Helena Joyce
Noise pollution is defined as unwanted or excessive sound that can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. It is commonly generated in industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also comes from highway, railway, and airplane traffic, as well as outdoor construction activities. The most common health problem it causes is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, stress, and anxiety. Noise pollution also impacts the health and well-being of wildlife, including marine animals, particularly those that rely on echolocation, such as certain whales and dolphins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Unwanted or excessive sound that can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality |
| Sources | Machines, transport, propagation systems, industrial facilities, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, construction activities, loud music, lawn care maintenance, electrical generators, wind turbines, explosions, people |
| Effects | Hearing loss, high blood pressure, increased pulse rate, irritability, anxiety, mental fatigue, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, cognitive decline, memory impairment, attention span impairment |
| Decibel levels | Sounds above 120 dB are painful, sounds above 75 dB are harmful, sounds above 65 dB are considered noise pollution by the WHO, sounds above 40 dB can disrupt sleep, sounds above 30 dB can disrupt sleep in bedrooms |
| Regulations | The National Green Tribunal in India directed authorities in Delhi to adhere to guidelines on noise pollution, The Swedish Work Environment Authority has set a maximum sound exposure of 80 dB for eight hours, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends a maximum exposure of 85 dB for an eight-hour work shift, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a permissible exposure limit of 90 dB for an eight-hour workday |
| Prevention | Use of hearing protection, soundproofing, acoustic absorption, noise barriers, active noise control, noise-absorbing materials, education, urban planning |
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What You'll Learn
Noise pollution's impact on human health
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is unwanted and excessive noise that can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. It is mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems, and it can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbances.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common health problem associated with noise pollution. Sounds above 85 dB are considered potentially harmful to the ears, and noise above 140 dB can cause hearing damage after just one exposure. Repeated exposure to noise at 70 dB can also cause permanent hearing issues, and the louder the noise, the less time is required before hearing loss occurs.
Noise pollution has been linked to various health issues beyond hearing loss. It can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease, with chronic noise exposure contributing to an estimated 48,000 new cases of heart disease in Europe each year. Noise pollution has also been associated with type 2 diabetes, sleep disturbances, and mental health challenges. It can raise blood pressure and pulse rates, cause irritability, anxiety, and mental fatigue, and interfere with personal communication.
Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of noise pollution, with those living near noisy airports or streets suffering from stress and impairments in memory, attention level, and reading skills. Additionally, noise pollution can affect wildlife, such as birds and marine mammals, by interfering with their ability to navigate, find food, and communicate.
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and the normal human ear can detect sounds ranging from 0 dB (hearing threshold) to approximately 140 dB, with sounds between 120 dB and 140 dB causing pain. An increase of 10 dB represents a ten-fold increase in sound intensity, and a 30 dB increase represents a 1,000-fold increase. Regulatory bodies like the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set recommended exposure limits to protect workers from occupational noise hazards.
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Its effects on wildlife and biodiversity
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is unwanted and excessive noise that can have harmful effects on humans, wildlife, and environmental quality. It is mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems. The normal human ear can detect sounds ranging from 0 dB (hearing threshold) to about 140 dB, with sounds between 120 dB and 140 dB causing pain. Exposure to noise above 70 dB over time can lead to hearing loss, with the risk increasing as the volume and duration of exposure increase.
Noise pollution has been linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, stress, tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep disturbances. It can also interfere with communication, recreation, and personal well-being. Similarly, noise pollution impacts wildlife and biodiversity. A growing number of studies indicate that animals, like humans, experience stress in noisy environments.
For example, the endangered Sonoran pronghorn avoids areas with frequent aircraft noise, and female frogs exposed to traffic noise have difficulty locating male mating calls. Bats have been observed to avoid hunting in areas with road noise. These effects can have significant implications for the health and survival of wildlife populations, especially when combined with other stressors such as weather, disease, and food scarcity.
Noise pollution can also alter the behaviour of wildlife. For instance, a study found that increased sound levels in a high air traffic corridor in the Yellowstone backcountry resulted in a reduction of up to 70% in the area where predators could hear their prey. Another study on frogs by Allen-Ankins and Schwarzkopf (2022) analysed acoustic niche partitioning, while van Klink et al. (2022) monitored insect communities.
Additionally, noise pollution can affect wildlife communities by changing the behaviour and physiology of species, leading to direct and indirect consequences for other species in the ecosystem. As a result, noise has the potential to be a major selective force in shaping wildlife communities and their habitats.
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Sources of noise pollution
Noise pollution is a growing concern in urban areas, affecting both human health and wildlife. It is caused by a variety of sources, including industrial and non-industrial activities.
