise control, noise-reducing architecture designs, and aircraft noise reduction are some of the noise mitigation measures that can be employed to curb noise pollution. To implement them, there are various guidelines or rather standard recommendations of allowed noise levels including:

• Occupational Safety and Health policies. These policies impose administrative and engineering controls in the workplace in cases where the workers are exposed to levels of noise which are above 90-dBA for a period of eight-hour time-weighted averages (TWA). It also recommends that Impulse and impact noise control measures to be put in place where the noise is past 140 dB. It has been applied in various sectors around the world including manufacturing industries, office spaces, construction sites, railroads, and airports. The measures include controlling impact and impulse of noise.

• Other organizations. They include Mine, Safety, and Health Organizations. Different countries have their own policies and regulations on noise pollution that are in line with international noise pollution policies in the mining, processing, and power production plants.

2. Tips to control noise pollution

Some of the tips that can assist in controlling noise pollution include

• Use of earplugs. One of the cost-effective tips for reducing noise pollution is wearing earplugs. They can be worn in working places and while sleeping to reduce the amount of noise from the surrounding environment. They have health benefits such as healthy sleeping habits and prevent damage to the eardrum.

• Soundproofing. Industrial plants that produce a lot of noise from their machinery can use soundproof materials to reduce high sound frequencies. At home, one can install soundproofing materials which block the noise and associated vibrations. Double-pane windows, for example, can be an impressive method for preventing noise pollution.

• Closing the windows. To prevent unwanted noise from entering into the house and buildings, one can simply close the windows and open them when it is quite.

• Jarring horns. To reduce the noise that is associated with continuous hoots in traffic, vehicles can install horns that have jarring sounds. In cases where the exhaust pipes are damaged, they should be repaired and noisy trucks banned.

• Law enforcement. The state and local government should have proper laws that prevent noise pollution near residential areas. They can give authority to community law enforcers who will have the mandate of checking noise polluters. An example is whereby laws are enforced such that industries or noise-producing businesses are set up and operated away from schools, colleges, hospitals, and residential areas.

• Noise-canceling headphones. They can be used by workers to reduce noise pollution in industrial and construction workers. They filter any unwanted noise and prevent it from reaching the ears.

• Use of barriers or go green by planting trees. A simple way of reducing the vibrations and strong sound waves is through the use of barriers such as fences and planting trees around the house. These barriers would absorb the waves and reduce environmental noise significantly.

• Lubrication and better maintenance of machines. When the moving parts of machines and engines are well maintained and lubricated, it not only improves efficiency but also aids in reducing noise. The reason is that lubrication and proper maintenance reduces friction between moving parts.

• The use of creativity in house and office layout. Being innovative in the placement of equipment can significantly help in reducing noise pollution. Noisy house appliances and office equipment can be placed at the far ends of the house or office, therefore, reducing the levels of noise that reaches resting or working areas.

Effects of Noise Pollution on Humans Health and Animals

Noise pollution refers to sound that is annoying, a nuisance or undesired for to the ears and that which can impact the activity or behavior of animal and human life. It is also known as sound pollution or environmental noise, mainly caused by transportation and transport systems like vehicles, trains, or planes, and machines, music systems, megaphones, and industries just to mention a few.

Noise is regarded as a pollutant majorly because it disrupts the natural flow of hearing or the normal hearing sense. Given that noise is sound that is undesired, it can have adverse effects on both humans and animals as discussed in this article.

Effects on Noise Pollution on Human Health

1. Hearing Problems

Hearing is one of the five senses that human beings have. As such, it is an essential part of the life of any person. But in as much as the ear serves the purpose of receiving sound waves, it can also do so to a certain limit. When it gets to the point termed as noise, it means it is undesirable because it interferes with one’s hearing capacity.

This is the reason people cover their years when there is really loud noise. Such loud noise can cause hearing impairment, which can even result in permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss due to noise pollution is attributed to prolonged exposure of noise levels above 85 decibels.

2. Difficulty in sleeping

Noise can deter sleep because of its psychological effect. Having noise around can distort peaceful sleep as it causes stress. Moreover, being in a noisy place means there is almost no chance of having any sleep. Inadequacy of sleep in turn interrupts the normal functioning of the body, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and general moodiness.

