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The waves, caused by vibration of the molecules, follow sine functions, typified by the amplitude and wavelength (or frequency) Sound waves of equal amplitude with increasing frequency from top to bottom Reflecting on noise “Noise” derived from “nausea,” meaning seasickness Noise is among the most pervasive pollutants today Noise is unavoidable for many machines We experience noise in a number of ways environmental cause and victim enervated by others “second-hand” Noise negatively affects human health and well-being The air into which second-hand noise is emitted and on which it travels is a “commons”, a public good Pollution Definition: The introduction into the environment, by people, of substances or energy liable to cause harm to living creatures or ecological systems. How did pollution begin? More sophisticated lifestyles. Growing needs of people. Accelerated rates Of human Activities. 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” Level of tolerance Normal level of tolerance is dab. Sound level below and above this is considered to be as noise pollution. Effects of noise pollution There are about 25000 hair cells in our ear which create wave in our ear, responding to different levels Of frequencies. With increasing levels Of sound the cells get destroyed decreasing our ability to hear the high frequency sound. Sound and human hearing – Frequency Humans are less sensitive to low frequency sound and more sensitive to high frequency sound.
Therefore, sometimes the db scale is adjusted to take this into account: A-weighting (db(A)): adjusts overall scale so it better matches what the human ear would hear C-weighting (db(C)): adjusts scale for loud or owe frequency sounds B-weighting (db(B)): adjusts by factors that are “in between” the A-weighted factors and C-weighted factors (rarely used) Health Effects According to the SEEPS, 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 Solutions for Noise Pollution Similar to automobiles, lubrication of the machinery and servicing should be one 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. Be cautious from today Irreversible hearing loss. Blood pressure rise of 5 to 10 meg on 8 hrs of exposure to even 70 db of sound level. Hearing loss begins at 80- 90 dab. 140 dab is painful and 180 dab can even kill a person. Amplified rock music is 120 dab. Most of the electronic vehicles and motors are above 80 dab level.
High noise levels may interfere with the natural cycles of animals, including feeding behavior, breeding rituals and migration paths. Symptoms of occupational hearing loss Feeling Fullness in the ear. Sounds may seem muffled. Cannot hear high frequency sounds. Ringing in the ears while listening to the high frequency sounds. Loud noise or a long period of time, or sudden burst of sound can cause occupational hearing loss. Hearing that does not return after an acute noise injury is called a permanent threshold shift. Actions taken and to be taken There are a variety of effective strategies for mitigating adverse sound levels.