Greta Jimenez
Noise pollution is a serious issue that affects people's health and well-being, causing a range of problems from hearing loss to stress, sleep disruption, annoyance, and cardiovascular issues. It is also harmful to wildlife, interfering with breeding cycles and contributing to the extinction of some species. The impact of noise pollution is felt across various sectors, resulting in economic, social, and health costs.
The economic costs of noise pollution are significant. In the UK alone, it costs the economy around £20 billion annually. Property values are affected, with residential areas near airports experiencing a decline in value of 0.4% to 1.1% per decibel, and highways causing an 8% to 10% decrease in surrounding property values. Additionally, there are healthcare costs associated with the health issues caused by noise pollution, such as heart disease and tinnitus.
Noise pollution also has social costs, impacting people's quality of life and productivity. It can cause sleep disturbances, leading to impaired memory, creativity, judgment, and psychomotor skills. The distraction, fatigue, and interrupted communication caused by noise pollution result in a loss of productivity, amounting to a substantial economic cost.
Furthermore, noise pollution has environmental costs, making some areas inaccessible to wildlife due to the high noise levels emitted by transportation.
Overall, noise pollution is a pressing issue that requires attention and action to mitigate its negative impacts on human health, social well-being, and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Risks | Hearing Loss, Stress, Sleep Disruption, Cardiovascular Disease, High Blood Pressure, Headaches, Gastritis, Colitis, Heart Attacks, Tinnitus, Deafness, Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Hysteria, Memory Impairment, Attention Deficits, Childhood Learning Delays, Low Birth Weight, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Stroke, Dementia |
| Social and Economic Costs | £20 billion annually in the UK, $3.9 billion annually in the US |
| Noise Sources | Traffic, Aircraft, Construction, Leaf Blowers, Air Conditioners, Pounding Music, Street Traffic, Barking Dogs, Sirens, Drilling, Car Horns, Buses, Pneumatic Drills, Bars, Restaurants, Clubs, Airports, Roads |
What You'll Learn
- Noise pollution costs the UK economy £20 billion annually
- The World Health Organization (WHO) states that noise pollution causes around one million deaths per year
- The European Environmental Agency reports that noise ranks second only to air pollution as the most harmful environmental exposure
- The International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise states that the dangers of noise pollution are often underestimated
- Noise pollution can cause or worsen cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances, stress, mental health issues, and more
Noise pollution costs the UK economy £20 billion annually
Noise pollution is a serious issue, and it is expensive. It costs the UK economy around £20 billion annually in economic, social, and health costs. It is one of the leading environmental causes of ill health, second only to air pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one million lives are lost every year due to exposure to environmental noise.
Noise pollution has various adverse effects on health, including hearing loss, stress, sleep disruption, annoyance, and cardiovascular disease. These health impacts have economic consequences, such as increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity. For example, heart disease caused by exposure to daytime traffic noise costs approximately £1,183 million per year in the UK. Tinnitus from traffic or leisure noise and hearing loss from loud music cost £52 million and £38 million per year, respectively.
Noise pollution also affects children's learning, with daytime and nighttime noise resulting in slower learning, costing £252 million per year. Additionally, there are costs associated with the loss of amenity, which refers to the conscious displeasure of those exposed to the noise, such as the impact on house prices, sleep disturbance, and the cost of measures to reduce noise exposure. Loss of amenity from noise pollution is valued at approximately £2-3 billion per year in the UK.
The social and economic costs of noise pollution are significant, and it is essential to recognize it as a serious problem and implement measures to mitigate its negative impacts.
Narwhals: Understanding the Impact of Pollution on Their Habitat
You may want to see also
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that noise pollution causes around one million deaths per year
In addition, noise pollution has been linked to a range of cardiovascular issues, including increased risk of hypertension and coronary heart disease. This is a major concern as cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Noise pollution has also been associated with negative effects on the metabolic system, as well as cognitive and hearing impairment. These issues can have far-reaching consequences for individuals' health, well-being, and quality of life.
The sources of noise pollution that contribute to these health issues include road traffic, railway traffic, air traffic, and building sites. Leisure activities, such as listening to loud music, and sources such as wind turbines, can also contribute to noise pollution and its associated health risks. It is important to note that noise pollution not only affects humans but also has serious impacts on wildlife, interfering with breeding cycles and contributing to the extinction of some species.
The external costs of noise pollution are significant and include increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and a reduced quality of life for those affected. Addressing noise pollution through policy interventions and technological improvements is crucial to reducing these external costs and protecting public health.
Environmental Pollution: Impacting Our World and Future
You may want to see also
The European Environmental Agency reports that noise ranks second only to air pollution as the most harmful environmental exposure
The European Environmental Agency (EEA) has reported that noise is the second most harmful environmental exposure, ranking just below air pollution. This is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has identified noise from transport as the second most significant environmental cause of ill health in Western Europe.
The EEA estimates that noise causes 12,000 premature deaths and 48,000 new cases of ischaemic heart disease in Europe each year. The WHO has also established that long-term exposure to noise above certain levels can lead to non-auditory health effects, including annoyance, sleep disturbance, negative effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic systems, and cognitive impairment in children.
In addition to the health impacts on humans, noise pollution also affects wildlife. According to the National Park Service in the United States, noise pollution has a significant environmental impact and causes serious harm to wildlife. Experts say that it can interfere with breeding cycles and rearing and even hasten the extinction of some species. For example, road traffic noise can make it difficult for frogs and songbirds to communicate with each other, reducing their ability to reproduce or forcing them to flee their habitats.