3. Reduced cognitive functioning

The ear is connected to the brain, which coordinates the body’s stimulus responses. For this reason, all the sound waves that hit the ear are sent to the brain for interpretation. This means too much noise also gets to the brain and according to scientific reports, such kind of noise dulls the brain and contributes to a lower response rate by the brain.

Due to this, cognitive functioning reduces and so is the ability to solve problems normally. Individuals who live in areas with too much noise, for instance, adjacent to busy highways, railway lines, airports or near loud night clubs tend to have lower cognitive power compared to those who live in quieter environments.

4. Cardiovascular problems

Noise ‘excites’ the heart. Too much noise means that the heart is also disturbed and ends up beating faster; increasing blood pressure. In loud noise, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are also released.

Therefore, blood pressure will definitely increase in noisy environments thus prompting faster flow of blood which in turn leads to secretion of catecholamine, a hormone that further magnifies the number of times the heart pumps blood. As much a there is no harm in this, regular exposure will keep the body getting higher impulses leading to increased blood pressure.

If blood pressure keeps rising, it may open up chances for heart related diseases such as high blood pressure and stroke. Other cardiovascular diseases include hypertension and arteriolosclerosis and are caused by the dilation of the pupil and constriction of blood vessels.

5. Emotion and behavioral change

This is different from cognitive thinking. Too much noise means disturbance of peace which may lead to annoyance or anger. People in this state tend to have constant headaches which may even intensify if the noise is continuous. This may lead to an amplified stress levels and thus, emotions take over and violence may ensue.

This type of behavior is reported to be due to anxiety. With such behavior, it becomes hard to concentrate on work and achieve set goals owing to reduced work efficiency.

6. Reproduction problems

Varying studies have been conducted to estimate the effect of noise pollution on reproduction in human beings and surprisingly, most of these studies have posited that pregnant women exposed to noise pollution during the course of their expectancy tend to give birth to children with less body weight. The stress levels experienced by the expectant mother equally disturbs the unborn child.

Effects of Noise Pollution on Animals

1. Reduction in feeding patterns

Some birds and animals like bats, whales and dolphins use their sharp hearing abilities – known as echolocation for movements, foraging, and avoiding prey. Noise pollution has negated this since the noise monopolizes all the sounds present.

As a result, there is increased migration by animals from their natural habitats in search of quieter places where they can feed comfortably. Some animal species have slowly become extinct due to this. They migrate to other ecosystems that are not suitable for them and end up dying.

2. Hearing problems

Dolphins and whales are frequent visitors to the shallow waters of large oceans. But because of the continuous loud noise caused by drilling machines in the oceans, some of these animals hearing capabilities have been severely impacted with some having permanent hearing impairment.

3. Reproduction problems

Animals use unique voices to know the locations of mates and stay away from danger. Birds also use low pitched sounds in order to attract mates. Some of the sounds made have been said to be too low, only audible to the animals that can pick up the sound at that wavelength but inaudible to the human ear.

A noisy environment would prevent this leading to near extinction of various species of birds and animals as it makes it difficult for them to mate and breed. Without breeding, it means no new offspring.

4. Death

Bigger animals are able to survive in noisy areas. The case is different for smaller marine organisms such as cephalopods – one of the many species of shellfish. These marine fish are heavily affected by the noise coming from moving vessels. The slow movement of large ships over areas where they call habitat can lead to their death.

The noisy underwater turbines and submarines also emit very high levels of noise decibels that end up disrupting and even destroying marine life.

5. Reduction in production

Noise deters the productivity of animals both in the wild and domesticated. Cows produce less milk if there is any noise around them during milking. They get agitated and tend to withdraw the milk due to fear and discomfort. Chicken are also adversely affected by noise. There is a drastic drop in the production of eggs for layers in noisy environments.

6. Behavioral change

Like human beings, wild animals also experience a change in behavior depending on the level of peace or noise present. The agitation caused by noise influences heightened aggression levels in all animals and interestingly, irritation has even been reported for birds.

Noise makes them unable to communicate, which may change their behavior into aspects such as cannibalism. Beetles, as another example, are so disturbed by noise that they end up killing each other.

7. Adaptation

Whereas some of the animals cannot make it in a noisy environment, the rest either die or bear a tough skin through to the end. It is up to the animals to survive in order to ensure continuation of their species. As such, animals are slowly adapting to the life in the urban areas. Instead of the usual calling sounds between females and males, animals are using higher pitches to surpass the noise levels.

