Introduction
Noise Pollution is noted as unwanted or disruptive noise that potentially harms humans as well as other organisms. Noise past 65 dB is considered as polluted noise, becoming potentially harmful at 75dB and excruciatingly painful at 120dB, which has actually been confirmed by the World Health Organization. Noise pollution is rarely discussed and often ignored as a major crisis, however has been shown to be rather harmful, especially to individuals who are regularly exposed to such pollution.
The causes for noise pollution or its harmful impact certainly can vary. A few examples are things such as industrialization, construction, nightlife, traffic, poor urban planning, animals, loud households and transport. These causes definitely are dependent on the location and surroundings. For example, in big cities such as London, the majority of noise pollution comes from man made noise. This would include sounds from nightlife, social events, traffic, transport and most likely construction. Whereas in more rural areas like Cumbria, noise pollution roots from more natural and environmental noise, like animals, households and potentially other vehicles not commonly used in cities. This also proves that there is potentially less noise pollution outside of big and busy cities.
The dangers and impacts of noise pollution are still very much relevant to us today as they were in the 1970s, when noise pollution was emerging as an environmental problem. For the human race, there are several health concerns related to noise pollution. Hearing problems are an obvious example, especially for the everyday commuter. 17% of adults have suffered from permanent damage to their hearing due to big exposure to noise pollution. It is also noted that noise pollution can cause both physical and psychological damage. Cardiovascular issues can occur due to noise pollution, heart attack rates are 72% higher in noise polluted areas, specifically linked to noise pollution from transportation. Intense amounts of noise pollution can also induce stress and anxiety, leaving many unsettled and irritated when getting home.
The impact of such pollution not only harms us as humans but also a number of other organisms. Noise pollution has become a great disturbance for wildlife as they experience chronic stress, fertility problems and change their migration routes in response to noise. Many marine animals are sensitive to noise and are often negatively impacted by the loud engines of sea travel and transport. As sound travels through water, it can also cover large areas which only harm marine animal communication.
In one case study, there has been action in proposing a solution to noise pollution particularly in hospitals, in order to reduce stress and anxiety in such an environment. For more info click here.
In the review it states ‘A proposal for a solution to reduce stress and anxiety in the hospital setting by combining the problems of excess noise in a hospital setting with the efficacy of music therapy is supported through an analysis of research in the field of noise, hospital noise pollution, and music medicine.’ This could also work in many other environments that need it. The use of music could possibly relieve at least some of the psychological damage.
There are also several smaller things councils and governments could do to prevent bigger impacts of noise pollution. Positioning noise or noisy objects away from everyday people and using barriers to block particular sounds. This was also stated in a study looking into potential solutions to noise pollution ‘Noise barriers are the most common solution chosen to mitigate road traffic noise. Given their diffusion on the territory, every improvement to this technology would have a major effect in terms of exposure reduction or cost production and environmental impacts.’ As for individuals, wearing ear plugs and avoiding intense noise has proven to reduce noise pollution greatly.
Due to the impacts and potential dangers of sound pollution, our group felt it was necessary to base our project on such a crisis. As a group, we wanted to further investigate the issue and gain an understanding through our own real life date. Concentrating on sound pollution as a problem in our own reality enabled us to further understand the mass of this problem. Through recording our journeys and displaying our sound data through we want to emphasise the size of this issue and that it can affect any individual.