NOISE POLLUTION

                      Noise Pollution

WHAT IS NOISE POLLUTION?

¢ Sound that is unwanted or disrupts one’s quality of life is called as noise. When there is lot of noise in the environment, it is termed as noise pollution.

¢ Sound becomes undesirable when it disturbs the normal activities such as working, sleeping, and during conversations.

¢ It is an underrated environmental problem because of the fact that we can’t see, smell, or taste it.

World Health Organization stated that “Noise must be recognized as a major threat to human well-being”

Health Effects

¢ According to the USEPA, there are direct links between noise and health. Also, noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people.

¢ Noise pollution can damage physiological and psychological health.

¢ High blood pressure, stress related illness, sleep disruption, hearing loss, and productivity loss are the problems related to noise pollution.

¢ It can also cause memory loss, severe depression, and panic attacks.

Sources of Noise Pollution

¢ Transportation systems are the main source of noise pollution in urban areas.

¢ Construction of buildings, highways, and streets cause a lot of noise, due to the usage of air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, and pavement breakers.

¢ Industrial noise also adds to the already unfavorable state of noise pollution.

¢ Loud speakers, plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners, fans, and vacuum cleaners add to the existing noise pollution.

Solutions for Noise Pollution

¢ Planting bushes and trees in and around sound generating sources is an effective solution for noise pollution.

¢ Regular servicing and tuning of automobiles can effectively reduce the noise pollution.

¢ Buildings can be designed with suitable noise absorbing material for the walls, windows, and ceilings.

¢ Workers should be provided with equipments such as ear plugs and earmuffs for hearing protection.

¢ Similar to automobiles, lubrication of the machinery and servicing should be done to minimize noise generation.

¢ Soundproof doors and windows can be installed to block unwanted noise from outside.

¢ Regulations should be imposed to restrict the usage of play loudspeakers in crowded areas and public places.

¢ Factories and industries should be located far from the residential areas.

¢ Community development or urban management should be done with long-term planning, along with an aim to reduce noise pollution.

¢ Social awareness programs should be taken up to educate the public about the causes and effects of noise pollution.