Noise pollution is annoying noise that is caused by human activity. It sounds louder than the natural background and prevents people and animals from leading their usual way of life.
Sounds of nature are not considered noise pollution: the body easily adapts to them. And what is more, they improve human physical and mental health.
Sources of noise pollution in the city
Sources of noise pollution are growing and becoming more aggressive every year due to the increase in automobile manufacturing, growth of industrial plants, etc. To date, these include:
- urban road transportation;
- rail transportation (including surface subway lines);
- air transportation;
- industrial enterprises;
- construction;
- repair works;
- signaling and other noises of “household” origin;
- misalignment of urban high-rise buildings;
- air intake shafts;
- heat and power generation facilities.
Large highways create noise of 90-95 dB. Loudness of passenger cars – up to 88 dB The most noisy of all types of motor transport – trucks: up to 95 dB. The sound of a moving train is 82-93 dB. Industrial enterprises are noisy between 85-105 dB. Noise coming from an airport can reach a maximum of 92-108 dB.
Impact of noise on humans
- Cardiovascular disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), high levels of noise can cause premature death due to cardiovascular disease. Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 50 dBA (e.g. moderate traffic) at night can contribute to the development of hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart failure.
- Sleep problems. Noise can significantly interfere with the quality of sleep. Particularly dangerous are sudden, intermittent noises during the night, such as the loud sound of a passing truck, which can frighten, especially children and the elderly. Noise interferes with normal sleep, affects the depth of sleep, causes insomnia and shallow sleep. As a result, a person wakes up tired and not rested, which leads to chronic fatigue.
- Cognitive problems in children. According to WHO, noise pollution can impair children’s hearing abilities and negatively affect their cognitive functions. It can slow their development, impair memory and reduce concentration.
- Hearing loss. When exposed to loud noise, hearing adapts and a person temporarily loses the ability to hear soft sounds. However, prolonged exposure to noisy places such as nightclubs, concerts or sporting events can lead to sensorineural hearing loss or complete hearing loss. Constant exposure to noise can also cause tinnitus, dizziness and headaches.
- Disorders of the central nervous system. Prolonged exposure of the human hearing system to noise overstresses nerve cells, which lose the ability to clearly coordinate the work of all systems of the human body. As a consequence, irritability, nervousness, panic, anxiety, and depression may develop.
Noise pollution and its impact on work productivity
In addition to its effects on health and the environment, noise pollution also has an impact on workplace productivity. Studies have shown that noisy office environments can significantly reduce employees’ ability to concentrate, leading to lower performance and increased stress levels. In industries that require high levels of concentration, such as research, technology, and education, excessive noise can decrease output and creativity.
Employees in noisy environments may also experience more fatigue and higher levels of stress, leading to absenteeism and lower overall morale. It has been found that workers who are exposed to high levels of noise are more likely to report symptoms of burnout, which can impact both their professional and personal lives.
How to get rid of noise pollution at home
- Modernize the windows. Pay attention to the thickness of the panes, their number and the distance between them.
- Reorganize the apartment. Put a closet or chest of drawers against the wall, place the bed as far away from the wall as possible, so you minimize noise from neighboring apartments.
- Lay a rug. You can put a fluffy beautiful carpet on the floor, it will also perfectly “eat” unnecessary dBA, which penetrate into your apartment from the neighbors below.
- Use earplugs. Proper earplugs can “remove” up to 35 dBA of noise. Pay attention to the material from which they are made, it should be quality silicone, wax or polyurethane.
- Take regular vacations in nature. Nature is the best source of peace and quiet. Walks in parks, forests or near bodies of water help to relieve stress, improve psycho-emotional state and recover from long exposure to noise in the city.
- Do anti-noise repairs. This advice will suit those who have recently bought an apartment and are only going to make repairs in it. First of all, pay attention to the materials you plan to use. The ceiling can be lined with a sound-absorbing coating, the walls should be qualitatively covered with putty or special soundproof plaster.
- Ventilate with closed windows. Install a compact supply ventilation in the apartment, for example – breezer. It will help to get rid of unwanted sounds from the street: it works with closed windows and produces up to 160 m3/h of fresh and clean air. The breezer has a reduced noise level of 19 dBA, which ensures comfortable and quiet ventilation.
- Use white noise to improve sleep. White noise helps mask other annoying sounds, creating a background sound that helps you relax and improve sleep quality. Use special white noise devices or apps if you live in a noisy neighborhood.
- Avoid noisy neighborhoods. If possible, avoid living or working in areas with high concentrations of noise, such as proximity to high-traffic roads, railroad tracks, or airports. If you have to go to these places frequently, take extra protective measures, such as using headphones or earplugs.
- Attention to mental health. Constant noise can cause anxiety and stress, which can lead to nervous disorders. If you feel that noise is affecting your mental state, it is important to seek help from a professional to learn how to effectively manage stress and learn how to cope with its effects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, noise pollution is a serious threat to human health that affects physical and mental well-being, quality of life and the environment in general. Elevated noise levels can cause cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, cognitive problems in children, and hearing and nervous system disorders. To minimize the harm caused by noise, it is important to take steps to protect your home, such as installing quality windows, using earplugs, and making noise control repairs. Ultimately, by taking care of our health and paying attention to the source of noise, we can create a more comfortable and safer living environment that contributes to overall well-being.