At times the rise in pitch may lead to confusion but birds such as water birds and tits have been able to survive in urban settings despite chirping louder. Some birds, on the other hand, have had to change their singing from daytime to nighttime when there is reduced noise to survive.

8. Slow Reaction time 

Hermit crabs, tortoises and turtles are some of the animals that withdraw to their shells when trouble strikes. The presence of boats or human activity quickly warrants trouble leading to their withdrawal. Noise pollution for long periods of time has distorted this pattern especially in crabs. Their reaction time to danger has slowed, which puts them at a disadvantage when faced by predators.

20+ Easy and Practical Ways to Reduce Noise Pollution

Noise pollution refers to an undesirable sound or sound which generates horrible discomfort on the ears. It is measured in decibels (dB) and sound levels beyond 100 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. Noise pollution is a huge problem because it creates discomfort, interferes with an individual’s peace of mind and lessens one’s quality of life. For instance, noise can disrupt sleep and prevent one from getting a rejuvenating rest due to the high sound vibrations.

Noise pollution also affects marine and wildlife animals at the same degree it affects humans. These days, noise is almost everywhere especially in urban and city areas influenced by transportation activities such as airports, traffic and railroads, industrial manufacturing, construction works, and concerts. However, there are numerous practical ways to reduce noise pollution. Here are various easy steps we can take to reduce noise pollution.

1. Close the windows. By simply closing the windows, we can reduce the amount of noise entering into our homes and buildings. It keeps away unwanted sound. The best thing to do is to only open windows during the quitter times of the day, most probably late in the evenings.

2. Put on earplugs. Wearing earplugs is a cost-effective solution of reducing noise pollution. A pair of earplugs can be worn while sleeping or at any other time of the day when you want to reduce the amount of noise hitting your eardrums. Earplugs have their health benefits especially for those who want to have a healthy sleeping habit in noisy areas.

3. Improve your insulation. Insulation measures are some of the basic and most practical ways to reduce noise pollution at home. It’s an art of soundproofing which helps in blocking the sound vibrations and noise. By improving insulation it means installing soundproofing materials on the walls, ceiling and even on the floor. The use of double-pane windows can also aid in absorbing noise.

4. Invest in noise-canceling headphones. Majority of people may not realize this, but sound-cancelling headphones are good for reducing noise pollution. It’s essentially important for industrial and construction workers. The noise cancelling headphones filters the unwanted noise before it reaches the ears.

5. Do wall-to-wall carpeting. Wall-to-wall carpeting comes in as another simple and practical way of reducing noise pollution. Such an undertaking goes a long way in reducing incoming noise into our homes or offices.

6. Install a fence. This may sound extreme, but it qualifies as a practical way to reduce noise pollution. Noise is produced by strong sound waves or vibrations which can be significantly reduced by barriers. By installing a fence, you’ll be creating a barrier that absorbs the strong sound waves or vibrations thereby reducing noise pollution around your office or home.

7. Be creative with the office or house layout. One way to reduce noise in the house or in an office setting is getting innovative with the general layout. For instance, noisy machines can be situated in areas that are not close to the sitting/resting or working areas.

8. Invest in noise friendly flooring. Floors can offer impressive ways of reducing noise pollution. However, it depends on the type of floor in place. Carpeting for instance usually reduces substantial amount of noise but better results can be achieved by use of noise friendly flooring like vinyl. Vinyl is a resourceful alternative to carpeting and delivers better in reducing noise pollution because of its sound absorption qualities.

9. Invest in sound friendly furniture. Furniture are great sound absorbers as they reduce echo and sound vibrations. Therefore, sound friendly lounge chairs, bookshelves, couches and cabinets can have an effect on the acoustics of open spaces. For instance, in case of a noisy neighbor, put a big bookshelf against the wall to reduce the noise coming from their house or building.

10. Use of modern acoustic wall panels. Not all wall panels incredibly serve well at reducing noise pollution. Because of technological advancements, there are modern designs acoustic wall panel options available in the market that can effectively reduce noise pollution.

11. Turn off the electronic or reduce the volume. Game systems, computers, Hi-fi systems, and televisions can contribute to noise pollution when on high volumes. The solution is to turn them off when not in use and also keep them on moderate volume to reduce noise pollution. Besides, by turning them off you’ll also be saving electricity costs.

