Helena Joyce
Noise pollution, also known as sound pollution, is defined as unwanted or excessive sound that has the potential to cause harmful effects on humans, animals, and the environment. It is mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems, and can be generated in industrial facilities, workplaces, highways, railways, and more. The impact of noise pollution on human health includes hearing loss, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, sleep disturbances, and stress. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems. In addition to humans, noise pollution also affects wildlife, particularly marine animals such as whales and dolphins that rely on echolocation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Unwanted or excessive sound that can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality |
| Sources | Machines, transport, and propagation systems; industrial facilities, workplaces, highways, railways, airplanes, outdoor construction activities |
| Effects on Humans | Hearing loss, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, stress, sleep disturbances, cognitive decline, lost productivity, speech interference, tinnitus |
| Effects on Wildlife | Interference with abilities to attract mates, communicate, navigate, find food, avoid predators; threat to vulnerable organisms |
| Metrics | A-weighting, C-weighting, Z-weighting, LAeq, LAmax, TWA, dose, projected dose |
| Measurement Tools | Sound level meters, noise dosimeters, octave band analyzers, phone apps |
| Prevention | Hearing protection devices, earplugs, ear muffs, education, hearing tests |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
What is considered harmful noise?
Noise is considered harmful when it exceeds 85 decibels (dBA). The louder the noise, the more harmful it is, and the less time is required before hearing loss occurs. Exposure to harmful noise can happen at any age, and it can be either immediate or take a long time to become noticeable. It can also be temporary or permanent, and it can affect one or both ears.
Sounds at or below 70 dBA, even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. However, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for hearing loss to occur. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours, but if the sound increases to 88 dBA, safe listening time decreases to 4 hours, and if it goes up to 91 dBA, safe listening time is only 2 hours.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) occurs when the sensitive structures in the inner ear are damaged by loud sounds. NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense "impulse" sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period, such as noise generated by woodworking tools. Recreational activities that can put you at risk for NIHL include target shooting, hunting, snowmobile riding, listening to music at high volume through earbuds or headphones, playing in a band, and attending loud concerts. Harmful noises may also come from sources at home, including lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and woodworking tools.
Loud noise can also cause other health problems, such as tinnitus, high blood pressure, and increased heart rate. It can make it harder to pay attention and concentrate, and it can impact your social life and work performance. It is important to cut down on noise exposure and protect your hearing by using hearing protection devices (HPDs) such as earmuffs and plugs when necessary.
Creek Pollution: What's Harming Our Waterways?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How is noise measured?
Noise pollution is defined as "the presence in the environment of noise or vibrations, whatever the acoustic emitter that originates them, which implies annoyance, risk or damage to people, to the development of their activities or to goods of any nature". It is typically generated inside many industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also comes from road, rail, and air traffic and outdoor construction activities.
Noise is measured in decibels (dB), which is a logarithmic unit that measures the loudness (amplitude) or sound pressure level (SPL) of a sound wave. The normal human ear can detect sounds that range between 0 dB (hearing threshold) and about 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, while an increase of 30 dB represents a 1,000-fold increase in intensity. Sounds above 80 dB can lead to hearing loss with prolonged exposure, and sounds above 105 dB will definitely cause some degree of permanent hearing loss.
Noise can also be measured by its pitch, or frequency, which is the number of sound waves propagated through the air per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). The range of frequencies audible to the human ear is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, but this varies with age and across species. For example, elephants can hear infrasound (between 0 and 20 Hz), while bats can hear ultrasound (above 20,000 Hz).
There are several methods for measuring noise levels. One way is to use a sound level meter, which can be either a standalone device or an app on a smartphone. These meters use microphones or sound sensors to measure sound levels in real time and can provide measurements in A-, C-, or Z-weighted decibels. Another method for measuring noise is to keep a log of disruptive noises and how they make you feel over a period of time. This can help identify repeatable disruptive environments and take readings and observations in those settings.
Exposing Initiative 1631: Who Are the Exempt Polluters?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sources of noise pollution
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, refers to the presence of excessive or unwanted sound that can have negative effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. It is one of the most dangerous environmental threats to health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and feels painful when it is above 120 dB.
Noise pollution has two sources: industrial and non-industrial. Industrial sources include noise from large machines working at high speed and high noise intensity, such as those used in mining, construction, and manufacturing. This also includes machinery and equipment used in transportation, such as locomotive engines, horns, and whistles.
