Noise Pollution

Understanding Noise Levels

What is Noise Pollution

"Noise pollution is defined as unwanted sounds that disrupt normal sound in the environment. Noise pollution often emanates from railroads, road traffic, aircraft, loud music, construction sites, and industrial activities. Nevertheless, the definition of noise is subjective as it varies from one individual to another. In the majority of cases, individual response to noise is influenced by loudness, time pattern, and frequency.

Other factors include the nature of the activity that produces the noise and the level of background sound before the introduction of another louder sound frequency. Noise is the only form of pollution that is ever-present but rarely noticed despite its adverse effects. It can lead to loss of memory, deafness or in some cases psychiatric disorders. Sensitivity to different sound frequencies is measured using the A-weighted decibel scale (dBA)." - https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/sources-prevention-noise-pollution.php 

Sound Level Decibel (dB) Key

0-65 dB - Healthy

66-85 dB - Somewhat Loud

86-139 dB - Damaging to Hearing
Avoid long exposure without protection.

140+ dB Harmful to Hearing
Wear protection or avoid all together.

Consequences of Noise Pollution

"Described as “an underestimated threat” by the World Health Organization (WHO), noise pollution is “a leading environmental nuisance”. And with good reason: because we subconsciously interpret abrupt noises as signs of danger, they “trigger involuntary fight-or-flight responses” and “strain [the] autonomic nervous and endocrine systems”.

As a result, noise pollution can impair sleep, work and school performance, and hearing itself. Longer-term impacts include:

European research shows that noise pollution can even lead to premature deaths. Such high stakes show why opportunities to find peace—away from the likes of traffic noise, errant burglar alarms, and pneumatic drills—are so important.

Nature sounds (also known as ‘green noise’) can improve well-being by “physically alter[ing] our brains’ connections” and boosting the “parasympathetic response […] that helps the body relax”. But if escaping the city in search of birdsong, the hum of bees, and rustling leaves isn’t an option, why not explore some of the most calming spaces that are within reach?" - The Quietest Places in the World’s Loudest Cities

Top Sources of Noise Pollution

The major sources of noise pollution vary from region to region, from culture to culture, and based on other geographical or industrial features.

International

Some major sources globally include:

Click the Marine Noise Pollution button to learn about the common causes of underwater noise pollution.

Africa

Nigeria

"Mohammed, a geography lecturer at Bayero University in Kano, tells TRT Afrika that many residences in the city fall under ‘"black acoustic zones", or areas with noise levels above limits based on WHO guidelines.

According to him, noise pollution could be partly responsible for the prevalence of multiple health conditions, including depression and heart illnesses.

His research revealed that the source of outdoor noise pollution is largely from transport, industrial machineries and construction sites. Commercial activities and population density are the other triggers, both of which he blames on lack of proper town planning and inadequate law enforcement.

Mohammed used sound level meters to record weeklong noise levels from December 2017 to February 2018 at 40 locations in the city. He also recorded traffic noise from 15 road corridors during three specific traffic peak periods – 8-10am, 12-2pm and 4-6pm.

Car honking is among the most disturbing forms of noise in Nigerian cities, Mohammed says of his findings.

Although schools were among the least polluted by external noise in Kano, the study discovered they were seriously impacted, too, and that consistent noise could disturb the learning and cognitive abilities of students.

The geography lecturer suggests that the Nigerian authorities "regulate school sites or create special districts for public and private schools" to address the impact of noise on learning institutions.

Ridwan Imam Salis, a Kano resident, tells TRT Afrika that he experiences "changes in my hearing ability" and sometimes gets a headache from the noisy surroundings in the Fagge neighbourhood, where he works."

Asia

India

According to 5 Major Sources of Noise Pollution the top five sources of noise pollution around India starting with the worst are:

Europe

"Noise pollution remains a major environmental health problem in Europe, with the transport sector being a major cause.  Road traffic noise is the dominant source affecting human exposure above the EU’s threshold of 55 decibels (dB) for daily exposure and 50 dB for night exposure. Around 100 million people are exposed to road traffic noise above 55 dB in the 33 member countries of the EEA (Figure 1). Of these, 32 million are exposed to very high noise levels (above 65 dB). Railways is the second largest source, with 19 million people exposed above 55 dB. Aircraft noise, close to major airports, is the third main source, with more than 4.1 million people exposed, followed by industrial noise within urban areas, with 1.0 million people exposed.

Noise from road traffic alone is the second most harmful environmental stressor in Europe, behind air pollution, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The harmful effects of noise arise mainly from the stress reaction it causes in the human body, which can also occur during sleep. These can potentially lead to premature death, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, hypertension and, at the least, annoyance." - https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/road-traffic-remains-biggest-source 

Solutions to Reduce Noise Pollution

The following topics are sorted alphabetically.

Bubble Curtains

Construction

Building new buildings, roads, and other structures can create an incredible amount of noise pollution. This is generally because of the machines needed for working with cement, metal, cutting or drilling wood, cutting tiles, etc. Using more eco-friendly materials such as cob, wattle and daub, roofs made from leaves or dried grass can all help to eliminate sound pollution from building.

Fireworks

Click the Fireworks button to learn more about fireworks and quieter, more eco-friendly alternatives.

Landscaping 

Click the Landscaping Pollution button to learn some easy and cost effective ways to reduce noise pollution associated with landscaping and garden maintenance.

Transportation

Transportation produces a growing amount of noise pollution. Shipping lanes, air ports, train junctions, private vehicles, and highways all contribute to the growing din. This section explores some ways to solve the problem.

Traffic

Noise pollution from traffic is bad for the mental and physical health of humans, birds, insects, and probably other species too. Kids in schools with high levels of traffic pollution scored lower on tests than kids in schools without noise pollution.

Click the Transit button to learn more about eco-friendly transportation options. Generally the active modes of transport are a lot quieter than passive transport. Though passenger trains, electric buses, and electric or hybrid cars in electric mode are generally much quieter than their counter parts.

Air Travel

Planes and helicopters produce a huge amount of air and noise pollution, but modern air ships may soon provide a quieter and more eco-friendly alternative to air travel.

Ships & Boats

Propellers produce extreme underwater noise pollution which can effect organisms like plankton and rare glass sponges at the bottom of the food chain, all the way up to dolphins and whale. In addition propellers are extremely dangerous in wildlife collisions, leaving deep gashes on the bodies of whales and manatees.

Speed changes, changes to propellers, and switching to sail power can all help reduce noise while reducing other risks to wildlife.

Marine Noise Pollution

Noise travels especially well under water, though our own ears aren't adapted to hear it. Now that we've invented technology that can investigate underwater noises, scientists have found that reefs are lively with the sounds of fish and other animals. In fact experiments on mussels has uncovered that baby mussels (or spat) prefer the snapping sound of shrimp, and will specifically settle in areas where recordings of their noises are being played, while there is less success in experiments without this relatively quiet sound.

Noise pollution under water can negatively impact feeding, mating, and other behaviors. The louder noises can disorient or even physically harm tiny organisms from plankton and glass coral, right up to much larger creatures including manatees, dolphins, and whales.


 

Organisms Affected by Noise Pollution

Aquatic Organisms

13:45 minute video dives into how loud our oceans are getting, and why. Then we learn about different solutions already being used to help turn the noise back down.

Click the Marine Noise Pollution button to learn about the many marine species impacted by noise pollution.

Insects

Birds

Maps

International

Africa

Kenya

Oceana

Australia