OFF THE WIRE
http://greenanswers.com/blog/239733/getting-loud-about-noise-pollution
Getting Loud About Noise Pollution
By Brock Rainier
As the human population of Earth rapidly increases, the opportunities for humans to be loud increase greatly. With increasing population densities, the chances of being affected by noise pollution are greater than ever. More people means more vehicles, more airplanes, more sirens, more leaf blowers, more construction, more stereo systems, and a host of other noise-making devices. All of this takes a toll on human comfort and health. Try it for yourself. Open a window or step outside and listen. Do you hear a background noise of vehicles? How long can you go without hearing an airplane or siren? How often does someone drive by playing loud music? Chances are that you heard some or all of these noises in a short period of time. If so, you have experienced noise pollution.
Affect of Noise Pollution on Humans
In the United States alone, 100 million people are routinely exposed to noise pollution in excess of 55 decibels, which is the level that the US Government has stated as being a reasonable amount of background noise. Over 40 percent of Americans who live in homes that are exposed to traffic noise say that it is bothersome and many of those desire to move because of it. This American is sitting here listening to a school bus that has been parked outside for several minutes with it’s engine running, despite the fact that no children are in sight. There is also a woman talking loudly and smoking a cigarette while her dog barks. Needless to say, both the lack of environmental and noise consideration by those around me right now are very bothersome!
Even worse than the annoyances that come with noise pollution are it’s developmental effects. A study in the 1970s showed that children living in the lower portion of a Manhattan apartment building that overlooked a highly-traveled bridge had lower reading scores than those living in the higher portion of the building. Another study conducted on school students found that students who attended a class that was near train tracks were a full year behind students in the same school who attended class in other parts of the building. When noise-reducing materials were added to the class near the train tracks, the performance evened out. Other studies conducted in London and Munich found that students who learned near airports scored lower than those who were further away from airports. In sum, the case that noise pollution inhibits the academic development of children is quite strong.
As may be expected, noise pollution also causes hearing problems. An individual who spends 8 or more hours in an environment that has 85 or more decibels, or the equivalent of the sound of heavy traffic, is subject to hearing loss. In 2001, 12.5 percent of US children between the ages of 6 and 19 suffered from hearing loss in at least 1 ear. With the increasing urbanization of Earth’s population, this is surely to become an even larger problem in the future.
Sleep, physical health, and productivity are other casualties of noise pollution. High levels of noise during sleep can abruptly wake an individual or disturb his or her sleep pattern, which leads to tiredness and irritability the following day. High blood-pressure, indigestion, heartburn, ulcers, and heart disease have all been attributed to noise pollution as well. Noise pollution is also known to contribute to decreased productivity to exposed individuals at work, as hearing and concentration are impaired. Thus, we see that noise pollution has wide-ranging tolls on our daily lives.
What Can You Do to Reduce Noise Pollution?
While it would be impractical to stop using motorized means of transportation and cease all types of noisy activities, there are several things the average person can do to limit noise pollution. The ways to go about doing so are as follows:
Keep mobile phone ringers at the lowest point at which you can hear it. Alternatively, set it so that it vibrates instead of rings. Do not leave dogs outside for extended periods of time if they bark frequently. Do not play music loudly or with high bass in your vehicle. While you make like the music, most others probably do not want to hear it. Plant trees and shrubs around your property. This will help filter the noise that you are exposed to as well as reduce the noise that comes from your property. Do not talk loudly, especially when others are around. While the person you are talking to may not mind it, others, such as coworkers, may be annoyed. Keep your vehicle’s noise to a minimum. Maintain the muffler well and do not make unnecessary alterations that make the vehicle louder. How many times have you heard a car drive by that was altered to sound more like a motorcycle? Did you think that person was cool or were you annoyed? Avoid slamming doors. Only use enough force to close the door, not let everyone in the neighborhood know you’ve closed it! Mow the lawn at reasonable hours. In other words., 7AM on Sunday is not the best time to mow a lawn. With just a few simple alterations to your lifestyle, you can help make your location a quieter and healthier place to live. While you may still hear plenty of noise, you will be doing your part to reduce that noise, even if it is by just a small amount. Imagine if everyone in your area followed the listed tips? Would it be a much better place to live? If you live in an urban or suburban setting, the answer is almost definitely a resounding yes!
