What is Noise pollution?

Noise pollution (or environmental noise) is displeasing human, animal or machine-created sound that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.

Measurement of noise pollution

A decibel is the standard for the measurement of noise. The zero on a decibel scale is at the threshold of hearing, the lowest sound pressure that can be heard, on the scale acc. 80 db is the level at which sound becomes physically painful.

Noise Pollution Sources

Noise polly pollution like other pollutants is also a by- product of industrialization , urbanizations and modern civilization.

In broad, Noise pollution has two sources:

Industrial

Though not a prime reason, industrial noise adds to the noise pollution. Machinery, motors and compressors used in the industries create a lot of noise which adds to the already detrimental state of noise pollution. neighbors of noisy manufacturing plants can be disturbed by sources such as fans, motors, and compressors mounted on the outside of buildings Interior noise can also be transmitted to the community through open windows and doors, and even through building walls. These interior noise sources have significant impacts on industrial workers, among whom noise- induced hearing loss is unfortunately common.

NonIndustrial

Road Traffic Noise: -

Traffic noise is the main source of noise pollution caused in urban areas. With the ever-increasing number of vehicles on road, the sound caused by the cars and exhaust system of autos, trucks, buses and motorcycles is the chief reason for noise pollution.

Air Crafts: -

With the low flying military aircrafts soaring over the national parks, wasteland and other vacant areas, the level of noise pollution has drastically increased in these previously unaffected zones.

Construction Noise: -

The noise from the construction of highways, city streets, and buildings is a major contributor to the urban scene. Construction noise sources include pneumatic hammers, air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks (and their back-up signals, and pavement breakers.

Railways: -

People living beside railway stations put up with a lot of noise from locomotive engines, horns and whistles and switching and shunting operation in rail yards. This is one of the major sources of noise pollution.

Household sources: -

Apartment dwellers are often annoyed by noise in their homes, especially when the building is not well designed and constructed. In this case, internal building noise from plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners, and fans, can be audible and annoying. Improperly insulated walls and ceilings can reveal the soundof-amplified music, voices, footfalls and noisy activities from neighboring units. vacuum cleaners and some kitchen appliances have been and continue to be noisemakers, although their contribution to the daily noise dose is usually not very large.

Harmful Effects

On Human and animals: -

Noise pollution decreases the working efficiency. It causes lack of concentration, fatigue and blood pressure. Noise pollution is responsible for stress levels, anxiety, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and even panic attacks. Moreover, noise pollution can reduce peoples sensitivity to sounds, speeding up the premature aging of the auditive system. Loud noise causes temporary or permanent deafness. Noise pollution damages the nervous system of animal. Animal looses the control of its mind. They become dangerous. It has been proved that noise pollution increases the mortality rate among animal species and it affects the balance in the natural occurring phenomena that rule the animal and plant world. Thus, animals find themselves disturbed in terms of communicating with each other for mating purposes, and moreover, they develop real navigation problems due to the unnatural sound level. The &ldquovoice&rdquo of the animals should therefore be loud enough to cover the man-made sounds ultimately this would change the entire balance in the ecosystem.

On vegetation: -

Noise pollution indirectly affects the vegetation. Plants require cool & peaceful environment to grow. Noise pollution causes poor quality of crops.

Effect on property: -

Loud noise is very dangerous to buildings, bridges and monuments. It creates waves which struck the walls and put the building in danger condition. It weakens the edifice of buildings.

Mitigation of noise pollution: -

By adopting the right strategies the reduction of noise pollution is possible. Among the most frequently used means to mitigate traffic n oise we should mention speed limitations, tire design, noise barriers and many others. Quieter plane engines and the building of the airports far from residential areas are also worth mentioning here. Special building insulation programs already address the need for quieter homes, and the projects are successfully applied in thousands of households all over the world. There are nevertheless limitations to the measures governments can take concerning noise pollution, but they do count in the overall picture of environment conditions.

What Can You Do?

• Traffic:Don't live or work near major intersections or roads, shopping centers and sporting facilities. Valleys and falls are noisier than flat roads.
• Barking dogs: As a dog owner, you should take care to see that your dog doesn&rsquot annoy the neighbors with its barking and yowling.
• Neighbors: Be a good neighbor by not annoying those who live next door with your music or lawn mowing.

Solving noise problems: Many noise problems can be prevented by considering others and talking through problems. Be a good and concerned neighbor by discussing a common problem calmly and in a collaborative spirit to find a common solution.