Noise Pollution
By: Dane Ahrens
What is noise pollution? What effects can it have?
"noise pollution takes place when there is either excessive amount of noise or an unpleasant sound that causes temporary disruption in the natural balance. This definition is usually applicable to sounds or noises that are unnatural in either their volume or their production."(Conserve Energy Future) Noise pollution is one of the most common ways to get a hearing loss.Hearing loss is irreversible which means when you loose some of your hearing you can never get it back. If you do get hearing loss then most people will get hearing aids to help them hear better but hearing aids will not fix your hearing. "The agency estimated that more than 900,000 cases of hypertension could be traced to noise. All of our human racket causes up to 10,000 premature deaths in Europe annually, the report said. Better urban planning and using different types of car tires could help reduce the effects of noise pollution."(Earth Island Journal Spring 2015). Scientists have related noise pollution to many harmful diseases. Noise pollution can not only hurt your hearing but can also effect the way you think and feel which can lead to drug addictions or behaviors related harmful diseases like smoking or drinking.
What causes noise pollution and how can we stop it?
Noise pollution is any sound that is over 80 decibels. anything over 80 decibels is actively hurting your ears which is why it is so important to not be exposed to too much noise pollution. "Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing large amount of noise. Apart from that, various equipment like compressors, generators, exhaust fans, grinding mills also participate in producing big noise. Therefore, you must have seen workers in these factories and industries wearing ear plugs to minimize the effect of noise."(Conserve Energy Future). It is very important to were something like earplugs when around very loud noise for long periods of time or else you could get permanent hearing loss."The number one cause of noise pollution in Europe is road traffic. Railroads, industrial sites, and airports also add to the problem. Noise pollution is a major environmental health problem in Europe," the EEA report said, and warned that the "European sounds cape" is under threat."(Earth Island Journal 2015). Noise pollution is going on all around us and we don't even realize it. A good way to prevent hearing loss is wear things like ear plugs when around noisy things like trains our even when riding on a mechanical lawn mower.