Noise Pollution

Health Impacts

Noise pollution isn't just annoying, it can have real impacts on our mental and physical health. The EPA has called EPA noise pollution “a growing danger to the health and welfare of the Nation’s population.” Exposure to loud and noisy environments long-term can worsen or lead to: 

• Hearing issues such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound

• Cardiovascular disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Sleep disturbances

• Stress

• Mental health and cognition problems, including memory impairment and attention deficits

• Childhood learning delays and low birth weight.

Noise pollution also has connections to climate change. Many industry actors contributing to negative climate impacts generate excessive noise. Urban development and deforestation get rid of natural carbon sinks while also removing natural sound buffers.

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