Contents

Noise Pollution Definition

Man-Made Noise | Environmental Noise |
Noise generated by man-made activities is referred to as this. Construction activity, aircraft noise, vehicular traffic, domestic noise, and noise from pubs and bars are only a few examples. This kind of noise, which can range from 30 to 140 decibels, is particularly dangerous to humans. | The term “environmental noise” relates to the noise generated by a variety of environmental activities. This will include everything from animal mating calls to thunderstorms that can reach 140 decibels (more about environmental noise on eea.europa.eu). |
How Common Is Noise Pollution?

Effects of Noise Pollution
1. Health Effects And Diseases
Hypertension
Hearing Loss
Video: Noise health effects. Beyond annoyance
2. Psychological Effects
Sleep Loss
Cognitive Issues
Child Growth And Development
Video: 5 Tips for Better Sleep in a Noisy Environment by Audimute
3. Effects On Wildlife And Marine Life
Wildlife Effects
Marine Life Effects
Video: How noise pollution threatens ocean life | The Economist
4. Social And Economic Effects
Video: Why Noise Pollution Is More Dangerous Than We Think | The Backstory | The New Yorker
Noise Control
1. Be aware of your noise | You should be able to tell when something is too loud. Jet motors, lawnmowers, trucks, chainsaws, powerboats, and personal stereos are only a few of the sounds that can inflict harm (those over 80 decibels). The noise is probably in this category if you have to raise your voice to yell over it to be heard by someone within an arm’s reach. |
2. Control your own noise | Consider how your own actions could be adding to the issue and how you can minimize noise emissions by making minor adjustments: Idle your engine, use rugs and carpeting in your flat, and look for power tools and appliances that produce less noise. Other suggestions from the National Library of Medicine include shutting off the music or the television while not in use and planting trees to create noise barriers. |
3. Wear hearing protective devices (HPDs) | Wear hearing protective devices (HPDs) such as earplugs or earmuffs while doing loud work or outdoor sports. Bear in mind that by statute, HPDs must be labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) based on performance achieved under optimal laboratory conditions, so take that into consideration when shopping. Firearms produce one of the loudest and most dangerous sounds on the planet. |
4. Improve noise insulation | Insulation is one of the most popular and practical ways to minimize noise pollution in the household. It is a soundproofing technique that aids in the reduction of sound waves and noise. Installing soundproofing materials on the walls, ceiling, and even the floor improves insulation. |
5. Have a dedicated quiet place | Having a designated quiet room can be beneficial if you choose to get away from distractions that make you feel uneasy and degrade your quality of life. Soundproofing can be as high as 100 percent in quiet rooms. |
6. Plant trees | Trees have been seen to be beneficial in lowering noise levels in urban areas, along major highways, and in households. As a result, having a large number of plants and trees in a given area means fewer noise emissions. Furthermore, trees have a variety of aesthetic benefits as well as improved air quality. |
7. Create awareness and advocacy against noise pollution | Growing public understanding of noise pollution and its impacts on humans and wildlife will help minimize noise pollution. If the majority of people are conscious that noise emissions can cause hearing loss and mental stress, they are more likely to engage in noise pollution reduction measures. |
Video: Noise Pollution and its Control
Legal Status And Regulation
Clean Air Act Title IV – Noise Pollution | The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (official website) introduced a new title IV, Acid Deposition Control, without replacing the previous title IV, Noise Emission Control. The original title IV (noise pollution) is designated as subchapter IV, while the current title IV (acid deposition control) is designated as subchapter IV-A in the United States Code. |
Noise Control Act of 1972 | The Noise Control Act of 1972 (official website) creates a federal policy to ensure that all Americans live in an atmosphere free of noise that is harmful to their health and safety. The Act, therefore, accomplishes the following goals: 1. establish a means for effective coordination of Federal research and activities in noise control Although state and local municipalities bear primary responsibility for noise reduction, federal legislation is required to address large noise sources in commerce, which require nationwide uniformity of treatment. Congress also mandated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (official website) oversee the noise research and management activities of all federal agencies. |
The Role EPA | The EPA administrator created the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) (official website) under the Clean Air Act to conduct noise investigations and analyses and their effect on public health and welfare. The EPA coordinated all Federal noise reduction efforts through ONAC, but the Administration decided in 1981 that noise matters could be addressed at the state and local level. As a result, ONAC was closed down, and state and municipal municipalities were given primary responsibility for dealing with noise problems. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds the power to investigate and research noise and its effects, as well as to disseminate information to the public on noise emissions and their negative health effects, In accordance with the Noise Control Act of 1972 and the Quiet Communities Act of 1978. |
FAQ
What are the 3 main causes of noise pollution?
There are many sources of noise pollution, but these are three of the most common. The first is road-noise, which accounts for the majority of polluting noise in cities. A car horn, for example, emits 90 decibels, while a bus emits 100 decibels. The next source of noise is air traffic. While there are fewer planes flying over towns than there are vehicles on the street, the effect is greater: a single plane emits 130 decibels.
The last is construction noise, construction of buildings and parking lots, as well as surface and pavement resurfacing, is extremely disruptive. A pneumatic drill, for example, emits 110 decibels.
How can we avoid noise pollution?
You can minimize noise pollution by shutting off devices while not in use, using earplugs, turning down the sound, planting more trees, and maintaining cars and machinery on a regular basis, among other things. You can reduce the detrimental health impacts that noise pollution has on all by controlling noise, which we mentioned earlier.
What are the 5 types of pollution?
Any matter that has a negative effect on the atmosphere or the animals that exist in it is referred to as “pollution.” Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, light pollution, and noise pollution are the five main types of pollution.
How do trees reduce noise pollution?
Sound attenuation, or the damping of sound, is a phenomenon that trees use to act as noise buffers and mitigate the pollution. Noise is reduced by absorption, deflection, refraction, and masking in trees. Noise absorption by plants, sound waves are absorbed by tree sections such as roots, leaves, branches, and timber.