Noise Pollution: Effects, Causes, and Potential Solutions Essay

Introduction, effects of noise pollution, causes of noise pollution, potential solutions, works cited.

Some people may frown upon it, while others might nod their heads with their whole-hearted smile on their faces – no matter which category you belong to, as a person, especially as a person who must live in a neighborhood, the quality of the neighborhood has always been an important issue to be concerned about when you are looking for a place to live. For most people, the quality of the neighborhood is at the center of attention even more than the quality of the living spaces. As much as a good neighborhood can positively affect our mental and physical health and improve the quality of our lives, a bad neighborhood can increase anxiety among neighbors and can decrease their lives’ efficiency. Although there exist lots of problems that need to be solved in every neighborhood, noise pollution, no matter whether this noise is made by your neighbors or the surrounding environment, is with no doubt the most important issue in almost all neighborhoods. First, it is essential to investigate the reasons why noise is an important issue in almost every neighborhood and then explore the main contributing causes of the noise problem.

The first and also foremost reason why noise is an important issue in neighborhoods lies in the inevitable fact that noise pollution can have negative effects on our physical health. Living in a noisy area can affect the quality of people’s sleep, daily activities, and even general physical health factors. According to the International Program on Chemical Safety, “an adverse effect of noise is defined as a change in the morphology and physiology of organism that results in an impairment of functional capacity, or an impairment of capacity to compensate for additional stress or increases the susceptibility of the organism to harmful effects of other environmental influences” (Siano). Environmental noise exposure is responsible for a range of health effects, including increased risk of ischemic heart disease as well as sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment among children, annoyance, stress-related mental health risks, and tinnitus. This noise pollution becomes more important when we look at the noise level in residential neighbors where people spend most of their time.

For instance, “the health risks caused by noise pollution in high income European countries account for a loss of 1-1.6 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) – a standard measure of healthy years of life lost to illness, disability, or early death” (Siano). Also, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “noise pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental threats to health” (IBERDROLA). Moreover, according to the European Environmental Agency (EEA), “noise is responsible for 16,600 premature deaths and more than 72,000 hospitalizations every year in Europe alone” (IBERDROLA). Not only noise pollution can cause health issues for human, but it has a devastating impact on animals as well. According to the National Park Services (NPS) in the United States, “noise pollution has an enormous environmental impact and does serious damages to wildlife” (IBERDROLA). Most of the experts say that noise pollution can interfere with breeding cycles and rearing, and it is even hastening the extinction of some animal species. Therefore, noise pollution can not only affect mental health, but it can also affect our physical health.

Another reason, which is as important as the preceding one, if not more, is that noisy neighborhoods can substantively affect the efficiency of people’s work and their daily life activities. In the present day, the amount of noise in a living neighborhood becomes even more important since most of the people are forced to work from home due to the rules that companies made for their employees during the pandemic. To elucidate, the noisier a neighborhood is, the harder it becomes to concentrate on the activities that neighbors do, especially for the employees who work from home. The lower efficiency of activities will result in the lower efficient people in society. Moreover, the lower efficient people in society become more anxious and depressed as they see their activity outputs. Based on the report of the IKO Community Management survey, “48 percent of all survey takers said noise is number one complaint among the people who live in a neighborhood in large cities, whether this noise is from raucous late-night parties or opposite sleep schedules that result in one neighbor waking up the other” (IKO Community Management). As an illustration of the effect of noise pollution in the community that I live in, we always see struggling between the people who work at home during the day and the teenagers who play loud music and have parties at their apartment. Once, our neighbor, Larry, who is a programmer, complained to the community management office about George, a young boy who invites his friend to their apartment any time of the day to play loud music and laugh loudly. Larry told me, “it is important that people like George be aware of the rights of other people who live in the same area with them” (Pileggi). Therefore, noise pollution can affect our mental concentration level and efficiency at work.

After understanding the effects of noise on the neighbors, it is highly essential to explore the main contributing causes of noise. In comparison with ancient times when there were not many sources causing noise, these days, multiple different causes of noise exist. These causes can range from natural environment causes to human-generated causes. Although nature can make noises caused by animals and natural effects, human-generated noises are usually more dangerous and annoying. From a personal perspective, the most important three causes of noise that are also generated by humans are traffic and transportation noise, construction sites, and nightlife, though noise can come from a variety of other places as well.

Among these three sources of noise, I believe that the first and the most important cause of the noise is traffic and transportation noise. Without a doubt, we all live in homes that are close to at least one street or one alley. Living close to streets or alleys will cause being affected by the noise that is generated by passing cars. Moreover, some homes are close to bus stations or railroads, which means that people who live in these apartments suffer from louder noises generated by these huge public transportation facilities. According to the IBERDROLA, “a car horn produces 90 dB of noise and a bus produces 100 dB of noise.” On the basis of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of noise, if we consider noise above 65 dB as noise pollution, this generated transportation noise can have a negative effect on our health. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 dB, and it will become painful if it is above 120 dB.

According to WHO, “it is recommended that noise levels to be kept below 65 dB during the day and 30 dB during nighttime” (WHO). A worse case is living close to the rail yard, as neighbors of the rail yard suffer from a higher level of noise pollution. Based on the interview that has been done about pros and cons of living close to a major rail yard, the interviewees felt that despite the fact that “the rail yard had a positive reputation and was highly valued for the jobs and economic growth it provides, it was also perceived, however, as a major contributor to the surrounding air quality as well as the noise pollution” (Spencer-Hwang). Several participants believed that “living in such close proximity to the rail yard had caused ailments in family, friends, and neighbors, as well as themselves” (Spencer-Hwang). Moreover, transportation noise can cause health-related issues, as previously discussed ones. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Clark et al. 2017 found “an increasing risk of diabetes with increasing exposure to transportation noise, but not with increasing exposure to traffic-related air pollutions.” In their study, noise pollution was independently associated with the incidence of diabetes in adult residents of metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia (Clark). Therefore, transportation noise is not only unacceptable for most of the neighbors, but it is also risky for our health.

As the second source of noise, which is not as common as the first resource, we can consider construction. You may have experienced construction noise, even in the early morning, that affected your sleep quality and caused you to wake up because of this construction noise. Although not all the neighbors are close to construction zones and construction noise is not a common cause of the noise, building, car park construction, and road and pavement resurfacing generate an even greater amount of noise, with noise level even higher than transportation. As an example, according to IBERDROLA, “a pneumatic drill produces 110 dB noise,” which is higher than the noise that is generated by car horns and buses. Whether self-inflicted or common, everyday living noise can cause temporary or permanent deafness. When one is around noise for long periods of time, the risk of deafness is increased. “Construction noise has become the second most serious acoustic pollution in many cities, which could cause significant health damage and social costs. In addition, housing renovation and construction noise, which has rarely been investigated before, is a significant covariate of a wide range of mental health symptoms” (Ma). Specifically, as big cities are experiencing rapid urbanization processes, there are numerous ongoing construction projects that have led to an increase in environmental complaints, and construction noise has become a serious problem in the majority of big cities. For example, among people at higher risk of health problems caused by construction noise, “construction workers are at increased risk for being hearing impaired” (Cunningham). Therefore, construction as the second cause of the noise can result in serious mental and physical health problems as well.

The third cause of the noise is related to the nightlife. Humans have been created to live in social groups naturally. That is why all of us spend most of our time and socialize with our friends and family. However, sometimes this socialization can affect other people, especially if gatherings and socialization are generating loud noise and we are not paying attention to the others living close to us. Especially, a person who lives close to bars, restaurants, and clubs will feel noise that is generated by socialization and gatherings much more. According to IBERDROLA, “bars, restaurants, and terraces that spill outside when the weather is good can produce more than 100 dB noise. This includes noise from pubs and clubs”. According to Peplow et al., “sustained exposure to noise in areas close to public places also has been correlated with cognitive impairment and behavioral problems in children, as well as the more obvious hearing damage and sleep deprivation”. The European Environment Agency (EAA) has blamed “900 thousand cases of high blood pressure (hypertension), 43 thousand hospital admissions and 10 thousand cases of premature deaths a year in Europe on noise”. As a real example, I talked to our neighbor, Mr. Smith, about the reason of his high blood pressure. He told me that “the doctor told me that the main reason of my high blood pressure is living in the busiest part of the Santa Monica area. To decrease my blood pressure, the doctor recommended my wife and me to move to a suburb area”. Therefore, living close to the places that are designed specifically for nightlife can increase the risk of being affected by noise pollution.