12. Plant trees. Trees have been established to be effective in reducing noise levels within urban settings, around major highways, and even at the places we stay. Therefore, numerous plants and trees in an area mean less noise pollution. In addition to that, trees have various aesthetic advantages and improve air quality.

13. Have a dedicated quiet space. Having a dedicated quite space can pay off whenever we want to escape the noises that make us uncomfortable and reduce the quality of life. Quite spaces can guarantee as much as 100% soundproof areas.

14. Install cubicles and wall partitions. In places with large free space such as offices and other big rooms at home, wall partitioning and the use of cubicles will reduce the overall indoor noise. Cubicles and wall partitions act as noise absorbers and prove very effective even with low-level installation.

15. Shut the door. Shutting the door keeps away unpleasant sounds especially if you have noisy neighbors. If there are appliances that produce loud noise such as dishwashers, blenders and washing machines, you can have them run in separate rooms and shut the door to seal off the noise.

16. Cancel or mask the noise. Canceling or masking the noise is one of the simplest and practical techniques of reducing noise pollution. It is achieved through the creation of peaceful sounds to cancel the awful ones. It can simply be done by turning on a fan or hanging wind chimes. For the majority of people, it may seem contradictory but it is a proven effective method of masking or canceling the horrible and bothering sounds. Furthermore, there are white noise machines that can make the canceling or masking easier.

17. Move or choose a home in noise-free areas. Moving away from noisy areas can also qualify as a practical way of reducing noise pollution. It may sound extreme but moving from areas such as airports, train stations, industrial districts and major highways can reduce noise levels greatly.

18. Replacement of old automobiles with new ones. Old automobiles are a major source of noise pollution. They create unappealing and very loud sounds. Their replacement with new ones will go a long way in reducing noise pollution. It will also lessen the emission of soot and toxic substances into the atmosphere.

19. Creating awareness and education on the consequences of noise pollution. The creation of awareness on noise pollution and its effects on both humans and wildlifecan generate positive outcomes on efforts to reduce noise pollution. Perhaps if most people could be aware that noise pollution can lead to hearing loss and mental stress, then majority will invest in ways to reduce noise pollution.

20. Declaring a “no horn zone” in hospital, school and residential areas. Horns from trucks, buses and cars produce considerable degree of noise pollution and as such, the introduction of no horn zone can help reduce noise pollution in hospital, school and residential areas.

21. Let’s all be good neighbors. By being a good neighbor, it means maintaining awareness of your loud music, barking dogs or loud parties among others. Keeping these on check can make your neighbor do the same which eventually contributes to an easy and practical way of reducing noise pollution.

22. Put pressure on the relevant city or governing authorities to introduce noise regulation policies. Governing and city authorities are highly placed at introducing policies which can help reduce noise pollution. The laws should limit the amount of noise in public and private places to reduce noise pollution. The policies can also be integrated in transportation network construction and activities such as low-noise road surfaces, low-noise tracks, redesigning street spaces, enforcing speed limits and reducing traffic volume.

23. The use of calming green waves. These are the highway and noisy areas (such as airports, train stations and industries) sound insulation measures that can help absorb the huge sounds produced by the operating machines.

What is Noise Pollution?

Most of us are very used to the sounds we hear in everyday life. Loud music, the television, people talking on their phone, the traffic and even pets barking in the middle of the night. All of these have become a part of the urban culture and rarely disturb us. However, when the sound of the television keeps you from sleeping all night or the traffic starts to give you a headache, it stops becoming just noise and starts turning into noise pollution. For many of us, the concept of pollution is limited to nature and resources. However, noise that tends to disrupt the natural rhythm of life makes for one solid pollutant.

By definition, noise pollution takes place when there is either an excessive amount of noise or an unpleasant sound that causes a temporary disruption in the natural balance. This definition is usually applicable to sounds or noises that are unnatural in either their volume or their production. Our environment is such that it has become difficult to escape the noise. Even electrical appliances at home have a constant hum or beeping sound. By and large, lack of urban planning increases the exposure to unwanted sounds. This is why understanding noise pollution is necessary to curb it in time.

Various Causes of Noise Pollution

1. Industrialization

Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing a large amount of noise. Apart from that, various equipment like compressors, generators, exhaust fans, grinding mills also participates in producing big noise. Therefore, you must have seen workers in these factories and industries wearing earplugs to minimize the effect of noise.