Industrial sources include noise from large machines working at high speed and high noise intensity, such as those used in mining, construction, and manufacturing. For example, the construction of highways, city streets, and buildings generates noise pollution, as does the use of power tools and heavy machinery on building sites. Fans, motors, and compressors mounted on the outside of industrial buildings can also cause noise pollution, impacting nearby residents.
Non-industrial sources of noise pollution include transportation and vehicular traffic. In cities, the main sources of traffic noise are the motors and exhaust systems of cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. Locomotive engines, horns, whistles, and switching and shunting operations in rail yards are also significant contributors to noise pollution. Aircraft, such as airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft, can generate significant noise pollution, especially when flying at low altitudes over populated areas.
Noise pollution can also come from neighbourhood activities, such as loud music, noisy parties, barking dogs, and lawn care maintenance. In some cases, poor urban planning can contribute to noise pollution, such as when industrial and residential buildings are located side-by-side.
Additionally, certain household equipment, such as vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances, can contribute to daily noise levels, although usually to a lesser extent. Fireworks used during celebrations can also cause noise pollution and lead to hearing loss.
Underwater noise pollution is another concern, with ship noise, oil drilling, sonar equipment, and seismic testing disrupting marine ecosystems and harming sea life, including marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
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How to measure noise levels
Noise pollution is any unwanted sound that can cause harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. Sounds are measured in decibels (dB), with the normal human ear able to detect sounds ranging between 0 dB (hearing threshold) and around 140 dB (pain threshold).
To measure noise levels, you can use a dedicated sound level meter (SLM) or a smartphone app. Here is a general step-by-step guide on how to measure sound levels:
- Purchase a class 1 or class 2 SLM. Class 1 SLMs are more precise and suitable for lab-quality measurements, while class 2 SLMs are slightly less accurate but still appropriate for general sound level measurements.
- Calibrate your SLM according to the manufacturer's instructions. This step is crucial for accurate readings and should be done before and after each use.
- Hold the SLM straight in front of you at ear level.
- Turn on the SLM to start measuring the noise level.
- Press the stop or pause button when you want to view the metrics.
- Read the metrics on the screen, which will be displayed in decibels (dB), A-rated decibels (dBA), or both.
Alternatively, you can use a smartphone app, such as SPL Meter, Decibel X, or Too Noisy Pro, to measure sound levels. These apps are available for both Android and iOS devices. Simply open the app and hold your smartphone straight in front of you or place it on a flat surface in the area you want to measure. Most apps will immediately display a fluctuating sound level reading.
It is important to note that noise levels above 80 dB for an extended period can be harmful and lead to hearing loss. Therefore, it is recommended to limit exposure time or wear hearing protection when dealing with loud noises.
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Strategies to reduce noise pollution
Noise pollution, unwanted or excessive sound, can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. It can cause hearing loss, raise blood pressure and pulse rates, cause irritability, anxiety, mental fatigue, and interfere with sleep, recreation, and personal communication.
For individuals
- Avoid noisy environments.
- Use hearing protection such as earplugs or noise-canceling headphones when exposed to loud noise.
- Turn off appliances when not in use.
- Lower the volume of your music or TV.
- Plant more trees in your surroundings.
- Opt for quieter means of transport such as bicycles or electric vehicles.
For industries and workplaces
- Use quieter equipment or machinery.
- Implement a low-noise purchasing policy for machinery and equipment.
- Avoid metal-on-metal impacts, for example, by lining chutes with abrasion-resistant rubber.
- Reduce vibration by adding material to vibrating machine panels.
- Isolate vibrating machinery or components from their surroundings using antivibration mounts or flexible couplings.
- Fit silencers to air exhausts and blowing nozzles.
- Erect enclosures around machines to reduce the amount of noise emitted.
- Use barriers and screens to block the direct path of sound.
- Position noise sources further away from workers.
- Use absorptive materials within the building to reduce reflected sound, such as open-cell foam or mineral wool.
- Keep noisy machinery and processes away from quieter areas.
- Limit the time spent in noisy areas.
- Regularly maintain machinery and equipment to ensure they do not become noisier over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Noise pollution is unwanted or excessive sound that can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality.
The main sources of noise pollution are machines, transport, and propagation systems. Some specific sources include loud music, transportation (traffic, rail, airplanes), lawn care maintenance, construction, electrical generators, wind turbines, and explosions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise above 65 decibels (dB) is considered noise pollution. Noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 dB and is painful above 120 dB.
Noise pollution can cause various health issues, including hearing loss, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular problems, high stress levels, anxiety, mental fatigue, and cognitive decline.
Noise pollution can be controlled by implementing noise barriers, active noise control measures, and soundproofing or acoustic-absorbing materials. Governments can also play a role in enforcing regulations and standards to limit noise emissions in specific industries and communities.