Having scrutinized the issue, although people’s ideas vary on different points of the spectrum regarding the noise pollution issue in a neighborhood, I strongly believe that noise pollution is the first and most important issue that should be solved because of its destructive effects on mental and physical health. Although there exist many causes for noise pollution, I believe that transportation noise as the first and the most important cause, construction, and night life are the three most important causes of noise pollution. Hence, I think the explanation that I have provided above in favor of the destructive effects and the main causes of noise pollution are much stronger.

After finding out that all types of noise in living areas have an immeasurably negative impact on people’s health, work efficiency, and daily life activities, I see that the potential solutions to the problem of noise pollution are to either control its level by the government or allow people to use various techniques in order to decrease the level of noise independently. However, as the government cannot apply effective measures to all areas where people live, citizens’ individual measures will be more efficient.

It goes without saying that noise pollution has already become an international problem as almost all big cities across the globe face it. In general, the most common measures aimed to reduce the level of noise include the limitation of noisy leisure activities, especially at night, the use of bicycles instead of cars, environmental education, and the insulation of houses with noise-absorbing materials (IBERDROLA). As a matter of fact, governmental policies may ensure noise control and correct control management by area protection and sustainable building construction. For instance, the United States Environmental Protection Agency established the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) under the Clean Air Act to study noise pollution and investigate its impact on the public health and people’s welfare (EPA). Since 1972, ONAC had been operating “to coordinate federal monitoring and regulation of noise at its source and facilitate informed policy-making at the state and local levels” (APHA).

The Office’s scope was expanded in 1978 by Congress that passed the Quiet Communities Act, including research funding and public health education dedicated to noise pollution (APHA). In general, ONAC created model noise ordinances, issued standards for local governments, and promulgated guidance documents in accordance with recommended or already existing exposure levels. In general, the governmental response includes appropriate planning policies and the introduction of the standards of sustainable construction in order to reduce the level of noise from the external environment in living buildings. In addition, the level of noise in residential buildings should be reduced as well according to the Building Regulations Approved Document E (Simonsen).

At the same time, governmental control cannot be regarded as a highly efficient measure. First of all, in 1981, the Administration decided that all issues related to noise pollution should be monitored by state and local governments (EPA). That is why, due to funding limitations, ONAC was closed. As a result, since 1986, no standards, regulations, or rules have been promulgated to limit sources of noise in electronics, appliances, industry, recreational items, or machinery (APHA). In addition, contemporary measures are not fully efficient due to their limited scope. In other words, only such territories as city parks, areas of natural interest, and new parts of the city may be protected (IBERDROLA). As a result, the majority of districts, especially old ones with established infrastructure, will be left without any changes. In addition, the idea of the construction of houses with the use of noise-absorbing materials is relevant only for new buildings. Thus, old buildings will be unprotected, and the level of noise in them will remain the same. Consequently, people who live in old districts with established infrastructure will suffer from the same levels of noise until they solve this issue by themselves.

That is why private measures that aim to reduce noise pollution for individuals and families who apply them are more efficient in comparison with policies that cannot affect all people. In other words, citizens may apply multiple useful, cost-effective techniques in order to reduce noise pollution in their apartments by themselves. The measures include the installation of acoustic wall panels, window shutters, or noise-blocking doors, placing furniture strategically, and turning off electrical appliances that constantly produce noise as well (JosTec). Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs may serve as a short-term solution in the case of construction work. Due to them, people will have a good sleep at night. Moreover, such design elements as wall hangings and carpets or rugs help reduce the level of noise. In addition, planting bushes and trees around the house by community members will reduce noise pollution and improve air quality as well. All these techniques may be defined as an excellent alternative for all people living in big cities, especially for those ones who cannot afford to move to another area protected from noise pollution.

APHA. “Environmental Noise Pollution Control.” 2013, Web.

Clark, Charlotte. “Association of Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise and Traffic-Related Air Pollution with the Incidence of Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study” , Environmental Health Perspectives , vol. 125, no. 8, 2017, pp. 087025-087025. Web.

Cunningham, William P. “Noise Pollution” , The Gale Encyclopedia of Environmental Health , col. 2, 2 nd Ed., 2019, Web.

EEA. “Noise in Europe 2014”, EEA Report 10 , 2014, Web.

EPA. “Clean Air Act Title IV – Noise Pollution.” Web.

IBERDROLA. “Noise Pollution: How to Reduce the Impact of an Invisible Threat?” Web.

IKO Community Management. “8 Of The Most Common Neighbor Disputes (And How To Handle Them),” 2017, Web.

JosTec. “How to Reduce Noise Pollution.” Web.

Ma, Jing. “A Multilevel Analysis of Perceived Noise Pollution, Geographic Contexts and Mental Health in Beijing” , International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , vol. 15, no. 7, 2018, p. 1479. Web.

Peplow, Andrew. “Noise Annoyance in the UAE: A Twitter Case Study via a Data-Mining Approach” , International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , vol. 18 no. 4, 2021, p. 2198. Web.

Pileggi, Larry. Personal Interview . 2021.

Siano, Daniela. “Noise and Environment.” IntechOpen, 2021, Web.

Simonsen, Jan. “How Can the Government Reduce Noise Pollution?” Rockwool , 2019, Web.

Spencer-Hwang, Rhonda. “Experiences of a Rail Yard Community: Life Is Hard.” Journal of Environmental Health , vol. 77, no. 2, 2014. Web.

World Health Organization (WHO). “Guideline Values of Noise”, 1995, Web.

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Essay on Noise Pollution: 100, 300 and 500 Words

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Essay on Noise Pollution

Noise pollution, an insidious environmental menace, refers to the excessive and undesirable sound that disrupts the tranquillity of our surroundings. Often originating from urban areas, transportation, industries, and recreational activities, noise pollution has far-reaching implications on human health and well-being. 

Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to stress, sleep disturbances, hearing impairment, and even cardiovascular problems. Moreover, it disturbs the natural habitat of wildlife and affects the overall quality of life. In this blog, we will give you a 100, 300, and 500-word essay on noise pollution. 

Also Read: Essay on Global Warming

100 Words Essay on Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is a pressing environmental issue that has detrimental effects on human health and well-being. It refers to our surroundings’ excessive, unwanted, and disturbing sounds. These sounds can originate from various sources, such as traffic, industrial machinery, construction, and even recreational activities.

Exposure to high levels of noise pollution can lead to several health problems, including hearing loss, increased stress, sleep disturbances, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, it can disrupt communication, hinder concentration, and decrease overall quality of life.

To mitigate noise pollution, it’s essential to implement sound regulations and promote noise-reducing technologies in urban planning and infrastructure development . Public awareness and responsible behaviour, such as reducing unnecessary honking and limiting loud activities during nighttime hours, also play a crucial role in combating this problem.

In conclusion, addressing noise pollution is vital for creating healthier, more livable urban environments and improving the overall well-being of communities.

Also Read: Essay on Pollution 

300 Words Essay on Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is a pervasive and often underestimated environmental issue that has a significant impact on the quality of life in urban areas. It refers to the excessive, unwanted, and disruptive sounds that fill our surroundings, leading to a wide range of physical, psychological, and social problems.

Sources of Noise Pollution

One of the primary sources of noise pollution in urban settings is traffic. The constant roar of engines, honking horns, and screeching brakes can be overwhelming. Industrial activities also contribute significantly, with the relentless hum of machinery and construction sites adding to the cacophony. In addition to these, social and recreational activities, such as concerts, parties, and even barking dogs, can add to the noise burden.

Consequences of Noise Pollution

The consequences of noise pollution are far-reaching. Physiologically, exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss, elevated stress levels, and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. It can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to chronic fatigue and irritability. Noise pollution can also impair cognitive functions and hinder concentration, impacting productivity and academic performance .

Moreover, noise pollution has social implications. It can strain relationships among neighbours, causing conflicts and reducing the sense of community. Children growing up in noisy environments may experience delays in language development and learning difficulties. Additionally, it affects wildlife, disrupting their natural habitats and communication.

How to Reduce Noise Pollution

Addressing noise pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Urban planning and zoning regulations can play a crucial role in minimizing noise exposure for residents. The development of noise barriers, quieter road surfaces, and improved public transportation can help mitigate the problem. Promoting the use of noise-reducing technologies, such as quieter machinery and better-insulated buildings, is also essential.

Individual responsibility is equally vital. Reducing unnecessary honking, limiting loud activities during nighttime hours, and using noise-cancelling headphones are practical steps individuals can take to reduce their contribution to noise pollution.

In conclusion, noise pollution poses a growing threat to urban life, affecting physical and mental health, social harmony, and overall well-being. To combat this issue effectively, a combination of government regulations, technological advancements, and individual awareness and responsibility is needed. 

