Effects of Environmental Noise Pollution

Noise is an environmental contaminant along with radiation and organic and inorganic chemicals

such as heavy metals and pesticides. Defined as a source that emits noise high enough to impact a
significant number of people, environment noise (or sound) is a non-ionized form of acousitcal
radiation. Ionized radiation is emitted by radioactive substances, while non-ionized radiation comes
from radio waves, microwaves, and low frequency electromagnetic waves (Health Canada, p. 75).
Sources of Environmental Noise Pollution
The main sources of environmental noise pollution are air conditioners and industrial equipment;
noise from industry, construction, and demolition; noise generated by human activity such as lawn
mowers or leaf blowers, loud music, barking dogs, children playing, and outdoor events such as
concerts or festivals.
Another significant source of environmental noise pollution is transportation-related, with buses,
trains, cars, motorcycles, trucks, and emergency vehicle sirens being the most significant cause of
noise in urban areas. Airplanes, too, can affect a smaller, local community and emit significant noise
on a regular basis. Most communities have federal and local regulations determining when certain
noise producing activities can occur, but many noise sources are uncontrolled and unregulated and
may occur at any time, day or night.
Health Effects of Environmental Noise Pollution
The occupational hazard of noise has long been recognized by employers, and workers are now
protected from the impact of noise with specialized noise reduction equipment. However, the
general public remains largely unprotected and left to endure a cacophony of sounds, often for
prolonged periods. One of the obvious and measurable effects of noise pollution is hearing loss.
While each individual is different in their tolerance to noise, length of exposure and decibel level,
temporary or permanent hearing loss can occur.
However, a more difficult to measure, but increasingly significant health hazard, is the stress and
agitation that may occur from exposure to loud noise. Persistent noise can increase stress levels,
which in turn, can result in high blood pressure, an important health concern. Known as the "silent
killer" because there are few obvious symptoms, it can result in serious health problems requiring
medical assessment and intervention.
Sleep disruption is another common effect of loud and/or persistent noise. Lack of sleep or a
disruption of the natural sleep cycle can result in poor concentration and performance, weight
changes, and a general decrease in health and overall well being. The combination of stress and lack
of sleep can also lead to frustration and aggravation. The social consequences include becoming
short-tempered or potentially aggressive resulting in more accidents, poor familial and social
relationships, and poor work performance.

Prevention and Protection against

Environmental Noise Pollution
The most effective prevention against the
health effects of environmental noise pollution
is to reduce noise at the source. This is the
responsibility of the engineers and designers of
buildings. While individuals often feel they have
no say over this stage of the process, they can
lobby the industry or local planning
departments to ensure noise reduction
construction practices are in place. These may
include noise reduction materials used in the
actual structure and that noise reducing barriers are erected during the build to combat the impact
on the receiver of the noise.
Sound reducing barriers such as walls and fences may help reduce exposure to noise in urban areas.
According to Health Canada's report on environmental contaminants, "for a barrier to be effective, it
should be high enough to intercept the line of sight from the source to the receiver" (p. 77). While
high fences do not make great neighbours, if noise pollution is affecting an individual's health, they
may offer a viable solution.
Devices to protect individual hearing are also available in the form of ear plugs, muffs, or head
phones. Unfortunately, people who use personal listening devices, such as iPods, as a barrier to
environmental noise often place themselves at high risk for hearing loss through persistent exposure
to loud music.

Ultimately, it is everyone's responsibility to help reduce noise pollution by purchasing quieter

household appliances, yard equipment, and vehicles; and to become aware of the affects of noise
pollution on the health and well being of individuals and community members.
Source:
Canada.gc.ca, "The Health and Environment Handbook for Health Professionals: Health and
Environment" (accessed June 21, 2010).
http://suite101.com/effects-of-environmental-noise-pollution-a251799