What is Noise Pollution?

   The noise pollution is defined as the unwanted sound which is released into the environment. It disturbs the human being and cause an adverse effect on the mental and psychological well being. It is measured in the units of decibels and is denoted by the dB. The noise which is more than 115 dB is tolerant. The industrial limit of sound in the industries must be 75 dB according to the world health organization. A type writer can produce a sound at 60 dB. There are different sources of the noise pollution and include the agriculture machines, industries which produce a sound and the use of entertaining equipment, crackers, the blasting of dynamite, bull dozing, stone crushing, defense equipments and textile mills

Measurement of Noise

       Noise intensity is measured in decibel (dB), which is tenth part of the longest unit Bel, named after Alexander Graham Bell. Decibel is a ratio expressed as the logarithmic scale relative to a reference sound pressure level. The dB is thus expressed as :

                                                          Intensity Measured (I) 

( dB )  Sound Intensity Level = 10 log    ------------------------------
                                                             Reference Intensity (I₀)

                         Common Cause of Noise Pollution

                                                                    

1. Public/Private Transportation Vehicle – these are one of the daily causes of noise pollution in our streets, public hi-way, etc. Why? Because in every kind of vehicle it creates disturbing sounds by starting the engines, blowing of horns, playing music from car amplifier, etc. As a result the city has now become exposed from these types of unavoidable and   uncontrollable noise.

2. Industrial Machinery – there are so many various examples of industrial machinery that creates severe disturbing and hazardous sounds to the industrial workers. The multiple kinds of industrial machinery are huge generators, large compressors, cranes, furnaces, exhaust fans and many more. It is through these objects that adds distractions and complications in our ambience.

3. Construction Sites – we all know that every construction area uses huge equipments as part of their job like pay loader, crane, cement mixer, bulldozer, etc. These construction items are expected to perform vibrations and loud noise that can affect illnesses to all construction workers.

4. Loud Speaker – using loud speaker in public or private areas like residential, commercial establishment, public market, concert arena, etc., can definitely and instantly contributes disturbing sounds in our community or environment. The sounds from the loud speakers can immediately spread in our atmosphere and undoubtedly becomes one of the causes of noise pollution.

5. Big Events – we all love celebrating big events such as birthdays, anniversaries, house parties, festivals. But, do you realize how much noise you and your special visitors can create unpleasant and very disturbing sounds in your external surroundings or neighborhood? While you and your friends are enjoying your special occasion, your angry neighborhoods are having difficulties in their sleeping hours.

  

                            Effects of Noise Pollution

 (The graph shows what are the effects of Noise pollution)

a] Auditory Effects 

       The most acute and immediate effect of noise pollution is impairing of hearing which may cause auditory fatigue and may even finally lead to deafness.

• Auditory fatigue occurs when exposed to noise levels of 90 dB or above. In metro cities, most of the shopkeepers, cobblers, fruit sellers complain tinnitus in ear.
• Deafness occurs when exposed to loud noise. The workers working in the noisy workplace environment may suffer from Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Hearing loss may be temporary or permanent. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels leads to permanent deafness.

  b] Non-auditory Effects 

       Non-auditory effects are also alarming, because of the fact that they also cause severe diseases. It includes interference with speech communication, annoyance leading to ill-temper, mental disturbance and violent behavior. It also causes loss of working efficiency due to physiological disorder. Physiological disorders associated with noise include increase heart rate, increase in blood pressure, and change in skin temperature and blood circulation, Cardio-vascular diseases, and change in levels of hormones. In females, the chances of miscarriage and congenital birth defects are more in noisy environment.

  c] Other Effects of Noise 

• Birds that rely on hearing to locate prey are seriously disadvantaged by anthropogenic noise.
• Birds in a city need to call longer and louder than their country counterparts.
• Noise disturbs feeding and breeding patterns of some animals and has been identified as a contributing factor of the extinction of some species. 
• Aircraft noise and sonic booms have been implicated as a cause of lowered reproduction in a variety of animals.
• Military sonar has been responsible for the deaths of possibly thousands of dolphins and whales.
• In dairy cows, excessive noise reduces feed consumption, milk yield, and rate of milk release.
• Intense noise can affect growth of chickens and egg production. Noise has also been showing to have a detrimental effect on the growth of some plant too
  
          

           Noise Pollution Prevention & Control Tips

    

    Below are a few things people and governments can do to make our     communities and living laces quieter:

·  Construction of soundproof rooms for noisy machines in industrial and manufacturing installations must be encouraged. This is also important for residential building - noisy machines should be installed far from sleeping and living rooms, like in a basement or garage.

·    Use of horns with jarring sounds, motorbikes with damaged exhaust pipes,    noisy trucks to be banned

·      Noise producing industries, airports, bus and transport terminals and railway stations to sighted far from where living places.

·      Community law enforcers should check the misuse of loudspeakers, worshipers, outdoor parties and discos, as well as public announcements systems.

·   Community laws must silence zones near schools / colleges, hospitals etc. Community law enforcers should check the misuse of loudspeakers, worshipers, outdoor parties and discos, as well as public announcements systems.

·       Vegetation (trees) along roads and in residential areas is a good way to reduce noise pollution as they absorb sound.

         Just watch & Learn more about Noise Pollution

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