500 Words Essay on Noise Pollution

Introduction.

Noise pollution encompasses unwanted and disruptive sounds generated by various sources, including transportation, industrial activities, and recreational events. 

This essay explores the causes, effects, and solutions to noise pollution, emphasizing the pressing need for collective action to mitigate its adverse impact on modern urban life.

Causes of Noise Pollution

1. Transportation: Urban areas are characterized by constant traffic flow, which is a primary source of noise pollution. The incessant rumble of engines, screeching tires, and incessant honking contribute significantly to the overall noise levels.

2. Industrial Activities: Industries and factories, often concentrated in urban zones, generate noise through the operation of heavy machinery, equipment, and manufacturing processes. Construction activities, with their bulldozers and pile drivers, are particularly notorious for their noise emissions.

3. Recreational Activities: Urban centres are hubs of entertainment and recreation, hosting concerts, sporting events, and social gatherings. These activities generate high levels of noise, especially when amplified music or cheering crowds are involved.

Effects of Noise Pollution

1. Health Implications: Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to severe health problems. Hearing impairment is a common consequence, with noise-induced hearing loss being a well-documented issue. Noise pollution is also linked to increased stress, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure, which can escalate the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

2. Sleep Disturbances: Noise pollution disrupts sleep patterns, leading to chronic sleep disturbances. Poor sleep quality can result in fatigue, irritability, and decreased cognitive performance, affecting overall productivity and well-being.

3. Cognitive Impairment: Noise pollution impairs cognitive functions, making it difficult to concentrate and focus. This can hinder academic performance and reduce workplace productivity.

Solutions to Noise Pollution

1. Urban Planning: Thoughtful urban planning and zoning regulations are essential to mitigate noise pollution. Separating industrial areas from residential zones, implementing noise-buffering green spaces, and designing soundproofed buildings can significantly reduce noise exposure.

2. Noise Barriers: Erecting noise barriers along highways and busy roads can shield residential areas from traffic noise. These barriers are designed to absorb or reflect sound waves, reducing their impact.

3. Quiet Transportation: Promoting quieter modes of transportation, such as electric vehicles and hybrid engines, can substantially reduce noise pollution. Improved public transportation can also reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.

Noise pollution poses a significant threat to urban life, affecting physical and mental health, social harmony, and overall well-being. 

To effectively combat this issue, concerted efforts are required at the individual, community, and government levels. Implementing noise-reducing technologies, adopting responsible behaviour, and enacting sound urban planning policies are steps toward creating quieter, healthier, and more livable urban environments for all. 

Also Read: Essay on Sustainable Development: Format; Examples

Ans. The primary sources of noise pollution include transportation, industrial activities, and recreational events. Transportation-related noise comes from vehicles on roads, railways, and aircraft in the sky. Industrial activities generate noise through machinery, equipment, and construction. Recreational events like concerts, sporting events, and social gatherings also contribute to noise pollution.

Ans. Noise pollution can have adverse effects on human health. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss, increased stress, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure. It can disrupt sleep patterns, resulting in chronic fatigue and irritability. Noise pollution can also impair cognitive functions, making it challenging to concentrate and focus, which can impact productivity and overall well-being.

Ans. To reduce noise pollution, several measures can be implemented. These include: 1. Urban Planning: Thoughtful urban planning and zoning regulations can separate noisy industrial areas from residential zones and incorporate green spaces to buffer noise. 2. Noise Barriers: Installing noise barriers along highways and busy roads can shield residential areas from traffic noise by absorbing or reflecting sound waves. 3. Quiet Transportation: Promoting quieter transportation options like electric vehicles and hybrid engines can reduce noise emissions.

We hope that this blog on Noise Pollution has given you some known and unknown facts and secrets about Noise Pollution.  For more amazing reads on essay writing , follow Leverage Edu. 

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A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Noise pollution.

Noise pollution can cause health problems for people and wildlife, both on land and in the sea. From traffic noise to rock concerts, loud or inescapable sounds can cause hearing loss, stress, and high blood pressure. Noise from ships and human activities in the ocean is harmful to whales and dolphins that depend on echolocation to survive.

Anthropology, Sociology, Biology, Ecology, Conservation

Construction Noise Pollution

A man working with a jackhammer in a construction site. Noise pollution becomes and increasingly larger issue in big cities.

Photograph by Construction Photography/Avalon

A man working with a jackhammer in a construction site. Noise pollution becomes and increasingly larger issue in big cities.

Noise pollution is an invisible danger. It cannot be seen, but it is present nonetheless, both on land and under the sea. Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms.

Sound is measured in decibels . There are many sounds in the environment, from rustling leaves (20 to 30 decibels ) to a thunderclap (120 decibels ) to the wail of a siren (120 to 140 decibels ). Sounds that reach 85 decibels or higher can harm a person’s ears. Sound sources that exceed this threshold include familiar things, such as power lawn mowers (90 decibels ), subway trains (90 to 115 decibels ), and loud rock concerts (110 to 120 decibels ).

Noise pollution impacts millions of people on a daily basis. The most common health problem it causes is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress. These health problems can affect all age groups, especially children. Many children who live near noisy airports or streets have been found to suffer from stress and other problems, such as impairments in memory, attention level, and reading skill.

Noise pollution also impacts the health and well-being of wildlife. Studies have shown that loud noises can cause caterpillars' dorsal vessels (the insect equivalent of a heart) to beat faster, and cause bluebirds to have fewer chicks. Animals use sound for a variety of reasons, including to navigate, find food, attract mates, and avoid predators. Noise pollution makes it difficult for them to accomplish these tasks, which affects their ability survive.

Increasing noise is not only affecting animals on land, it is also a growing problem for those that live in the ocean. Ships, oil drills, sonar devices, and seismic tests have made the once tranquil marine environment loud and chaotic. Whales and dolphins are particularly impacted by noise pollution . These marine mammals rely on echolocation to communicate, navigate, feed, and find mates, and excess noise interferes with their ability to effectively echolocate.

Some of the loudest underwater noise comes from naval sonar devices. Sonar , like echolocation , works by sending pulses of sound down into the depths of the ocean to bounce off an object and return an echo to the ship, which indicates a location for object. Sonar sounds can be as loud as 235 decibels and travel hundreds of miles under water, interfering with whales’ ability to use echolocation . Research has shown that sonar can cause mass strandings of whales on beaches and alter the feeding behavior of endangered blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus ). Environmental groups are urging the U.S. Navy to stop or reduce using sonar for military training.

Seismic surveys also produce loud blasts of sound within the ocean. Ships looking for deep-sea oil or gas deposits tow devices called air guns and shoot pulses of sound down to the ocean floor. The sound blasts can damage the ears of marine animals and cause serious injury. Scientists believe this noise may also be contributing to the altered behavior of whales.

Among those researching the effects of noise pollution is Michel Andre, a bioacoustics researcher in Spain who is recording ocean sounds using instruments called hydrophones . His project, LIDO (Listening to the Deep Ocean Environment), collects data at 22 different locations. Back in the lab, computers identify the sounds of human activities as well as 26 species of whales and dolphins. The analysis aims to determine the effects that underwater noise is having on these animals. Andre hopes his project will find ways to protect marine animals from the dangers of ocean noise.

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What can be done.

Have you ever been somewhere truly free from the sounds of humankind? We become immune to the sounds of distant traffic and especially the subtle hum of planes above, but there are few places that don't have some form of noise pollution.

Noise pollution is noise that has surpassed ambient noise levels and has a harmful impact on humans and animals. This type of pollution is generated by humans and is a form of environmental degradation. It can serve as a source of stress on fauna, can have negative effects on animal welfare, and can even cause behavioral changes in birds, according to a study on the impacts of noise pollution on birds.  

Noise pollution can be problematic when frequencies that are produced disrupt information transmission in animals, specifically animals that use similar frequencies to communicate. These disturbances can also lead to higher anti-predator behaviors in situations that don’t require it, as well as change species vocalization, increase stress and stress-related diseases, and have the potential to decrease populations.

Noise Pollution Facts

  • The third most common chronic physical condition in the United States is hearing loss. (CDC)
  • Over 100 million people in the European Union are exposed to traffic noise above 55 decibels (dB), according to a study looking at noise pollution and its health effects.
  • Noise over 70 dB over a long period of time can damage your hearing, and noise above 120 dB can cause immediate damage to your ears. The average sound of a firework is 140 dB, and the average sound of traffic (from inside the car) is 80 to 85 dB. ( CDC )
  • Noise pollution threatens the survival of over 100 species.

