Noise Pollution: Definition, Causes, Effects & Control Measures

Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution: Noise is an unwanted, unpleasant, annoying sound produced by the vibration of matter. The power of sound is usually measured in decibels (dB). Decibel is the standard for the measurement of sound. A sound which is above 85 decibels or higher is considered to be noise. Some of its major causes are vehicles, aircraft, industrial machines, loudspeakers, crackers, loud music etc. Even when used at high volumes, some other appliances also contribute to noise pollution, like television, transistor, radio, etc. Noise pollution is an unwanted or excessive sound that can have deleterious effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality.

Causes of Noise Pollution

Some of the causes of noise pollution are-

Road Traffic Noises
The sound produced by Aircraft
Noise at construction sites
Industrial Noise
Noise-caused Public events/ Loudspeakers
Events

Effects of Noise Pollution

The adverse health effects of noise pollution are:

Hearing Loss	If a person is exposed to a high amount of excessive noise, then he may be affected temporarily and permanently. Noise-induced temporary threshold shift (NITTS) and Noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) are the hearing effect of excessive noise.
Interference with Communication	If both noise and speech communication is happening at the same time then one of the two sounds becomes inaudible.
Disturbance of Sleep	Noise intrusion can even cause difficulty in falling asleep and can awaken people who are asleep, especially young infants, older people, etc.
Annoyance	Excessive noise can even cause annoyance or displeasure.
Effect on Performance	Noise can even affect the alertness of a person and affects the efficiency of the people. Mental stabilities even get disturbed because of noise pollution.
Physiological Effects	Noise pollution can effects the heart rate of the person, Increased blood pressure, Vasoconstriction etc.
Stress	Noise Pollution cause stress in a number of ways, including headaches, irritability, insomnia, digestive disorders, and psychological disorders.

Control Mesures to Reduce Noise Pollution

Below are a few things people, communities, and the government can follows to reduce noise pollution:

Construction of Soundproof room.
Use of horns with jarring sounds, motorbikes with damaged exhaust pipes, and noisy trucks to be banned.
Noise-producing industries, airports, bus and transport terminals and railway stations are to be sighted far from living places.
Vegetation trees should be constructed along the roads and in residential areas is a good way to reduce noise pollution.

Related Links-
Types of Pollution	Air Pollution
Soil Pollution	Water Pollution

Noise Pollution- FAQs

Ans. Noise pollution is an unwanted or excessive sound that can have deleterious effects on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality.

Ans. Some of the causes of noise pollution are- Road Traffic Noises, The sound produced by Aircraft Noise at construction sites, Industrial Noise, Noise-caused Public events/ Loudspeakers, Events.

Ans. The adverse health effects of noise pollution are: Hearing Loss, Interference with Communication, Disturbance of Sleep, Annoyance, Effect on Performance, Physiological Effects, Stress.

Ans. Below are a few things people, communities, and the government can follows to reduce noise pollution: Construction of Soundproof room, Use of horns with jarring sounds, motorbikes with damaged exhaust pipes, and noisy trucks to be banned. Noise-producing industries, airports, bus and transport terminals and railway stations are to be sighted far from living places, Vegetation trees should be constructed along the roads and in residential areas is a good way to reduce noise pollution.

Ans. Types of noise pollution are: Transport Noise, Neighborhood Noise and Industrial Noise.