Kiera Jefferson
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, refers to the propagation of noise or sound with potentially harmful effects on humans, animals, and the environment. While noise problems are not a new phenomenon, the 20th century was the noisiest in history, with the advent of automobiles, planes, and industrial machinery contributing to unprecedented levels of noise pollution. The concept of noise as a health issue has gained traction in recent times, with research linking noise pollution to various adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, hearing loss, and cognitive decline. The growing recognition of noise as a significant health threat is expected to lead to a shift in its definition and the implementation of policies to mitigate its impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First known noise ordinance | The council of the province of Sybaris, a Greek colony in the Aegean, ruled that potters, tinsmiths, and other tradesmen must live outside the city walls because of the noise they make. |
| First to identify tinnitus | Hippocrates |
| First authoritative reference to noise as a health problem | Dr John Fosbroke, writing in the Lancet |
| First noise-measuring device | The Rayleigh disc |
| First quantitative study of noise-induced hearing loss | Dr Thomas Barr |
| World's first Society for the Suppression of Noise | Founded in London |
| First objective environmental noise survey | Conducted in New York City |
| Noise problems in ancient Rome | Documented problems associated with noise in ancient Rome |
| Noise problems in 1890s London | Described by an anonymous contributor to the Scientific American as "beyond all imaginings" |
| Noise problems in 1900s New York City | Mary Walton found the noise of New York City's elevated trains so unpleasant that she decided to reduce it |
| Noisiest century in history | The 20th century |
| Most significant increases in noise in history | The Industrial Revolution |
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What You'll Learn
Noise pollution's impact on human health
Noise pollution has been recognised as a health hazard for centuries, with documented problems associated with noise in urban environments dating back to ancient Rome. Despite this, the specific term "noise pollution" appears to have been coined more recently, with the first known noise ordinance implemented by the council of the Greek colony of Sybaris, which ruled that certain tradesmen must live outside the city walls due to the noise they created.
Today, noise pollution is a pervasive issue, impacting the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide. It is caused primarily by machines, transportation, and propagation systems, with major sources including road and air traffic, industrial sites, and construction. While anyone can be affected by noise pollution, it disproportionately affects people in low-income and racial minority neighbourhoods, with 12% of the US population affected by jet noise, for example.
The impact of noise pollution on human health is extensive and far-reaching. One of the most common health problems it causes is noise-induced hearing loss, with sounds exceeding 85 decibels capable of causing harm to the ears. Other health issues associated with noise pollution include:
- High blood pressure and hypertension: Exposure to loud noise has been linked to increased blood pressure, particularly in children.
- Cardiovascular disease: Noise pollution has been found to contribute to heart disease, with estimates of 48,000 new cases in Europe each year attributed to chronic noise exposure.
- Sleep disturbances: Unwanted sound can interfere with sleep, impacting an individual's quality of life and overall health.
- Stress: Noise pollution can increase stress levels, with even those who tune it out experiencing autonomic stress reactions.
- Cognitive decline: Research suggests that noise pollution may be linked to faster cognitive decline and impairments in memory, attention, and reading skills.
- Type 2 diabetes: While less commonly recognised, noise pollution has been implicated as a contributing factor to type 2 diabetes.
These impacts on human health are not limited to physical ailments but extend to psychological and social effects as well. For example, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may experience hyperacusis, or abnormal sensitivity to sound, leading to unpleasant emotions, anxiety, and isolation. Additionally, as with second-hand smoke, noise pollution can be imposed on individuals without their consent, affecting their well-being and quality of life.
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The history of noise pollution
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is defined as unwanted sound with potentially harmful effects on humans and animals. It is a modern plague that has invaded every aspect of our lives, from our homes to public spaces, and has become an unfortunate fact of life worldwide.
The Industrial Revolution brought about significant increases in noise levels, with machines and transportation becoming major sources of noise pollution. London, in particular, was described as having noise that "surged like a mighty heartbeat" in the 19th century. James Watt's steam engine and the proliferation of jet planes contributed significantly to the rising noise levels.
In the 20th century, efforts to control noise pollution began, and by the late 1920s, technology was being used to measure and control it. However, progress was set back by the Great Depression, World War II, and the post-war flight to the suburbs. This century was the noisiest in history, with noise spreading to suburbs, rural areas, and even protected wilderness areas.
The recognition of noise as a significant health threat is a more recent development. Research has linked noise pollution to various adverse health effects, including cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep disturbances. The transition from considering noise as merely an annoyance to a serious health problem has led to a shift in our understanding and definition of noise.
Today, noise pollution continues to grow in extent, frequency, and severity due to population growth, urbanization, and technological advancements. With the growing body of scientific evidence, public policymakers are becoming more responsive to the health implications of noise pollution, and efforts are being made to regulate and mitigate its impact.
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Noise pollution's effect on marine life
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise or sound with potentially harmful effects on humans and animals. The main sources of outdoor noise worldwide are machines, transport, and propagation systems. As sound is transmitted extremely well through water, marine animals have evolved to rely on sound as an important sensory signal for survival. Therefore, noise pollution has a detrimental effect on marine life.
Marine animals are highly dependent on sound for their survival. They use sound to communicate, locate mates and prey, avoid predators, navigate, and defend their territories. Noise pollution interferes with these key life functions and, in some cases, even causes death. As noise pollution in the ocean has increased dramatically, it has become extremely damaging to marine wildlife.