Noise pollution can also be defined as an unwanted sound. The noise that is studied usually refers to occupational noise instead of social noise or environmental noise like construction.

In the E.U., around 56 million who live in areas with a population size of more than 250,000 people are exposed to more than average traffic noise. In the United States, noise has been shown to be increasing in California due to street traffic and increased at a rate of 6.7 dBA (A-weighted decibels). 

Noise pollution's impact on the environment can be classified as:

  • Chronic Contamination / Continuous Noise : Constant exposure to noise; this type of pollution can lead to hearing impairment.
  • Temporary Contamination with Physiological Damage : Exposure to a limited source of noise; an example is exposure to explosives.
  • Temporary Pollution Without Damage : Continuous noise for a limited period of time, like street noise—this can lead to temporary hearing impairments.

Meanwhile, low-frequency noise is described as the background noise that comes from urban environments like air conditioning systems or vehicles. Traffic accounts for 80% of the environmental impact of noise. In animals, traffic noise can reduce foraging efficiency, and in birds can affect their reproductive system.

Examples of Noise Pollution

Barcelona , Spain

Barcelona is among the top cities exposed to noise pollution. Almost 48% of city blocks had an average noise level over 65dB, and only 5% of city blocks had noise levels under 55dB, according to research on environmental noise inequities in the city. The area with the highest noise level was the Eixample district; this district has high flows of street traffic and is also where the very popular La Sagrada Familia is located. This district, as well as the Sarria-Sant Gervasi district, experience levels over 70dB. In Barcelona, 94% of the population lives in city blocks that experience high-noise levels. In Madrid, 80% of all urban noise comes from road traffic, according to an impact assessment of traffic noise in Madrid . In general, the E.U. has shown that 65% of Europeans live in major urban areas that are exposed to high noise levels.

New York City, United States

Noise has been consistently reported as the number-one quality-of-life issue affecting residents in New York City. Sound pressure levels were reported at 70 to 85 dB in midtown Manhattan, which is above average and is at a level that poses health hazards, according to an assessment of noise pollution in NYC . More than two million people in New York City reported that they were disturbed from sleep by noise once a week; 78% of those people reported being disturbed three or more nights each week, according to a paper on the effects of ambient noise on sleep . Traffic noise caused 53% of sleep disturbances. Measured locations in New York City with noise levels greater than 70dB increased risk of hearing loss. These noise levels were especially high in areas with a lot of traffic, during the morning and evening commuting periods, and all around Manhattan, as reported in an assessment of street-level noise in New York City. The assessment also found that the highest noise measurement occurred when sirens, heavy pedestrian traffic, or construction was present. Street-level noises contribute to 4% of total noise exposed to the NYC public.

Noise Pollution and the Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act Amendment added Title IV to the document, which relates to noise pollution. This amendment established the EPA Office of Noise Abatement and Control to study the effect of noise on public health and the effect on wildlife, the psychological and physiological effects it may have on people, and the effect of sporadic extreme noise. The sources of noise that are regulated by the EPA include construction equipment, trucks, transport equipment, low-noise emission products, and rail and motor carriers. It also regulates the labeling of hearing protection devices.  During the time this amendment was written, the EPA identified the average exposure to environmental noise to be 70 dB over 24 hours and average levels of 55 dB outdoors. However, the Office of Noise Abatement and Control was closed as the administration thought it was best if issues regarding noise were handled at the local and State level, according to the EPA .

The Noise Control Act of 1972 and the Quiet Communities Act essentially replaced the office and have yet to be rescinded, however the EPA’s website states they are “essentially unfunded.” Since the Clean Air Act and the previously mentioned amendment are no longer enforced, people can look at their state’s regulations. For example, Colorado limits the decibels produced by noise in residential, commercial, light industrial, and industrial zones between a set time. Their statute also considers periodic, intrusive, or shrill noises as a nuisance. The California Noise Control Act reiterates the harm excessive noise can have on physiological and psychological health, and also states that people in California are entitled to having a “peaceful and quiet” environment without noise that could be hazardous to their health.

The greatest effect of noise pollution on the environment is on animals. Noise pollution can affect an animal's ability to detect acoustic signals, affect courtship behaviors, cause birds to produce fewer eggs, and cause fewer offspring to reach reproductive age. On detecting acoustic signals, noise can also be produced in the same frequencies in which animals vocalize and can interrupt the transmission of information.

Noise affects many species of animals, from amphibians, arthropods, birds, and fish to mammals, mollusks, and reptiles.

According to the World Health Organization, noise is one of the most hazardous forms of pollution and has become omnipresent in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

How Noise Affects Animals

  • It hampers communication . Most animals rely on vocalizations and other acoustic signals to communicate with each other. Interference makes it challenging for animals to find mates, warn of danger, establish territories, and coordinate group activities.
  • It disrupts reproduction : Noise pollution is distracting and can disrupt breeding behaviors and lead to diminished reproductive success. For instance, loud noises near nesting sites can cause birds to abandon their nests.
  • It compromises dwindling habitat : Noise can reduce the quality of usable habitat, something that is already in critical decline.
  • It alters foraging patterns : Noise pollution can change the foraging patterns of animals. For example, ship noise can cause marine mammals to avoid certain feeding grounds.
  • It leads to stress and health issues : Just like in human animals, prolonged exposure to loud and constant noise can lead to chronic stress in non-human animals, which can have many adverse effects.
  • It drowns out environmental cues : Noise pollution can make it hard to hear important environmental cues that animals have always relied on to navigate and detect predators or prey.
  • It disorients and can cause strandings : Particularly in aquatic environments, noise—like that from ships or oil extraction activities—can disorient marine animals and lead to beach strandings or collisions with boats.

These disturbances can have long-term consequences. For example, some species may perform anti-predator behavior due to the confusion noise may create, as is the case with the impact of noise pollution on the saffron finch.

In this case, the noise created by traffic changed the behavior of saffron finches and made them less aggressive. In an environment with heavy noise, the male bird would display less aggressive behaviors when confronted by an intruding bird. This may be because they pay less attention to the intruder if unwanted noise masks the information that dictates the attributes of the intruder. The study predicts that if noise pollution were to continue, this species would continue to exhibit anti-predator behavior, as well as eat and reproduce less. This type of behavioral change was also found in the chipping sparrow.

Trees can be used against noise pollution, according to an investigation on the effects of leaves, branches, and canopies on noise pollution. By decreasing the area in which noise is made and increasing tree presence with tree belts of at least 12 meters, trees could serve as a noise barrier in urban areas. Another study found that tree belts with a width of 30 meters could be planted on the roadside and have more than 6dB reduction of noise than a grassland would. The conclusion was that more trees, branches, and leaves could reduce noise pollution.

Regulations have also been placed in the U.S. statewide and local governments to reduce noise pollution. New York, for example, has a regulation that looks at occupational noise exposure; this ranges from monitoring noise to providing personal protective equipment. Many states and local governments in the U.S. have their own regulations regarding noise pollution; however, many focus on the human impacts that noise pollution has and not the environmental impacts.

How Can You Help?

  • Advocate for planting trees and vegetation, or plant trees yourself. Trees can serve as a great noise barrier and have many other benefits as well.
  • Turn down the volume on your television, music, and car stereo—especially in urban and residential areas where people can overhear your entertainment.
  • If you own a car or motorcycle, ensure it's well-maintained to minimize engine noise.
  • Check your road rage and limit unnecessary honking.
  • Limit the use of loud machinery or equipment.
  • Opt for electric gardening equipment—gas-powered lawnmowers and leafblowers are a bane for your neighbors.
  • Opt for an electric car, which reduces engine noise from traffic.
  • Use soundproofing in your home or workspace to decrease the noise you hear and the noise you emit.
  • Advocate for quiet zones in public places, like parks, libraries, or public transportation.
  • Research and support local and national noise-reduction policies and regulations.
  • Become active in local community initiatives to reduce noise pollution, such as organizing noise awareness campaigns or supporting noise-reduction projects.
  • How Do Trees Reduce Noise Pollution?
  • The Environmental Impact of Ocean Noise
  • How Does BPA Affect Animals and the Environment?
  • Noise Pollution Maps Offer a Nightmare Feast for the Senses
  • What Does 'Unhealthy Air Quality for Sensitive Groups' Mean?
  • How Does Mercury Get in Fish?
  • Why Some Bees Are Endangered and What We Can Do to Help
  • Quietest Cars: Do Electric Cars Make Any Sound?
  • How the Sounds of Nature Affect Your Well-Being
  • What Are Fugitive Emissions? Definition and Impact
  • Are Endangered Fin Whales Bouncing Back After Decades of Commercial Whaling?
  • Why Ganges River Dolphins Are Endangered
  • Environmental Impact of Harmful Chemicals in Beauty Products
  • What Is DDT? Environmental Impact and Current Uses
  • Climate Racism Leaves People of Color at Greater Risk of Heat Stress
  • Fireworks Have Long-Lasting Impact on Wild Birds
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Essay on Noise Pollution : Causes, Effects & Solutions

February 2, 2021 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

What is Noise pollution?

