Introduction
Pollution is defined as the introduction of impurities into a natural environment, which hampers its quality. Depending on the nature of the contaminants and the environment where they are introduced, one can categorize Pollution accordingly.
In this article, you will become familiar with the fundamental causes and effects of Noise Pollution and will also find out about effective preventive measures in brief.
With that being said, let’s proceed to find out more about the impact of Noise Pollution.
What is Noise Pollution?
It is defined as the unwarranted and excessive sounds in the environment which tend to interrupt the normal flow of activities. Needless to say, they have an unpleasant impact on the environment and its habitants.
It is noteworthy that the permissible Noise limit in residential areas is around 55dB during the day hours while 45 dB for the night hours. Anything beyond the allowable limit is considered Noise Pollution.
Test Your Knowledge 1: What is Noise?
A source of stress
Unwarranted sound
An irritant
All of these.
Test Your Knowledge 2: _____ is used to measure the intensity of sound.
Frequency meter
Sound level meter
Both A and B
Neither A nor B.
What are the Causes of Noise Pollution?
The following are some of the prominent causes of Noise Pollution –
Industrialization.
Poor and inadequate urban planning.
Transportation.
Social events.
Construction activities.
Test Your Knowledge: Sound is measured in:
ppm
Decibel
Hertz
None of these.
On that note, let’s quickly check out the consequences of Noise Pollution and find out ways to prevent them.
What are the Effects of Noise Pollution?
The harmful effects of Noise Pollution are not just limited to human beings; it can also have an impact on animals and the environment on the whole.
These pointers highlight the major effects of sound pollution.
Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health
Here’s how sound Pollution impacts human beings –
Increases stress.
Causes irritability.
Soars blood pressure.
Affects the sleep cycle.
This leads to hearing impairment.
Damages cognitive functions.
The image below shows a pictorial representation of how Noise Pollution affects humans.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Effects of Noise Pollution on Animals
These are some common impacts of sound Pollution on animals –
Hampers their prey-predator behavior and increases their risk of death.
Hampers their ability to navigate.
Damages their hearing ability.
Hampers their reproductive ability.
Lead to unusual changes in behavior.
DIY: Find out the other effects of Noise Pollution on the environment and add them to the list above.
Measures to Control Noise Pollution
Following are some of the most effective measures of controlling Noise Pollution.
Usage of earplugs, Noise proof helmets, headphones, ear-muffs in a noisy workspace to limit occupational exposure.
Installation of noisy equipment in soundproof rooms.
Using machines and equipment that emit less sound or using silencers to control Noise at the source.
Implementing silence zone protocols near hospitals, educational institutions and residential areas.
Insulating sound at construction units.
Planting shrubs and trees to buffer Noise.
Adopting stringent policies to curb Noise Pollution.
Find out more about what Noise Pollution is and its effects by enrolling for our live online classes. Also, by accessing our study solutions and chapter-wise notes, you will be able to strengthen your knowledge about other topics quite effectively.
FAQs on Effects of Noise Pollution
1. What is Noise Pollution?
Noise Pollution can be defined as extremely loud sounds that tend to hamper the quality of the environment and habitats living in it. It can also be described as Noise that is beyond the permissible limit.
2. What are the harmful effects of Noise Pollution?
Several harmful effects are associated with Noise Pollution and hamper the quality of not just human beings but also animals. For example, it leads to stress, irregular sleep patterns, irritability, hearing impairment, raises blood pressure, etc.
3. What are the measures to control Noise Pollution?
Some of the most potent ways to control Noise Pollution are by imposing stricter laws, creating silence zone protocols, and using soundproofing in industries. Similarly, one can control Noise Pollution at a personal level by using ear-muffs, headphones, earplugs, etc.
4. What are the causes of Noise Pollution?
Noise Pollution is the excessive and irritating Noise that has various effects on human health and animals. The major causes of Noise Pollution are loud Noise producing factories, honking cars in traffic, loud music at weddings and DJ Parties, sonic booms of airplanes and fighter jets, Noise made by loud cranking machines in industries, usage of heavy machinery in construction sites. The local household sources of Noise Pollution are the barking of dogs, banging of utensils, children playing in the parks, shouting during a quarrel, bursting of crackers, etc.
5. What is the range of Noise Pollution?
The scale for the measurement of the sound is the decibel(dB). The human ear can hear in the range of 0dB to 120dB. However, in the higher part of this range, the sound becomes too irritating, in residential areas, during the day the sound level of 55dB is considered optimum and at the night the level of 45dB is optimum. Anything beyond this level is considered Noise Pollution, in industrial areas, during the daytime 75dB is considered optimum and at night 70dB is considered normal. Any sound level beyond this is considered Noise Pollution.
Noise Pollution is one of the many types of environmental Pollution. A sound level beyond the bearable range is considered Noise Pollution, like air Pollution, water Pollution, etc Noise Pollution also has very harmful effects on human health and animals. The sound is sensed in humans and animals by the eardrum present in the ears, it is also called the tympanic membrane.
The ability of hearing is developed in humans when the eardrum which is present in the ears of humans and animals vibrates due to the pressure variations in the air which are caused due to the sound. When the sound level is bearable the frequency of pressure variations in the air is low and thus are easily bearable to the eardrum of both humans and animals. However, when the level of the sound is high, the frequency of the pressure variations in the air is very high and this vibrates the eardrum with a high frequency also causing irritation and possible damage to it. The eardrum is very sensitive towards Noise and can be harmed very severely by high levels of Noise Pollution as it vibrates according to the frequency of the sound. If the level of Noise is beyond its tolerable level, it can be ruptured and can thus cause permanent hearing loss in humans and animals.
Different levels of Noise Pollution can have several types of effects on human health and animals, a Noise level of less than 65dB is bearable to human and animal ears, as the level of Noise goes on increasing it gets more irritating and annoying at 80db Noise level. At the level of 88 dB, Noise Pollution can affect the hearing ability of humans as well as animals and can cause hearing disorders in humans and animals both if they have prolonged exposure to it. At the level of 110 dB Noise Pollution, there is a severe discomfort in the human and animal ears and this may cause Noise-Induced Hearing Loss due to the rupture of the sensitive eardrums.
The harmful effects of Noise Pollution on human health and animals also include the various mental and psychological imbalances which can prove to be very harmful and may lead to serious disorders. These may include loss of sleep, inability to focus or concentrate on studies, disturbances in cardiac rhythms due to extreme levels of Noise Pollution.
To avoid the severe and highly harmful effects of Noise Pollution on human health and animals steps must be taken to avoid Noise Pollution as well as to prevent exposure to Noise Pollution. There are several methods that can be incorporated to avoid exposure to Noise Pollution some of these may be as.
Public Awareness Programs: These programs can be organized by different government or non-government organizations in order to create awareness among the general public about the harmful effects of Noise Pollution on human health and animals
Separation of Industrial and Residential Areas: Since the industries use heavy machinery which causes a lot of Noise, and hence is one the major cause of Noise Pollution, the industries should not be allowed to set up in the residential areas. This will protect the common people from industrial Noise.
Regulatory Checks on Vehicles: There are several vehicles that use very loud horns, play loud music, and have enhanced silencers to create more Noise. This must be regularly checked by the government authorities to avoid Noise Pollution from these elements.
Ban on Crackers: There are many people who suffer from heart-related issues and thus can be more vulnerable to the effects of Noise Pollution on human health. In this regard, there must be a ban on the bursting of crackers which create loud Noise so as to avoid any severe consequences of the same.
