Noise, a Pollutant?

Noise is something people are exposed to everyday but whoever knew that it was actually a form of pollution? It is one that is least understood and one that can affect our health and the environment the same way that other pollutants can. Researchers found out that people who are exposed to loud noises can develop fatigue, loss of concentration, and even high blood pressure. This does not only affect people that are exposed during the daytime but also people exposed at night when they are sleeping. This has been proven through research at a textile industry, where workers, who were exposed to noise levels of 102 to 114 decibels, began to develop problems such as mental fatigue. But the tolerance for noise is different for different people and cultures. Some countries already have policies limiting noise such as New South Wales in Australia. And also Hong Kong and Japan, which has the best noise policies in Asia. Europe also has noise policies, and along with that investments in things such as noise barriers and low-noise tires. In the United States, there are a lower number of noise policies. One reason is because U.S. workers are already protected enough in the work they do. But the U.S. is still trying to improve its noise policies. Local authorities have even been trying to create their own plans to reduce noise. Not only that but the U.S. National Academy of Engineering is writing about noise issues and also making recommendations for the future.

This article involves pollutants, which relates it to biology. Also this article is related to biology because it involves health. Noise can affect the environment we live and work in which could affect our health if we are exposed to it for a long time. Health problems that can erupt from long exposure to loud noises are high blood pressure and even premature death.

We should care about this because many people are exposed to loud noises everyday especially in urban areas where it can be heard throughout the night too. Learning about this makes us more aware of the environment we live in and hopefully we can do things to keep noise levels down especially at night. And possibly decrease the chances of getting some of the long-term damages created by loud noises.

Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/business/energy-environment/16iht-green.html?pagewanted=1&ref=science