Noise pollution is a type of pollution that does not directly affect the environment but has adverse effects on the hearing abilities of the inhabitants of our ecosystem.

Hearing of an organism is directly linked to the nervous systems internally.

Hence noise pollution affects the mental health and disturbs the delicate balance of an individual in case of over-exposure to noise levels beyond a certain decibel.

There may have been many instances, especially when you’re living in a city, that you’ve been so annoyed with the noise around you, that you lose your composure. You grab your ears and just wait for the noise to stop.

That is the essence of noise pollution. It comprises of all the loud noises around you, caused by vehicular traffic, heavy machinery in factories and sometimes, the disturbance of trains and aeroplanes, if you live near an airport or railway station .

The blaring sounds from loudspeakers and high speakers are not to be left behind, especially when there are processions or big festivals taking place.

Let us ponder over a few examples for better understanding.

Whales are known to emit their call louder when they detect a submarine since a submarine uses SONAR and other sound oriented devices for communication and navigation.

The SONAR dampens the whale’s call, making it less effective, which in turn might lead to some members not hearing it and missing some vital signal, like a hunting call.

Causes of noise pollution

Let us first begin by trying to understand how noise is generated technically.

Noise basically is a mixture of all sounds around us. These sounds originate from various sources.  Inside the waveform of a noise, we can find overlapping waveform indicating mixed and jumbled outputs rendering ‘noise’.

The outcomes may contain undesirable and irritating waveform called noise. Noise pollution is more prominent in urban areas than in rural areas.

This is because rural areas have only half the amount of vehicles, minimal amount of factories and other sources producing loud noises.

It is more discomforting and annoying in particular to senior citizens, who seek a calm and peaceful atmosphere in their days of retirement. In India, festivals are a crucial part of our culture and thus, are given utmost importance.

But the celebrations and proceedings involved with these festivities result in noise pollution on a wide scale.

This scenario especially gets worse when people disregard the fact about patients in hospitals, nursing mothers, pregnant women and ill patients who need relief from such blaring noises.

Similar is the case with wedding celebrations. Nowadays, almost everyone holds a wedding procession which involves the bride and groom, either walking or on horses or carriages, slowly proceeding towards the groom’s house.

Celebrations take place on a large scale involving huge loudspeakers and noise from trumpets and drum beats causing inconvenience to residents and other establishments, including schools, colleges, hospitals and other religious establishments like temples and churches.

Well known incidences of noise pollution occur during festivals, normal, everyday traffic on the road, etc.

During festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi , Diwali etc the occurrence of sound pollution is really high.

Diwali causes noise as well as Air pollution , people celebrate Diwali for their joy, and indeed they burst crackers that create massive noise.

Traffic on the road is the primary reason for sound pollution in big cities. There are many other factors too that cause the deadly noise pollution.

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Effects of noise pollution

Our human ear can detect sounds in the frequencies between 20Hz to 20 KHz. But constant exposure to sound beyond certain intensity is harmful to the ears.

We already know that sound intensity is measured in Decibels, also denoted as dB. In a normal airport, a plane that is landing or leaving the run way creates a noise exceeding intensities of 120 dB.

There are chances of irreversible damage to the human ear when exposed to noises above 80 dB. Instances of noise have been recorded from the ancient times in the cities of Rome, on account of the dawn of industrialization.

Poorly planned cities and towns are another reason where residents have to become victims of noise pollution. If the city is near an industrial area, then the residential areas face heavy instances of noise pollution.

Though the human ear’s maximum capacity of tolerating noise cannot be exactly measured, it is believed that the intensity is about 80 dB.

Continuous exposure to sounds of intensities higher than this may lead to a myriad of health problems. It may lead to physical as well as psychological changes.

A person shows increased levels of stress and becomes prone to mental illnesses if he is prone to irregular levels of noise.

Every person’s tolerance is inbuilt differently and the ability of a person to tolerate noise provides him stability from within. Beyond that threshold level, the mind senses disturbance and gets irritated by the effects of noise.

This irritability is then transferred to the inner regions on the brain wherein complex reactions alter normal functioning of brain components.

When this process happens over long periods of time, the brain functioning itself gets altered and that’s when we say that an abnormality has occurred in the mental well being of a person.

The chances of a cardio vascular disease are also highly elevated. It is not just humans who are affected, but animals in the vicinity too face disturbance.

Dogs, with a higher sense of hearing, may get their ears damaged by exposure to higher levels of noise pollution.

Wildlife is adversely affected, as the loud man-made noises drown the mating calls, warning alarms and threat noises that animals use normally to communicate with one another.

For example in birds, the bird robin is observed to sing more likely at night, in a heavily noise polluted area since, in the day time, the noises are significantly louder.

Solutions for noise pollution

The threat of noise pollution is being realized and the governments are taking measures to reduce them.

In India too, certain rules and regulations have been set up regarding noise generation and emission. But the enforcement of these laws is not incorporated on strict terms and thus the defaulters escape scot-free.

It is good to know that there are many NGOs (non-government organizations) that have taken the initiative to reduce noise pollution and so far they’ve made tremendous progress, especially in the urban areas.

The rural areas, unfortunately, still face the wrath of noise pollution. It is up to us, the educated urban crowds, to control and prohibit the curse of noise pollution.

It’s also good to create awareness among the rural inhabitants regarding the ill effects of noise pollution.

Today, everyone has come to know the deadly effect of noise pollution. The government has taken some of the crucial steps to reduce the sound pollution.

The noise of Loud Speakers should be limited and should not cross beyond a certain decibel. An individual or group isn’t permitted to use loud speakers in the vicinity of schools, colleges, and hospitals.

Government has imposed strict restrictions and posed limitations on the use of loudspeakers during festivals. It has posted a big list do’s and don’ts and applied the rules at appropriate regions of high noise traffic.

The effects of noise pollution is not restricted to human beings alone, it has deadly impacts on lives of animals as well.

To control this type of pollution, people should create awareness on its impact on human health. Airports should be situated far away from residential areas.

Manufacturing industries such as steel and iron establishments should be situated far away from residential complexes.

It’s more of an individual effort to control noise pollution.  We may not be able to totally stop noise pollution , but we can definitely take steps to reduce it by a great level.

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A Study of Noise Pollution Measurements and Possible Effects on Public Health in Ota Metropolis, Nigeria

Pelumi e. oguntunde.

1 Department of Mathematics, Covenant University, Ogun State, Ota, Nigeria

Hilary I. Okagbue

Omoleye a. oguntunde.

2 Department of Business Management, Covenant University, Ogun State, Ota, Nigeria

Oluwole O. Odetunmibi

Background:.

Noise pollution has become a major environmental problem leading to nuisances and health issues.

This paper aims to study and analyse the noise pollution levels in major areas in Ota metropolis. A probability model which is capable of predicting the noise pollution level is also determined.

Datasets on the noise pollution level in 41 locations across Ota metropolis were used in this research. The datasets were collected thrice per day; morning, afternoon and evening. Descriptive statistics were performed, and analysis of variance was also conducted using Minitab version 17.0 software. Easy fit software was however used to select the appropriate probability model that would best describe the dataset.

The noise levels are way far from the WHO recommendations. Also, there is no significant difference in the effects of the noise pollution level for all the times of the day considered. The log-logistic distribution provides the best fit to the dataset based on the Kolmogorov Smirnov goodness of fit test.

CONCLUSION:

The fitted probability model can help in the prediction of noise pollution and act as a yardstick in the reduction of noise pollution, thereby improving the public health of the populace.

Introduction

Noise pollution is one of several environmental pollutions across the world. It can be described as the propagation of noise with a harmful impact on the physiological and psychological lives of humans or animals [ 1 ]. Noise or sound pollution is usually not studied compared with other forms of pollution such as air [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], water [ 5 ], soil [ 6 ], light and radioactive. The reason is that the adverse effects of other forms of pollution on humans are more pronounced. Notwithstanding, noise pollution remains a serious health concern in the study area (Ota, Nigeria) in particular and the entire planet [ 7 ], [ 8 ]. Some of the identified sources of noise pollution are loud music from concerts, religious buildings like churches and mosques, noise emitting generators [ 9 ], political rallies, road advertisement, traffic [ 10 ] and air transportation [ 11 ], sporting events, construction and industrial activities. In all the mentioned sources, areas that have high risk of noise pollution are residential places near to major roads [ 12 ] and airports and manufacturing industries [ 13 ]; for example, small scale industries [ 14 ], [ 15 ], steel rolling industries [ 16 ], oil and gas industry [ 17 ], [ 18 ] and so on.