2. Poor Urban Planning

In most of the developing countries, poor urban planning also plays a vital role. Congested houses, large families sharing small space, fight over parking, frequent fights over basic amenities leads to noise pollution which may disrupt the environment of society.

3. Social Events

Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties, pub, disc or place of worship, people normally flout rules set by the local administration and create nuisance in the area. People play songs on full volume and dance till midnight which makes the condition of people living nearby pretty worse. In markets, you can see people selling clothes via making a loud noise to attract the attention of people.

4. Transportation

A large number of vehicles on roads, airplanes flying over houses, underground trains produce heavy noise and people get it difficult to get accustomed to that. The high noise leads to a situation wherein a normal person loses the ability to hear properly.

5. Construction Activities

Under construction activities like mining, construction of bridges, dams, buildings, stations, roads, flyovers takes place in almost every part of the world. These construction activities take place every day as we need more buildings, bridges to accommodate more people and to reduce traffic congestion. The down point is that these construction equipment are too noisy.

6. Household Chores

We people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily life. Gadgets like TV, mobile, mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners, washing machine and dryer, cooler, air conditioners are minor contributors to the amount of noise that is produced but it affects the quality of life of your neighborhood in a bad way.

While this form of pollution may seem harmless, it, in fact, has far-reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife affected by pollution but humans also face a number of problems due to it.

Effects of Noise Pollution

1. Hearing Problems

Any unwanted sound that our ears have not been built to filter can cause problems within the body. Our ears can take in a certain range of sounds without getting damaged. Man-made noises such as jackhammers, horns, machinery, airplanes and even vehicles can be too loud for our hearing range. Constant exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our eardrums and loss of hearing. It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.

2. Health Issues

Excessive noise pollution in working areas such as offices, construction sites, bars and even in our homes can influence psychological health. Studies show that the occurrence of aggressive behavior, disturbance of sleep, constant stress, fatigue, and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. These, in turn, can cause more severe and chronic health issues later in life.

3. Sleeping Disorders

Loud noise can certainly hamper your sleeping pattern and may lead to irritation and uncomfortable situations. Without a good night sleep, it may lead to problems related to fatigue and your performance may go down in the office as well as at home. It is therefore recommended to take a sound sleep to give your body proper rest.

4. Cardiovascular Issues

Blood pressure levels, cardiovascular disease, and stress-related heart problems are on the rise. Studies suggest that high-intensity noise causes high blood pressure and increases heartbeat rate as it disrupts the normal blood flow. Bringing them to a manageable level depends on our understanding of noise pollution and how we tackle it.

5. Trouble Communicating

High decibel noise can put trouble and may not allow two people to communicate freely. This may lead to misunderstanding and you may get difficult understanding the other person. Constant sharp noise can give you a severe headache and disturb your emotional balance.

6. Effect on Wildlife

Wildlife faces far more problems than humans because of noise pollution since they are more dependent on sound. Animals develop a better sense of hearing than us since their survival depends on it. The ill effects of excessive noise begin at home. Pets react more aggressively in households where there is a constant noise.

They become disoriented more easily and face many behavioral problems. In nature, animals may suffer from hearing loss, which makes them easy prey and leads to dwindling populations. Others become inefficient at hunting, disturbing the balance of the eco-system.

Species that depend on mating calls to reproduce are often unable to hear these calls due to excessive man-made noise. As a result, they are unable to reproduce and cause declining populations. Others require sound waves to echolocate and find their way when migrating. Disturbing their sound signals means they get lost easily and do not migrate when they should. To cope up with the increasing sound around them, animals are becoming louder, which may further add to the pollution levels. This is why understanding noise pollution can help us lower the impact it has on the environment.

As of now, there do not exist many solutions to reduce sound pollution. On a personal level, everybody can help to reduce the noise in their homes by lowering the volume of the radio, music system and the television. Listening to music without headphones is also a good step forward. Removal of public loudspeakers is another way in which pollution can be countered.

As is controlling the sound levels in clubs, bars, parties, and discos. Better urban planning can help in creating ‘No-Noise’ zones, where honking and industrial noise are not tolerated. It is only when our understanding of noise pollution is complete, can we take steps to eradicate it completely.