We explain what noise pollution is and its consequences. Also, its general characteristics and possible solutions.
What is noise pollution?
It is called noise or noise pollution. to the excessive presence of noise that causes discomfort to people and animals. In some cases, prolonged exposure to noise pollution can cause health problems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels is considered noise pollution and may have health risks.
Excessive environmental noise is a growing concern in the most populated cities, and is considered another form of urban pollution. Currently it is estimated that More than 800 million people live exposed to high levels of noise pollution every day.
Causes of noise pollution
Certain noise levels are inevitable in urban environments, since they are the product of industrial activities, means of transportation or the joint life of millions of people.
Noise pollution is considered when noise levels exceed 80 decibels, and the maximum time that a person can be exposed to that level of pollution without suffering alterations in their physical and mental health is established at 8 hours.
The main sources of noise pollution are:
- Most industrial activities.
- The airports.
- The transportation routes where many cars and motorcycles travel.
- Musical concerts.
- The presence of many people in a closed environment.
Consequences of noise pollution
Some consequences of continuous exposure to noise pollution are:
- Socioacusis. Mild damage to the human and animal hearing system. It usually disappears over time, but if it occurs repeatedly it causes loss of hearing ability.
- Communicative interference. With higher levels of noise pollution, communication becomes more difficult and can cause voice injuries, since it is necessary to speak at a higher volume. In addition, the brain is overloaded by the amount of auditory information it receives and can cause headaches.
- Physical effects. Exposure to sources of noise pollution for a long time can have physiological consequences, such as progressive hearing loss, muscle tension, increased blood pressure and headaches.
- Psychological effects. Constant noise is very harmful to mental and emotional health, and can cause insomnia, fatigue, stress, depression, anxiety, irritability, isolation and lack of concentration.
High noise levels also disturb animal life. Many species are particularly sensitive to sound, or use acoustic waves for guidance, communication or hunting. All these functions can be interrupted by the presence of polluting noise factors.
Examples of noise pollution
The loudest noises are those that generate the highest levels of noise pollution. Some of them are:
| Sound | Decibels (dB) |
|---|---|
| Emergency vehicle siren | 130dB |
| Pneumatic drill of a construction site | 120dB |
| Takeoff of a commercial airplane | 120dB |
| Speakers | Between 90 and 110 dB |
| Motorcycles | Between 90 and 110 dB |
How can noise pollution be reduced?
The measures that large city governments can take to reduce noise pollution levels are:
- Implement regulations and standards. Establish specific laws and regulations on noise levels permitted in different areas and times of day. These regulations may include decibel limits for industrial, commercial, and construction activities, as well as schedule restrictions for noisy activities.
- Plan urban land uses. Intervene in urban expansion planning to separate residential areas from sources of intense noise, such as main roads or industrial areas.
- Improve public transportation. Promote the use of public transportation and policies that encourage sustainable transportation. This can reduce the number of vehicles on the streets and noise levels caused by traffic.
- Regulate maintenance and control of vehicles. Implement measures to control and reduce noise produced by vehicles. In addition, maintenance and control legislations can be established to ensure that vehicles have noise levels below the standards permitted by the WHO.
- Monitor the construction industry. Regulate and supervise construction activities by establishing specific work schedules and implementing noise mitigation measures such as the use of noise barriers.
How is environmental noise measured?
Environmental noise is measured using an instrument called a “sound meter,” a device designed to measure sound pressure levels in the environment. The unit of measurement is the decibel (dB), which is used to quantify the intensity of sound.
The human ear does not perceive all sound levels linearly: it is more sensitive to changes at lower sound levels and less sensitive to changes at higher sound levels. Every 10 dB increase on the logarithmic scale represents an approximately 10-fold increase in sound intensity.. This means that a 70 dB sound is approximately 10 times louder than a 60 dB sound.
The noisiest cities in the world
According to research by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Healthsome of the noisiest cities in the world are:
- Mumbai, India
- Kolkata, India
- Cairo, Egypt
- Tokyo, Japan
- Mexico City, Mexico
- New York, United States
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Beijing, China
References
- Alonso Rebolledo, R. (2017). The noisiest cities in the world. https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/
- Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Nation (2006). Draft Law on Minimum Environmental Budgets for the prevention, control and correction of noise pollution. https://www.diputados.gov.ar/
- Sánchez, J. (2018). Noise pollution: examples, causes and consequences. https://www.ecologiaverde.com/