The health effects of noise pollution cannot be over-emphasised. This has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Environment Protection Agency (FEPA) (Nigeria) to set standards and limits of allowable noise levels. Noise pollution occurs when it is observed that those standards are exceeded as seen in [ 19 ], [ 20 ].

The most common manifestation of noise pollution is hearing loss or impairment [ 21 ]. Hearing impairment is mostly classified as occupational hazards especially when the individual is affiliated with industry that propagates loud sound or noise. Moreover, several physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution exist. The combination of noise and air pollution is associated with respiratory ailments, dizziness and tiredness in school children [ 22 ], [ 23 ]. In adults, noise pollution has been found to be associated with high blood pressure [ 24 ] and cognitive difficulties [ 25 ].

A look at the literature showed the abundance of evidence of the adverse effects of noise pollution on the general public health. The worsening situation of noise pollution is that it has not been upgraded to the level of the other forms of pollution. Also, recommendations suggested by several authors on the different strategies on tackling noise pollution has not been considered and implemented. However, noise pollution continues to impact negatively on fetal development [ 26 ], annoyance and anxiety [ 27 ], mental health crisis [ 28 ], sleep disturbance and insomnia [ 29 ], [ 30 ], cardiovascular disorders in pregnant women [ 31 ], cardiocerebrovascular diseases [ 32 ], type 2 diabetes incidence [ 33 ] and medically unexplained physical symptoms [ 34 ]. Other auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health are myocardial infarction incidence [ 35 ], peptic ulcers [ 36 ] and disruption of communication and retentive capabilities in children [ 37 ].

Material and Methods

The dataset used in this research was gotten from [ 38 ]. It represents the noise level in 41 major locations in Ota metropolis, Nigeria. These major areas include industrial areas, commercial areas, passenger loading parks, busy roads and junctions. The readings were taken using the SLM (Sound Level Meter). Measurements were taken three different times of the day; morning (7 am to 9 am), afternoon (1 pm to 3 pm) and evening (6 pm to 8 pm). Particularly, the noise pollution level (NLP) was considered and analysed in this present research.

Analysis of Variance

Analysis of variance is conducted in this research to know if there is a significant difference between the effect of noise pollution level in the morning, afternoon and evening in Ota metropolis. The hypothesis tested is:

H 0 : The effects of the noise pollution level are the same for morning, afternoon and evening

H 1 : The effects of the noise pollution level are not the same for at least one of either morning, afternoon or evening.

The level of significance used is 0.05, and the null hypothesis is considered rejected if the p-value is less or equal to the level of significance. The structure of the ANOVA table is such as presented in Table 1 .

A typical example of a one-way ANOVA Table

where, ‘f’ is the number of factors which is 3 according to this research; morning, afternoon and evening. ‘n’ is the overall sample size.

The goodness of Fit Test

The goodness of fit test is performed in this research to select the probability model that best fits the dataset. The Kolmogorov Smirnov (KS) test, the Anderson Darling (AD) test and Chi-square test are examples of the goodness of fit tests.

The KS test was adopted in this research because it is the most popular and others might give similar results. The null hypothesis tests whether the data follow a specified distribution. If represent ordered data points, the KS statistic is:

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g001.jpg

where are the ordered data and is the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the continuous distribution tested.

Descriptive Analysis of the Dataset

The summary for the LNP measurements is provided in Figures ​ Figures1 1 to ​ to3 3 while the summary for the mean measurement across the 41 locations is provided in Figure 4 .

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g002.jpg

Summary report for morning measurements on LNP

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Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g004.jpg

Summary report for evening measurements on LNP

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Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g005.jpg

Summary report for the mean measurements of LNP across all locations in Ota

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Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g003.jpg

Summary report for afternoon measurements on LNP

Result for the Analysis of Variance

The analyses of the means of the various measurements are presented in Table 2 .

Analysis of the Means

The 95% confidence interval (CI) plot for the means is displayed in Figure 5 .

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g006.jpg

The 95% confidence interval (C.I) plot for the means

The result of the analysis of variance is presented in Table 3 .

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Table

The result in Table 3 shows that the generated p-value is 0.997 which is far greater than the level of significance (0.05). Hence, there is no enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis, and it can, therefore, be concluded that there is no significant difference in the means of the noise level measurements taken in the morning, afternoon and evening. This result is further confirmed by Turkey’s post-hoc test which is summarized in Figure 6 .

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g007.jpg

Summary of Turkey’s post-hoc analysis

It can be observed in Figure 6 that all the intervals contained zero; this is an indication that there is no significant difference in the pair of each of the measurements considered.

Fitting of Probability Models

To determine the appropriate probability model that describes the mean noise pollution level in Ota metropolis, Easyfit (trial version) software was used to select distribution with the best fit. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test of goodness of fit was used to select the best model. The software fitted sixty distributions to the dataset, but the best five was reported in this research. The result is presented in Table 4 .

Fitted Distributions

From Table 4 , the best-fitted model is the three-parameter Log-logistic distribution; this selection/decision is based on the Kolmogorov Smirnov statistic. A graph showing the best distribution fitted to the dataset on mean noise pollution level is presented in Figure 7 .

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is OAMJMS-7-1391-g008.jpg

Graph of log-logistic distribution on the histogram of the dataset

In conclusion, further analyses of the noise pollution level in Ota metropolis has been provided in this research. The mean noise level in the morning was 90.78 which is higher than (though very close to) that of afternoon and evening with means 90.6 and 90.72 respectively. This is reasonable as more activities are expected during this time; pupils are going to school, workers going to the office, traffic at some junction and major bus stops. However, the analysis of variance result indicated that the time of the day (morning, afternoon and evening) have the same effect on the environment and populace. Also, the noise pollution level in Ota metropolis can be modelled using the log-logistic distribution as evident from the goodness of fit test. The model can now be used in predicting and managing noise pollution in that area. Furthermore, the model can be used in different geographical settings where noise pollution poses a perceived threat to the public health of the populace.

Funding: This research received financial support from the Covenant University

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist

Noise Pollution, Causes, Effects, Types and Measures to Control_1.1

Noise Pollution, Causes, Effects, Types and Measures to Control

Noise Pollution is important from the perspective of UPSC IAS Examination which falls under GS Paper 1 & GS Paper 3 and particularly in the Ecology and Environment Section.

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Table of Contents

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is any unwanted or grating sound that has an effect on the health and wellbeing of people and other living things. Over 6% of Indians, according to a WHO estimate from 2007, have hearing loss. Long-term exposure to noise levels above 60 decibels (NIHL) results in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Some of the significant health effects include deafness, cardiac problems, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment in young people.

Designing quieter machinery, utilizing acoustic enclosures and vibration isolators, extending the transmission distance, using noise-canceling headphones and earplugs, and other methods can all help reduce noise pollution. You will learn about noise pollution in this article, which will aid you while you study the environmental topics for the UPSC Syllabus .

What is Noise Pollution?

The term “noise pollution” refers to the regular exposure to loud noises that have the potential to harm people or other living things. Noise is defined as an unwelcome sound in accordance with the Central Pollution Control Board’s regulations.

The WHO estimates that 1.1 billion young people (aged 12 to 35) are at risk of hearing loss as a result of noise exposure. In Europe, prolonged exposure to environmental noise is a factor in 12,000 early deaths per year.

Causes of noise pollution

The causes of noise pollution have been mentioned below:

Industrialization

Nowadays, one of the main sources of noise pollution is the expansion of companies in metropolitan areas, which use a variety of noisy machines.

Improper Planning of Urban Areas

Because of crowded housing, limited space, inadequate parking facilities, and frequent battles over essential services that disturb the environment of society, improper and bad urban planning plays a significant role in the creation of noise pollution, particularly in developing nations.

Social Events

  • One of the causes of noise pollution is an increase in the number of vehicles on the road.
  • Traffic congestion, subterranean trains, airplanes, and other loud noises, for instance, can cause hearing loss.

Vehicles and transportation

The increase in the number of automobiles on the road is one of the causes of noise pollution. For instance, hearing loss may result from excessive noise from airplanes, underground trains, traffic, and other sources. At least 20% of people in the European Union are currently exposed to levels of road traffic noise that are deemed harmful, according to the Frontiers Report.

