vPreface
Many people don’t realise noise pollution is an important problem, impacting human health, including theirs. Of course, there are many more premature deaths associated with air pollution than for noise. However, noise seems to have a larger impact on indicators related to quality of life and mental health. In fact, according to some World Health Organization (WHO) findings, noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems, just after the impact of air pollution (particulate matter).
v Definition
The word noise is derived
from a Latin word ‘Nausea’ which means sickness in which one feels the need to
vomit. Noise pollution is an unwanted or excessive sound that can have
deleterious effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality.
Not all sound is
considered noise pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise
above 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful
when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB. As a consequence,
it is recommended noise levels be kept below 65 dB during the day and indicates
that restful sleep is impossible with nighttime ambient noise levels in excess
of 30 dB.
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v Causes
(sources) of noise pollution
Multiple causes
may attribute to noise pollution. Some of the most popular causes are listed
below.
1. Industrialization
Most of the
industries use big machines which are capable of producing a large amount of
noise. Apart from that, various equipment like compressors, generators, exhaust
fans, grinding mills also participates in producing big noise.
2. Poor Urban Planning
In most of the
developing countries, poor urban planning also plays a vital role. Congested
houses, large families sharing small space, fight over parking, frequent fights
over basic amenities lead to noise pollution, which may disrupt the environment
of society.
4It doesn’t just
affect their sleep and hours of rest but also has an adverse effect on the
development and well-being of children.
3. Social Events
Noise is at its
peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties, pub, disc
or place of worship, people normally flout rules set by the local
administration and create a nuisance in the area.
People play songs
on full volume and dance till midnight, which makes the condition of people
living nearby pretty worse. In markets, you can see people selling clothes via
making a loud noise to attract the attention of people.
4. Transportation
A large number of
vehicles on roads, airplanes flying over houses, underground trains produce
heavy noise, and people find it difficult to get accustomed to that.
The high noise
leads to a situation wherein a normal person loses the ability to hear
properly.
5. Construction
Activities
Under construction
activities like mining, construction of bridges, dams, buildings, stations,
roads, flyovers takes place in almost every part of the world.
However, while
this does help us to some degree, in the long run, the noise from construction
activities hinders the hearing abilities of individuals exposed to this sound.
6. Household Chores
We people are
surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily life. Gadgets like
TV, mobile, mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners, washing machine
and dryer, cooler, air conditioners are minor contributors to the amount of
noise that is produced. Still, it affects the quality of life of your
neighborhood in a bad way.
While this form of
pollution may seem harmless, it, in fact, has far-reaching consequences. The
adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe.
7. Noise From Air
Traffic
While many find it
difficult to believe, air traffic too contributes to significant levels of
noise pollution. Noise from a single aircraft may produce sounds of up to 130
dB. Now, imagine the amount of noise produced by the numerous aircraft
traveling our airspace.
8. Catering and
Nightlife
When the weather
is good, restaurants, bars, and terraces spill outside. Late night parties
continue with loud music and unnecessary noise made by the party mongers. These
can produce more than 100 dB. The noise from pubs and clubs are also included.
9. Animals’ Sound
The noise made by
animals cannot go unnoticed, particularly a howling or barking dog. These can
produce noise around 60-80 dB.
vPrevention
and control of noise pollution
Total elimination
of annoying sound is quite impossible. However noise pollution can be minimized
by taking the following important measures.
ü Reduction of noise at source
ü Reduction of population exposed
ü Duration of noise exposure
Some of the tips
that can assist in controlling noise pollution include---
I. Use
of earplugs: One
of the cost-effective tips for reducing noise pollution is wearing earplugs.
They can be worn in working places and while sleeping to reduce the amount of
noise from the surrounding environment. They have health benefits such as
healthy sleeping habits and prevent damage to the eardrum.
II. Soundproofing: Industrial plants
that produce a lot of noise from their machinery can use soundproof materials
to reduce high sound frequencies. At home, one can install soundproofing materials
that block the noise and associated vibrations. Double-pane windows, for
example, can be an impressive method for preventing noise pollution.
III. Closing
the windows: To
prevent unwanted noise from entering into the house and buildings, one can simply
close the windows and open them when it is quite.
IV. Jarring
horns: To
reduce the noise that is associated with continuous hoots in traffic, vehicles
can install horns that have jarring sounds. In cases where the exhaust pipes
are damaged, they should be repaired and noisy trucks banned.
V. Law
enforcement: The
state and local governments should have proper laws that prevent noise
pollution near residential areas. They can give authority to community law
enforcers who will have the mandate of checking noise polluters. An example is
whereby laws are enforced such that industries or noise-producing businesses
are set up and operated away from schools, colleges, hospitals, and residential
areas.
VI. Noise-canceling
headphones: They
can be used by workers to reduce noise pollution in industrial and construction
workers. They filter any unwanted noise and prevent it from reaching the ears.
VII. Use
of barriers or go green by planting trees: A simple way of
reducing the vibrations and strong sound waves is through the use of barriers
such as fences and planting trees around the house. These barriers would absorb
the waves and reduce environmental noise significantly.
VIII. Lubrication
and better maintenance of machines: When the moving
parts of machines and engines are well maintained and lubricated, it not only
improves efficiency but also aids in reducing noise. The reason is that
lubrication and proper maintenance reduces friction between moving parts.
IX. The
use of creativity in house and office layout: Being innovative
in the placement of equipment can significantly help in reducing noise
pollution. Noisy house appliances and office equipment can be placed at the far
ends of the house or office, therefore, reducing the levels of noise that
reaches resting or working areas.
X. Use of silencers: The noise from ducts, exhaust or convey systems etc can be controlled by making use of sound absorption silencers. For this purpose glass wool or mineral wool covered with a sheet of perforated metal for mechanical protection is suitable.
v Deduction
Noise pollution is
an invisible danger. It cannot be seen, but it is present nonetheless, both on
land and under the sea. Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or
disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other
organisms. Hence necessary arrangements have to be made and steps should be
stricktly followed to control noise pollution.