Noise pollution is unwanted (or excessive)
sound which produces
discomfort on the ears. Noise pollution is commonly
generated inside many industrial facilities and other workplaces, but it also
comes from highway, railway, and airplane traffic, and from outdoor
construction activities.
You may not have given much thought to how side
conversations affect productivity, or how the busy roadway next to your office
affects your employees work, but noise pollution can be a significant problem
in the workplace.
Noise pollution
is not merely a nuisance, but a serious health hazard and environmental
problem. We need to be aware of the dangers and how to effectively protect
ourselves from this not so silent pollution. 
Most of you would think noise
pollution is something that only machinery workers need to worry about, but in
reality it is a problem we all need to be aware of. If it is not prevented, it
could result in serious health problems. Sound is essential to our everyday
lives, but noise is not. Below are important pieces of information about noise pollution
you should know:
Noise pollution (household)
can be reduced easily-Noise pollution needs to be controlled to
maintain acceptable levels. Measures include: containment of noise at the source,
sound insulation (as sound travels through cracks, these spaces should be
packed with sound absorbing material), sound proof walls (protect your house
from outside noise before it can enter your yard), and plant trees (planting
trees and shrubs help to reduce noise to a considerable extent).
Noise pollution (household)
is typically self-induced-It’s easy to understand that industrial
workers who use big machines are affected by noise pollution. But you’re not a
factory worker so you’re safe right? Wrong, noise pollution can affect you even
in the comfort of your own home like congested housing (large families sharing a
small space), transportation (houses next to busy traffic, trains or airplanes),
household (air conditioning units or generators), and social (music headphones,
bass sound systems or loud neighbors).
We are not the only ones affected by noise pollution. Marine scientists are concerned with the excessive noise used by oil drills and submarines on the inside of the ocean. Many marine animals use hearing to find food and to defend themselves, and to survive in the ocean. Submarine sonars can be felt 300 miles away from the source.
We are not the only ones affected by noise pollution. Marine scientists are concerned with the excessive noise used by oil drills and submarines on the inside of the ocean. Many marine animals use hearing to find food and to defend themselves, and to survive in the ocean. Submarine sonars can be felt 300 miles away from the source.
Noise pollution can
cause more than just temporary discomfort-There are many side
effects of noise pollution causing negative changes to general health and well-being.
Apart from causing injury to the ear leading to loss of hearing, noise
pollution can cause many serious health issues. Here are some side effects: anxiety,
emotional and behavioral stress, increased chance of headache, high blood
pressure and heart failure, damage to the liver, brain and heart, increased
heart rate, constriction of blood vessels, dilation of pupils, disturbances in
the nervous system, insomnia, and increase in cholesterol levels.
Noise-induced hearing
loss (NIHL) is one hundred percent preventable-The maximum safe hearing
volume for humans is 80 decibels (dB). For those who work above that limit, they
will experience hearing loss eventually. To give you an idea of how noise
is compared to everyday life events, take a look at this: refrigerator humming
(45dB), general conversation (60dB), city traffic (85dB), motorbike (95dB), Mp3
player at max volume (105dB), sirens (120dB), and firecrackers (150dB). The
most common and easiest ways to prevent NIHL in your own home is to sound proof
your space, keep noisy machines away from living areas, and limit your time
spent with prolonged use of noise.
“Even in the most beautiful music, there are some silences, which
are there so we can witness the importance of silence. Silence is more
important than ever, as life today is full of noise. We speak a lot about environmental
pollution but not enough about noise pollution.” (Andrea Bocelli)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“4 Surprising Facts about Noise Pollution” by
Wallmark
·
“5 Surprising Facts about Noise Pollution” by Sound Fighter Systems
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