Construction Sites

Noise pollution is considerably exacerbated by a variety of construction operations, such as mining and the building of bridges, dams, and other structures.

Agriculture

Most farmers are unaware of the detrimental health effects caused by louder noises made by agricultural equipment like tractors, trolleys, and harvesters.

Effects of noise pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.1 billion young people (aged 12 to 35) are at risk of hearing loss as a result of noise exposure, and there is sufficient data to support the claim that noise exposure at night results in self-reported sleep disturbance, which is regarded as a health issue. The following are a few effects of noise pollution:

  • Hearing Impairment: Prolonged exposure to loud noises that are louder than the average level of sound intensity can cause eardrum damage and hearing impairment.
  • Sleeping problems: Noise pollution can interfere with a person’s sleep cycle, which can lead to exhaustion, poor energy, and sleeping disorders.
  • Chronic Health Problems: Exposure to noise pollution increases the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases such diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and arterial hypertension. A conservative estimate states that long-term environmental noise exposure contributes to 12,000 premature deaths and 48,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease per year in Europe.
  • Traffic noise and other urban noises have a negative impact on other species and endanger their survival. For example, animals use auditory signals to communicate for a variety of reasons, including defending their territory, warning of danger, luring or attracting partners, and rearing their young. However, these functions are significantly hampered by noise pollution.
  • Productivity Loss: Working in situations that are too noisy makes people very uncomfortable, which is bad for their mental health and reduces productivity. In turn, this boosts the price of production.
  • Noise can also harm non-living creatures, thus it is important to consider this. There have been many cases where loud booms have caused modern, even brand-new buildings to break.
  • Human performance: Distractions at work will have an effect on how well people perform.
  • Effect on vegetation: It is now well known that humans and plants have many characteristics. They have the same sensitivities as people. A peaceful and cold environment is required for their better development. Noise pollution causes crops with low quality to suffer in a pleasant setting.
  • Abortion: During pregnancy, a calm, cool atmosphere should rule. Unpleasant sounds make a woman irritable worse. A loud noise can induce abortion in females.

Steps to Control Noise Pollution

  • Green cover expansion ought to be given first attention. Vegetation in metropolitan areas can reduce noise amplification from roads, diffuse noise, and absorb acoustic energy. Additionally, they help to improve natural noises by attracting urban wildlife. This calls for measures like the installation of “green roofs” and tree belts.
  • Route interventions are engineering methods that build a wall to block the flow of noise from the source to the receiver. When constructed from recycled materials like plastic and auto tires, both traditional and contemporary materials have showed potential. For instance, it was found that using fiberglass from scrapped wind turbine blades, a barrier effect might reduce road noise levels by 6-7 dB.
  • Through the use of integrated solutions, noise pollution should be considered in the context of a wider range of environmental issues, particularly when it is coupled with air pollution. After integration, the findings of several of the countries assessed for the European Environment Agency study improved.
  • A 20-foot-wide plantation inside the property isolates the house from the noise of moving vehicles.
  • Putting in place acoustic zoning, which involves dividing populous areas from noise-producing areas like airports, train stations, and other industrial facilities. Silence zones should be established in hospitals, schools, and essential offices.
  • Safety gear like cotton plugs or ear muffs should be provided to employees working on noisy projects.
  • Noise pollution from air traffic can be reduced with the right insulation and noise introduction.
  • Airport takeoff and landing regulations.
  • Power tool use at night, loud music, land movers, loudspeaker use at public events, etc., should all be forbidden. It is forbidden to utilize appliances—such as horns, sirens, and refrigerators—excessively. Avoid using too many noisy, air-polluting firecrackers.
  • By planting a lot of trees to create buffer zones that are covered in flora and absorb noise.
  • It’s important to keep musical instrument noise within appropriate limits.

Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 govern each type of noise pollution. Prior to this, noise pollution and its causes were addressed by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981.

  • On February 14, 2000, the Union Government passed the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 in an effort to reduce the increasing ambient noise level coming from diverse sources in public areas. According to the authority granted to it by the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, this was done.
  • As stated in Rule 5 of the Noise Rules 2000, the use of loudspeakers and public address systems is restricted.
  • Rule 5 was altered in 2010 to forbid the use of sound-producing equipment. Before using this technology in any of these situations, written consent is necessary.
  • The District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, and any other person not below the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police are designated as the Noise Rules, 2000’s implementing authorities.
  • The State Government has the power to permit the use of loudspeakers on or during any annual religious or cultural celebration with a maximum duration of fifteen days. The hours between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. are not suitable for such recreation.

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Noise Pollution FAQs

What is noise pollution.

The presence of unwanted or excessive sound that has a negative impact on people, wildlife, and the environment is referred to as noise pollution.

What are the effects of noise pollution?

Millions of people suffer from the negative effects of noise pollution. Noise-related issues include illnesses linked to stress, high blood pressure, speech obscuration, hearing loss, disturbed sleep, and lost productivity.

What are the causes of noise pollution?

Traffic noise, air traffic noise, construction sites, restaurants and nightlife, and animals are some of the sources of noise pollution.

What are the types of noise pollution?

Basically, there are three types of noise pollution: transport noise, neighbourhood noise, atmospheric noise, and industrial noise.

What are acceptable noise pollution levels in India?

The allowable maximum in industrial zones is 75 dB during the day and 70 dB at night. During the day and at night, it is 65 dB and 55 dB in commercial zones, and 55 dB and 45 dB in residential regions.

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Essay on Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on pollution.

Pollution is a term which even kids are aware of these days. It has become so common that almost everyone acknowledges the fact that pollution is rising continuously. The term ‘pollution’ means the manifestation of any unsolicited foreign substance in something. When we talk about pollution on earth, we refer to the contamination that is happening of the natural resources by various pollutants . All this is mainly caused by human activities which harm the environment in ways more than one. Therefore, an urgent need has arisen to tackle this issue straightaway. That is to say, pollution is damaging our earth severely and we need to realize its effects and prevent this damage. In this essay on pollution, we will see what are the effects of pollution and how to reduce it.

essay on pollution

Effects of Pollution

Pollution affects the quality of life more than one can imagine. It works in mysterious ways, sometimes which cannot be seen by the naked eye. However, it is very much present in the environment. For instance, you might not be able to see the natural gases present in the air, but they are still there. Similarly, the pollutants which are messing up the air and increasing the levels of carbon dioxide is very dangerous for humans. Increased level of carbon dioxide will lead to global warming .

Further, the water is polluted in the name of industrial development, religious practices and more will cause a shortage of drinking water. Without water, human life is not possible. Moreover, the way waste is dumped on the land eventually ends up in the soil and turns toxic. If land pollution keeps on happening at this rate, we won’t have fertile soil to grow our crops on. Therefore, serious measures must be taken to reduce pollution to the core.

Get English Important Questions here

Types of Pollution

  • Air Pollution
  • Water Pollution
  • Soil Pollution

How to Reduce Pollution?

After learning the harmful effects of pollution, one must get on the task of preventing or reducing pollution as soon as possible. To reduce air pollution, people should take public transport or carpool to reduce vehicular smoke. While it may be hard, avoiding firecrackers at festivals and celebrations can also cut down on air and noise pollution. Above all, we must adopt the habit of recycling. All the used plastic ends up in the oceans and land, which pollutes them.

essay on noise pollution and its effects

So, remember to not dispose of them off after use, rather reuse them as long as you can. We must also encourage everyone to plant more trees which will absorb the harmful gases and make the air cleaner. When talking on a bigger level, the government must limit the usage of fertilizers to maintain the soil’s fertility. In addition, industries must be banned from dumping their waste into oceans and rivers, causing water pollution.

To sum it up, all types of pollution is hazardous and comes with grave consequences. Everyone must take a step towards change ranging from individuals to the industries. As tackling this problem calls for a joint effort, so we must join hands now. Moreover, the innocent lives of animals are being lost because of such human activities. So, all of us must take a stand and become a voice for the unheard in order to make this earth pollution-free.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

FAQs on Pollution

Q.1 What are the effects of pollution?

A.1 Pollution essentially affects the quality of human life. It degrades almost everything from the water we drink to the air we breathe. It damages the natural resources needed for a healthy life.

Q.2 How can one reduce pollution?

A.2 We must take individual steps to reduce pollution. People should decompose their waster mindfully, they should plant more trees. Further, one must always recycle what they can and make the earth greener.