Non-industrial sources of noise pollution include transport/vehicular traffic, neighbourhood noise, and natural sources. Traffic noise is a significant source of noise pollution, especially in urban areas, with cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and aircraft all contributing to the problem. Neighbourhood noise can include loud music, noisy parties, barking dogs, and other noise pollutants. Natural sources of noise pollution include animal noises, such as barking dogs, chirping birds, or crowing cockerels, especially at night.
Underwater noise pollution is also a significant issue, with ship noise, oil drilling, sonar equipment, and seismic testing all disrupting marine ecosystems and causing harm to sea life, including marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
Running in Polluted Environments: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Effects of noise pollution on humans
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise or sound with potentially harmful effects on humans and animals. Unwanted or excessive sound can have deleterious effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality.
Noise pollution can cause several health issues for humans, including:
- Hearing loss: Exposure to loud noise can cause physical damage to the eardrum and the sensitive hair cells of the inner ear, resulting in temporary or permanent hearing loss, known as Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). NIHL is the most common and often discussed health effect of noise pollution.
- Cardiovascular issues: Research has shown a link between noise pollution and cardiovascular issues, including raised blood pressure, increased blood viscosity, and heart disease. A 2019 review found an association between long-term exposure to noise and higher rates of cardiovascular disease.
- Sleep disturbances: Excessive noise exposure can interfere with sleep, affecting 6.5 million people in Europe alone.
- Stress: Studies have found that the more people are bothered by noise, the greater the health risks they face. Even those who tune out noise pollution experience autonomic stress reactions.
- Mental health issues: Noise pollution has been linked to various mental health issues, including anxiety, irritability, mental fatigue, and cognitive decline.
- Learning and behavioural problems in children: Children living in areas with high levels of noise pollution may suffer from stress and other problems, such as impairments in memory, attention span, reading skills, and confidence.
While individuals can take steps to protect themselves from noise pollution, such as wearing hearing protection, researchers argue that it is not always feasible for those living in noisy areas to reduce their exposure. Therefore, noise pollution control is important in the workplace and community.
Inland Actions: Ocean Pollution's Unseen Source
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Effects of noise pollution on wildlife
Noise pollution has a wide range of effects on wildlife, from altering their behaviour and physiology to causing hearing loss and even death. As human activities increasingly encroach on natural habitats, noise becomes an invisible danger to the health and well-being of animals.
Behavioural Changes
Noise pollution can disrupt the natural behaviours of wildlife, such as mating rituals and communication. For example, male frogs have been observed calling at a higher pitch to adapt to traffic noise, which may be less attractive to females who prefer lower-pitched calls. Birds in noisy environments have also taken to singing at night, when their songs can carry more clearly through the reduced ambient noise.
Hearing Loss
Noise levels of 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss in animals, just as it does in humans. This can be particularly detrimental to species that rely on sound for essential activities such as navigation, finding food, and avoiding predators. For example, whales and dolphins use echolocation for these purposes, and noise pollution from ships and human activities can interfere with their ability to survive.
Increased Stress and Health Risks
Noise pollution can cause stress and increase heart rate and breathing in animals, similar to the effects of stress in humans. Studies have shown that loud noises can cause caterpillars' dorsal vessels (equivalent to a heart) to beat faster. Additionally, bluebirds in noisy environments have been found to have fewer chicks, indicating a potential impact on reproduction.
Reduced Habitat and Species Diversity
Noise pollution can reduce the effective size of habitats, as animals' ability to hear and respond to their environment is diminished. This can alter the delicate balance between predators and prey, increasing the risk of death. It can also lead to territory abandonment and a reduction in species diversity, as some species may no longer find the habitat suitable or may struggle to compete for resources.
Marine Environments at Risk
Marine environments are particularly sensitive to noise pollution, with human activities such as shipping, fishing, and seismic tests creating a loud and chaotic underwater soundscape. Sonar sounds, for instance, can be as loud as 235 decibels and interfere with whales' echolocation, causing mass strandings and altered feeding behaviours. The impact of noise pollution on marine invertebrates, such as cuttlefish, is also an area of growing concern.
Animals' Pollution: The Unseen Impact on Our Land
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Noise pollution is any unwanted or excessive sound that can have harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality.
Sources of noise pollution include machines, transport, and propagation systems. Some of the main sources of noise in residential areas include loud music, transportation (traffic, rail, airplanes, etc.), lawn care maintenance, construction, electrical generators, wind turbines, explosions, and people.
Noise pollution can cause several health problems, including hearing loss, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, sleep disturbances, stress, and other harmful effects. It also impacts wildlife, interfering with their ability to communicate, navigate, find food, and avoid predators.