To address these issues, the EEA has set out objectives to significantly decrease noise pollution by 2020, aiming to move closer to WHO-recommended levels. The Environmental Noise Directive (END) is the primary legislative framework for achieving noise reduction in Europe, offering a common approach to avoiding and preventing exposure to environmental noise.
Air Pollution's Impact: Damaging Our Environment
You may want to see also
The International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise states that the dangers of noise pollution are often underestimated
The International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN) is a scientific organisation that aims to promote high-level scientific research on the effects of noise on human beings and animals. ICBEN's goal is to keep a vivid communication among the scientists working in the field.
ICBEN has nine teams, each focusing on a specific aspect of the effects of noise:
- Team 1: Noise-induced hearing loss
- Team 2: Noise and communication
- Team 3: Non-auditory effects of noise
- Team 4: Effects of noise on performance and behaviour
- Team 5: Effects of noise on sleep
- Team 6: Community response to noise and annoyance
- Team 7: Low-frequency noise and vibration
- Team 8: Interactions with other agents and contextual factors
- Team 9: Noise policy and economics
ICBEN's 2011-2014 review summarises the relevant findings, publications, developments, and policies related to the biological effects of noise. The review focuses on noise-induced hearing loss, non-auditory effects of noise, effects of noise on performance and behaviour, effects of noise on sleep, community response to noise, and interactions with other agents and contextual factors.
The review states that occupational settings and transport have been identified as the most prominent sources of noise that affect health. It highlights that noise is a prevalent and often underestimated threat to both auditory and non-auditory health. Furthermore, it emphasises the need for strategies to prevent noise and its associated negative health consequences to promote public health.
Asthma and Air Pollution: A Dangerous Mix
You may want to see also
Noise pollution can cause or worsen cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances, stress, mental health issues, and more
Noise pollution can have a significant impact on human health and well-being. It can cause a range of issues, including sleep disturbances, increased stress levels, hearing damage, and cardiovascular problems.
Sleep Disturbances
Environmental noise, especially from transportation, is a significant cause of sleep disturbances. Poor sleep quality can lead to various issues, including endocrine and metabolic changes, increased stress levels, and negative cardiometabolic, psychiatric, and social outcomes in both adults and children. Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating hormonal release, glucose regulation, and cardiovascular function. When this regulation is disrupted, it can have far-reaching consequences on overall health.
Nocturnal environmental noise can provoke measurable biological changes in the form of a stress response, affecting sleep architecture and subjective sleep quality. People struggling with nocturnal noise often experience daytime sleepiness, tiredness, annoyance, mood changes, decreased well-being, and reduced cognitive performance.
Cardiovascular Disease
Noise pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Acute noise exposure can lead to increased blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output, likely due to the release of stress hormones. This can have a particularly detrimental effect on individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Epidemiological studies have found associations between chronic exposure to transportation noise and elevated blood pressure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. These studies suggest that noise pollution contributes to the development of cardiovascular issues, with road traffic noise being a relevant risk factor.
Stress and Mental Health Issues
Noise pollution can trigger anxiety and stress responses in individuals. Continued exposure can lead to increased sensitivity to stress, irritability, frustration, and anger. Environmental noise is a common cause of sleep disturbances, which can further impact mood and concentration.
The impact of noise on mental health is intensified when individuals feel they have no control over their noise-polluted environment. This sense of powerlessness can heighten the negative mental health effects of noise pollution.
Other Health Issues
In addition to the issues mentioned above, noise pollution has been linked to various other health problems. For example, research suggests that short-term exposure to noise pollution may temporarily raise blood pressure and increase blood viscosity, while long-term exposure is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease.
Noise pollution can also impact pregnant people, as demonstrated by a 2018 Canadian study that found a link between higher levels of noise pollution and preeclampsia, a condition causing high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of noise pollution, including noise-induced hearing loss and difficulties with communication, speech development, and cognitive performance. Chronic noise exposure can lead to high blood pressure and behavioral issues in children and adolescents.
Overall, noise pollution has wide-ranging impacts on human health and well-being, affecting both physical and mental health. It is important to recognize these effects and take measures to reduce noise pollution and mitigate its harmful consequences.
Pollution's Impact on Cystic Fibrosis: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise above 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution. Noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 dB and is painful above 120 dB.
Constant loud noise can damage human health in many ways, particularly in the very young and the very old. It can cause respiratory agitation, a racing pulse, high blood pressure, headaches, and in cases of extremely loud, constant noise, gastritis, colitis, and even heart attacks. Noise can also cause sleep and behavioural disorders, as well as impairing memory and concentration.
According to the UK government, noise pollution costs the British economy around £20 billion annually in economic, social, and health costs. Heart disease derived from exposure to daytime traffic noise costs approximately £1,183 million per year, while tinnitus from traffic/leisure noise and hearing loss from loud music cost £52 million and £38 million per year, respectively.
Noise levels can impact property values, particularly around airports. For residential areas, property values decline between 0.4% and 1.1% per decibel, with an average value of 0.62%. For highways, a decrease of 8 to 10% in property values due to noise emissions has been observed.
Environmental costs are difficult to assess, but it is assumed that some living areas are not accessible to wildlife due to high noise levels emitted by different transportation modes.