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  • Pollution and Its Effects Essay

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Essay on Pollution and Its Effects

The term pollution is ubiquitous these days, even among children. The fact that pollution is rising continuously has become so prevalent that almost everyone acknowledges it. In pollution, we mean a substance that has been introduced uninvited into something. Various pollutants are contaminating the earth's natural resources when we talk about pollution. These effects are mainly caused by human activities that harm the environment in a number of ways. As a result, it is vital that this problem is addressed immediately. We need to recognize the effects of pollution and prevent its harm to our earth, which means we need to prevent these devastating effects. Here, we will look at what pollution is, how it occurs, and what we can do about it.

The Effects of Pollution

It is impossible to imagine how much pollution affects one's quality of life. The process occurs in mysterious ways, sometimes unobservable to the naked eye. Despite its enigmatic nature, it is profoundly present in the surrounding environment. Natural gases are present in the air even though you may not see them. Similar to the pollutants that are polluting the air and increasing carbon dioxide levels, pollutants pose a great threat to humans. Global warming is a consequence of increasing levels of carbon dioxide.

Additionally, the water will be polluted due to industrial development, religious practices and other practices leading to a shortage of drinking water. The need for water is essential to our existence. A waste dump that ends up in the soil eventually becomes toxic because of the way it is disposed of. In the future, we will no longer have fertile soil to grow crops on if the rate of land pollution continues. We must take immediate steps to reduce the level of land pollution.

What are the Best Ways to Reduce Pollution?

It is important to take action as soon as possible to prevent or reduce pollution after learning of the harmful effects of pollution. Taking public transportation or carpooling reduces vehicle emissions, hence reducing air pollution. Aside from reducing air and noise pollution, avoiding firecrackers at festivals and celebrations may also reduce air pollution. Recycling is essential to reducing air pollution in general. It pollutes the oceans and land when used plastic ends up in them.

After using these utensils, be sure to reuse them as long as you can, rather than throw them away after using them. As well as encouraging everyone to plant more trees, which absorb harmful gases and clean the air, we need to encourage everyone to plant more trees. At a national level, the government should limit fertilizer use to ensure the nutrient content of the soil. Further, pollution of oceans and rivers must be dealt with by preventing industries from dumping their waste into them.

The bottom line is that all pollutant types are hazardous and have serious consequences. Whether it is a personal initiative or an industry-wide initiative, everyone must take steps to change. It is necessary to join forces now since solving this problem will require a collective effort. Additionally, such human actions are causing the deaths of innocent animals. We must all take a stand and speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves in order to protect this planet from pollution. 

Short Essay 

The pollution problem in the world today is one of the most disturbing. We will talk about the extent of these effects and their harmful effects in this short paper on pollution and its effects in English. In this essay on pollution and its effects, the author aims to eradicate pollution from the earth. In this essay on pollution and its causes, we will discuss our responsibilities as citizens. The next generation has to learn how to fight pollution with proper equipment while reducing waste. 

Planting trees and taking care of our environment will help us prevent pollution levels from rising. The oil spills in the sea can be checked, and industrial wastes dumping into the water can be stopped to prevent pollution of the marine environment. To combat pollution and how serious its effects can be, we should not only take steps but also teach our children to do the same. 

Types of Pollution

  Air Pollution

Water Pollution

   Soil Pollution

The following paragraph provides some information about the effects of pollution on the environment which can help us to take measures against it to protect life on earth for future generations. In order to eradicate pollution and make the world a greener place, we must all take these steps. 

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FAQs on Pollution and Its Effects Essay

1. What are the impacts of Air Pollution?

Elevated levels of air contamination can cause an expanded danger of coronary failure, wheezing, hacking, and breathing issues, and bothering of the eyes, nose, and throat. Air contamination can likewise cause declining in existing heart issues, asthma, and other lung confusions. Like people, creatures can experience the ill effects of various medical conditions because of air contamination, including birth abandons, regenerative disappointment, and illnesses. Corrosive downpour contains significant levels of nitric and sulfuric acids that are made by oxides and sulfur oxides delivered into the air by the consumption of non-renewable energy sources.

2. What are the effects of Water Pollution?

The impacts of water contamination rely upon which synthetics are being unloaded where. Waterways that are close to urbanized zones will, in general, be vigorously dirtied by dumbing of trash and synthetic compounds, both lawfully and illicitly, by modern plants, wellbeing focuses, and people. By a long shot, the greatest outcome of water contamination is the demise of amphibian animals, which can upset the whole natural way of life. Poisons, for example, cadmium, mercury, and lead are eaten by little oceanic life forms that are then eaten by fish and shellfish, getting more thought with each progression up the natural pecking order and causing major issues in people and untamed life. 

3. What are the effects of pollution?

Humans are affected by pollution on a daily basis. The air we breathe and almost every form of water we drink is degraded by it. Environmental degradation contributes to illness.

4. What can be done to reduce pollution?

To reduce pollution, each of us must take action. They should plant more trees, and they should decompose their waste more mindfully. Furthermore, it is a good idea to recycle where possible and make the environment cleaner.

5. How does water pollution affect us?

Depending on the type of synthetics being dumped where water contamination impacts are different. Those waterways near urbanized zones will, in general, be heavily polluted by humans, modern plants, and wellbeing centers, as well as by trash dumps and synthetic compounds lawfully and illegally. Water contamination is one of the major causes of amphibian demise, which affects natural ecosystems in a profound way. As the natural pecking order advances, poisons like mercury, cadmium, and lead get more and more concentrated as they are eaten by marine life, causing major health problems for people and the environment.

6. What is the importance of pollution prevention?

In addition to protecting the environment by conserving and protecting natural resources, pollution prevention improves economic growth by spreading more efficient production among industries and by reducing waste management requirements for households, businesses, and communities.

Noise Pollution Essay

Introduction.

Do you get irritated when someone honks their car horn while waiting for the traffic signal to turn green? Will you be able to concentrate on your work/studies when heavy construction is taking place near your house and the drilling sound deafens you? These are some of the instances of noise pollution, and we will be discussing more in this noise pollution essay.

Noise Pollution Essay

Causes of Noise Pollution

There are various factors that cause noise pollution in the environment, and we will understand them through this short essay on noise pollution. We know that technology has eased the life of humans through grinders, compressors, televisions, generators etc., but we are not aware that this same technology is ruining our health. Along with these machines, there are also cars, bikes, buses, trains and aeroplanes that produce a large amount of noise. We will see how this creates pollution through this noise pollution essay.

People unnecessarily use horns, and the long siren disturbs other people. Besides, people play music at a loud volume while travelling in cars or buses. Due to this, we put others in an inconvenient position. It is only required to think of the commotion that happens during weddings and other festivals and how it causes a nuisance to those residing nearby to understand the seriousness of the matter. The noise pollution essay in English is, therefore, an attempt to throw light on this issue.

Ways to Reduce Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is a serious concern, and hence, we must try to prevent it. But before we see how it can be controlled, we will see its effect on us in this short essay on noise pollution. Noise pollution causes hearing problems if we get exposed to a high volume of sounds continuously. It also has the potential to damage our eardrums, resulting in permanent loss of hearing.

Moreover, it disturbs our state of mind, and we might experience stress, tension, loss of sleep etc., thus affecting our psychological health. All these reasons point out that noise pollution can be dangerous and we must follow certain measures to prevent it.

First of all, we must be responsible for not honking unnecessarily. If strict actions are taken against the violators of this rule, we can reduce noise pollution to some extent. Besides, installing soundproof walls and windows in houses, buildings and flyovers can also help in bringing down the noise level.

Planting trees is another effective measure as we can reduce the noise from travelling from one place to another. So, children can write an essay on noise pollution 150 words by taking important points from the noise pollution essay in English and thus creating awareness regarding the issue. For more interesting essays , you can refer to our website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Noise Pollution Essay

What are the effects of noise pollution.

Noise pollution creates many health issues in humans and affects their hearing ability. Hypertension, stress, irregular sleep patterns and irritation are its other effects. Noise pollution also harms wildlife and marine life as it impairs their listening abilities.

How to reduce noise pollution?

People can wear earplugs or earmuffs while working in factories that produce a high level of noise daily. Car horns must not be used needlessly and playing loud music on public transport should be banned. Planting more trees can also reduce noise pollution to some extent, as vegetation helps in the reduction of sound intensity.

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  2. Essay on Noise Pollution for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay on Noise Pollution. Essay on Noise Pollution: Noise pollution is a form of pollution which has become very deadly nowadays. This pollution is increasing only and creates an unsafe environment. Noise pollution is when the level of noise increases more than the normal level. When the amount of noise exceeds, it becomes dangerous ...

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