Noise pollution has been found to induce changes in the distributional, physiological, and behavioral patterns of marine organisms. For example, a study on white damselfish, a coral reef fish, found that ship noise compromised its anti-predator behavior. The distraction of anthropogenic noise may be affecting the fish's escape response and routine swimming. Another study on two species of marine fish found that additional noise reduced acoustic courtship in both species and visual courtship in one species. Furthermore, the exposed males were less likely to spawn successfully.
Noise pollution can also cause immediate damage such as hearing loss. Research from a 2006 study found that temporary and permanent hearing loss in marine mammals resulted in a reduction in foraging efficiency, reproductive potential, social cohesion, and ability to detect predators. A 2018 study concluded that some commercial catches dropped by up to 80% due to noise, with larger fish leaving the area. Additionally, noise pollution has impaired fish hearing, killed and isolated whale populations, intensified stress response in marine species, and changed species' physiology.
To reduce noise pollution in the marine environment, policies are needed to mitigate the sounds of ship propellers, sonar equipment, seismic air guns, pile driving, and construction. Quieter technologies also need to be developed to improve the ocean soundscape and enable the recovery of marine life.
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Noise pollution's impact on people with autism
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise or sound with potentially harmful effects on humans and animals. Documented problems associated with noise in urban environments date back to ancient Rome. The first authoritative reference to noise as a health problem was by Dr John Fosbroke, who wrote that "blacksmiths' deafness is a consequence of employment".
Noise pollution has been found to have a unique impact on individuals with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can often lead to hyperacusis, an abnormal sensitivity to sound. People with ASD who experience hyperacusis may have unpleasant emotions, such as fear and anxiety, as well as uncomfortable physical sensations in noisy environments with loud sounds. This can cause individuals with ASD to avoid environments with noise pollution, which can result in isolation and negatively affect their quality of life.
The exact reason why many children and adults with autism under- or over-react to sound is still unknown. However, researchers have found that children with autism have stronger autonomic reactions than typically developing children when they hear noises, and even when they don't. This suggests that their stronger bodily responses may trigger greater behavioural responses to sound. One study found that youth with autism showed greater activity in certain brain regions, including the amygdala, which is involved in social and emotional behaviour, and the cortices that process sensory information.
Noise sensitivity is common in autism, although it also occurs in people who are not on the spectrum. According to a 2021 scientific review, 50 to 70 percent of autistic people were hypersensitive to everyday sounds at some point in their lives. This may cause distress and interfere with routine activities, such as sitting in a noisy classroom or travelling to work amid rumbling trucks. Certain sounds that are typically annoying to most people, such as nails on a blackboard, can be extremely painful and cause unwanted intrusions for people with autism.
There is also evidence that exposure to ambient noise and air pollution may affect the manifestation and severity of ASD. A study of 2750 children between 10 and 12 years old in the Netherlands found that higher levels of exposure to particulate matter were associated with more severe ASD and ADHD symptoms. However, this association decreased over time, and no other consistent associations were found between noise or other air pollutants and ASD and ADHD severity.
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Noise pollution's effect on wildlife
Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise or sound with potentially harmful effects on humans and animals. The sources of outdoor noise worldwide are mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems. The problem of noise pollution has been documented as far back as ancient Rome, and it has only increased in severity since then.
Noise pollution has a significant impact on wildlife, affecting their health, behavior, and survival. Here are some of the ways in which noise pollution affects wildlife:
- Hearing Loss: Noise levels of 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss in animals, as seen in studies of Glaswegian boiler-makers by Dr. Thomas Barr.
- Masking: Noise can make it difficult for animals to hear important environmental and animal signals, such as those used for communication or detecting prey. For example, in noisy environments, birds have started singing at night to be heard, and some frog species are calling at a higher pitch to adapt to traffic noise.
- Increased Heart Rate and Breathing: Noise pollution has been found to increase heart rate and breathing in animals, as seen in coral reef fish.
- Behavioral Effects: Noise can alter the behavior of animals, including changes in alertness, vocalizations, foraging, and nesting. For example, ship noise has been found to compromise the anti-predator behavior of the white damselfish, a coral reef fish.
- Territory Abandonment: The negative effects of noise pollution can lead to territory abandonment by animals, as they seek quieter habitats.
- Loss of Reproduction: Noise pollution can impact the reproduction of species, with some studies showing reduced numbers of species in noisy habitats.
- Marine Life Impact: Marine life is particularly vulnerable to noise pollution. As marine species often rely primarily on sound for survival, increasing anthropogenic noise can compromise their survivability. For example, noise pollution has been linked to decreased diversity in cetaceans like whales and dolphins and has impaired fish hearing.
Noise pollution has far-reaching consequences for wildlife, affecting their health, behavior, and ability to survive and reproduce. It is essential to address this growing global issue to protect ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
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Frequently asked questions
Noise pollution has been a problem for thousands of years, with documented issues in ancient Rome. However, it was during the Industrial Revolution that noise, alongside air pollution, became a significant issue for humans.
The main sources of noise pollution are machines, transport, and propagation systems. This includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, and planes.
Noise pollution has been linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep disturbances. It can also affect mental health and social activities.
Noise pollution has been found to induce changes in the distributional, physiological, neurological, endocrinological, and behavioral patterns of marine and coral reef organisms. It can interfere with communication, navigation, habitat selection, foraging, and reproduction.
