Noise is any unwanted sound around us. This is subjective because something pleasant to one might be unpleasant to others. The environment has lots of noise sources, such as wind, oceans, volcanoes, and animals. These are familiar sounds that could be intrusive at some levels.
Man-made sounds from vehicles, trains, planes, machines, firecrackers, explosives and a lot more are more annoying. This type of noise could affect communication, hearing, sleep, as well as physical and mental health.
Noise Pollution by Civil Engineering
Noise pollution is an environmental problem that is a cause of concern for everyone. Studies show that distractive noise can cause low productivity and even mental disorders. People should make it a conscious effort to limit the amount of noise in our daily lives.
Noise comes from the Latin word noxia, which means harm that can affect man, plants and animals. At present it is a pollutant that destroys the balance of the environment. Excess amount of it can lead to more serious problems as it can affect the health and well-being of a person. It can also damage structures.
Noise pollution is a by-product of a bigger environmental problem. Major sources of noise are construction sites, airports, factories and highways, which not only produce noise but also have high levels of carbon emissions.
Noise is a by-product of an industrialization of a region. But even in non-industrial areas, noise could come from auto-repairs, printing, grinding and other everyday task that can affect the immediate surroundings.
Studies showed that noise can constrict the arteries, increases the level of adrenaline in one’s
Noise Pollution by Marcsalla
body and forces the heart to beat faster. Continuous noise could increase the cholesterol level that could permanently constrict blood vessels. This could lead to strokes and heart attacks in the future. Excessive exposure to noise can also cause nervous breakdown and neurosis.
The amount of noise in the air is measured in decibels. Continuous exposure to noise above 90 decibels could lead to irreparable damage to the nervous system as well as hearing loss. The World Health Organization stated that the safe noise level in the city is 45 decibels.
An airplane is a major source of pollutants to the environment. When an airplane passes by, it produces harsh rumbling sounds and it also emits air pollutants from its engine exhausts. Aviation fuel consists mainly of kerosene and during its combustion process, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water and other substances.
Aircraft Noise by Lower blood pressure
It’s not just air transport that’s causing distress to our well-being. Even land vehicles such as trains, farm trucks, and cars can affect a person’s wellness. The invasive sound can lead to hypertension and hearing impairment. When vehicles are in motion, they not only produce noise pollution, they also emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Vehicles in the city are guilty of producing both noise and air pollutants as long as their exhaust systems are running. During heavy traffic, cars, small trucks, motorcycles and buses emit carbon dioxide due to the combustion of fuel.
People living near railroad stations are prone to the noise from train engines, which include the whistles and horns from the train. Rail car retarders emit screeching sounds that can be as loud as 120 decibels and can be heard as far as 100 feet. Railroad workers had to bear sounds up to 140 decibels.
The Environmental Protection Agency wants to decrease diesel powered trains carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90 percent and their nitrogen emissions by 80 percent. Nitrogen is also one of the known gases that contribute to acid rain and ozone layer depletion.
In agricultural areas, lawn mowers, tractors, and leaf blowers are major causes of hearing impairments among farmers. These farm equipment reach up to 85 decibels and prolong use
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can lead to hearing loss. Farm operations not only bring noise pollution, it also contributes to water pollution when fertilizers and animal manure flow into gulfs and rivers.
The United States Geological Survey published a report that stated that some parts of the Gulf of Mexico have excessive algae growth that lowers the levels of dissolved oxygen. Low oxygen level can kill the marine life in the area.
Boat noises can cause confusion to cetaceans such as dolphins, whales, and porpoises. These sea mammals use sound to navigate through the ocean. When exposed to intense sonar activity, compressed nitrogen in the animals’ tissues experience decompression that can lead to fatal results. Boats and offshore structures could cause disruption of marine life.
When you’re near a construction site, you’ll experience a lot of noise coming from the various equipment and machines used in the building the structure. These include pneumatic hammers, air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, and pavement breakers.
To decrease daily noise pollution, you could soundproof your house, use white noise machines, or move out of the city. Keep in mind that every motor you hear running, it causes more damage to the environment. So to keep the environment safe and your mental health in one piece, avoid exposure to continuous loud noises.
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