Environment and Health Issues Related With Noise/Sound Pollution

Noise pollution is a modern Environmental issue we all have come across independent of where we live and who we are.

Noise pollution which is also termed as sound pollution is Regular exposure to elevated SOUND levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. Not all the sounds contributed to noise pollution and noise pollution does not depend solely on sound levels, it also depends on the duration of exposure to the sound

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.”

Noise/ sound pollution is classified into two as industrial noise pollution which is also termed as Environmental noise or non- industrial noise pollution (Examples may include air craft noise, roadway noise and underwater noise pollution) and industrial noise which is referred as occupational noise pollution.

CAUSES OF NOISE POLLUTION

1. INDUSTRIALIZATION

Industrial sounds due to operation of fans, generators, compressor, welding machines, cranes, vibrating and grinding equipment, punching holes into machines and mills

2. POOR URBAN PLANNING

Sometimes you may be living in a quite rural area, but still you must have seen this setting once you visit a congested city. Features of poor urban planning includes Workplace sounds, often common in open-space offices, Congested houses, large families sharing small space, fight over parking, frequent fights over basic amenities.

3. SOCIAL EVENTS

It is a common thing in urban settings. Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Events involving fireworks, firecrackers, loudspeakers etc. Most of these events end up with conflicts that generate noise pollution through gunfire and explosions.

4. TRANSPORTATION

Traffic noise accounts for most polluting noise in cities. A car horn produces 90 dB and a bus produces 100 dB. Street traffic sounds from pedestrians, ambulances etc. Train stations traffic also produces elevated sounds that lasts for few minutes and get disperse a considerable area. Airports, with constant elevated sounds from air traffic, i.e. planes taking off or landing. There are fewer aircraft flying over cities than there are cars on the roads, but the impact is greater: a single aircraft produces 130 dB

5. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Excessive noise in construction is annoying and distracting. Even at our houses, when there is a construction going on, we can feel how disturbing it is. Drilling or other heavy machinery in operation when constructing bridges, dams, buildings, roads and flyovers. People shouting and radios are tuned up too loud in order to escape from the boringness and tiredness of their work.

6. HOUSEHOLD CHORES

Household sounds, from the television set to music playing on the stereo or computer, vacuum cleaners, fans and coolers, washing machines, dishwashers, lawnmowers etc. These are minor contributors to the noise pollution that produce but still effects the quality of life neighborhood in a negative way causing same results of the noise/ sound pollution.

7.CATERING AND NIGHT LIFE

Same as in social events discussed previously, bars, restaurants and terraces that spill outside when the weather is good can produce more than 100 dB. This includes noise from pubs and clubs. People play songs in full volume and most of them as out of their minds due to excessive drunkenness and dance till mid night which makes the condition of people nearby worse.

8.  COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIESS AND MARKETING

In markets people are selling their goods, making loud noise to have attention of buyers. As a result, buyers can’t hear sellers and sellers can’t hear buyers. Miscommunication will take place. Use of loudspeakers constant loud music in or near commercial venues

EFFECTS OF LOUD MUSIC

1. HEARING PROBLEMS

This is a direct impact of noise pollution. Man made noises such as jackhammers, horns, machinery, and airplanes can be too loud for hearing range. Constant exposure to loud levels of sound can easily results in damage of our ear drums and loss of hearing

2. TROUBLE COMMUNICATING

Interference with spoken communication. High decibel noise can put trouble and interrupt communication of two persons freely. These results misunderstanding or face difficult in understanding the other. Constant sharp noise leads to headaches and emotional imbalances.

3. EFFECTS ON ANIMALS

This includes two parts.

• Effects on domestic life- The ill effects of excessive noise begin at home. Pets live in home with constant noise behave aggressively than others. They are also affected by noise pollution in the form of traffic, firecrackers etc., That’s why during aurudu season and Christmas season, there are advertisements going on to limit firecrackers if you have pets at your home.  Birds are especially affected by the increased air traffic.

• Effects on wildlife -Noise pollution can hinder the foraging ability and interfere animal communication. Animals like bats find their routes to the prey and distance from the invaders by sending sound waves and through the reflecting sound waves. Researchers have found that land and aquatic based eco systems are showing significant responses to loud noises

4. EFFECTS ON MARINE LIFE

Thousands of oil drills, sonars, seismic survey devices, coastal recreational watercraft and shipping vessels are becoming 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 feeding habits, reproductive patterns and migration routes, and can even cause hemorrhage and death of whales and dolphins

5. IMPAIRED TASK PERFORMANCE

The working performance of workers/ human will be affected as they will be losing their concentration.

6. EFFECTS ON HEALTH

A.  Hearing impairments – Can be directly caused by noise pollution. Constant exposure to loud noises can damage ear drums and loss of hearing. It also reduces sensitivity of ear drums to pick up small sounds.

B. Insomnia/ Sleeping disturbance – Loud noise hampers the sleep which leads to fatigue and less performance. Also, it may lead to irritation and uncomfortable situations.

C. CARDIO VASCULAR DISEASES   – High intensity noise causes high blood pressure and increases heart beat rate as it disrupts the normal blood flow.

D. HIGH BLOOD PORESSURE – A direct result of noise pollution caused elevated blood levels for a longer period of time.

E. 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.

F. IMPAIRMENT OF ENDIOCRINE RESPONSES– Environmental exposure has been established as a phenomenon causing annoyance and mental stress reactions, resulting in sympathetic and endocrine stress reactions (i.e., increased stress hormone levels) and psychological disorders.

G. PHYCHATRIC DISORDER– Noise can cause attacks of stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, hysteria, aggressive behavior in both humans and animals.

H. MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION RETARDNESS – Noise may affect people’s ability to focus, which can lead to low performance over time. It is also bad for the memory, making it hard to study.

Solutions to reduce noise pollution includes,

• INSTRUMENTAL DESIGNS – Check for machineries which are creating noise due to vibrations and put some noise absorbents to reduce noise.  Use proper lubrication as well as better maintenance of machines to reduce noise pollution and improve efficiency. It reduces friction between movable parts and helps to reduce noise.
• INCREASED AWARENESS OF NOISE – Awareness of noise pollution is essential to beat this invisible enemy. Educating the younger generation about sound pollution and its consequences
• AT HOME OR WORK – Turn off home and office appliances when not in use such as TV, computers etc. Engaging in housework at recommended times. Insulating the home or work place with noise – absorbing materials. Maintain a level of around 35dB in your bedroom at night, and around 40 dB in your house during the day. If possible, avoid jobs with regular exposure to elevated sound.
• public FOLLOWING THE NOISE LEVEL LIMITS – Taking measures to correct noise management by the government. Avoid very noisy activities. Fines for exceeding noise
  limits. Avoid prolonged use of earphones, especially at elevated sound levels. Community law should check use of loudspeakers, outdoor parties as well as politicalannouncements
• AVOID NOISE IN TRANSPORT – Alternative means of transport like bicycles or electric vehicles over car which is becoming popular in modern world due to their environment friendly features.
• AVOIDING NOISE IN PUBLIC PLACES- Wear earplugs whenever exposed to elevated noise levels. If possible, choose your residential areas as far removed from heavy traffic as you can. We can plant more trees as they are good noise absorbents. According to studies it can reduce noise by 5 to 10 decibels around them.

Piumi Jayalath
Undergraduate,
Department of Zoology and Environment Science,
Faculty of Science,
University of Colombo.

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