Various Causes of Noise Pollution
1. Industrialization
Many companies use large machines that are capable of producing a huge amount of noise. In addition, various devices such as compressors, engines, exhaust fans, grinding mills are also involved in the production of large-scale noise. Therefore, you must have seen workers wearing earplugs in these factories and industries to minimize the impact of noise.
2. Poor Urban Planning
Poor urban planning also plays a vital role in most developing countries. Congested homes, large families sharing small spaces, fighting for parking, constant battles over basic amenities lead to noise pollution that could damage the atmosphere of society.
3. Social Events
Noise is at its height in most social events. Whether it is a marriage, a wedding, a pub, a disk or a place of worship, people usually flout the rules laid down by the local administration and cause nuisance in the city. People play songs in full volume and dance until midnight, making the condition of people living nearby much worse. In markets, you can see people selling clothing by making a loud noise that attracts people's attention.
4. Transportation
A large number of vehicles on the roads, planes flying over the houses, underground trains produce a lot of noise, and it's hard for people to get used to it. The high noise leads to a situation wherein a normal person loses the ability to hear properly.
5. Construction Activities
Construction activities such as mining, construction of bridges, dams, buildings, stations, roads and overflows are taking place in almost every part of the world. These construction activities take place every day as we need more buildings, bridges to accommodate more people and to reduce traffic congestion. The down point is that these construction equipment are too noisy.
6. Household Chores
We people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily life. Gadgets like TV, mobile, mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners, washing machine and dryer, cooler, air conditioners are minor contributors to the amount of noise that is produced but it affects the quality of life of your neighborhood in a bad way.
While this form of pollution may seem harmless, it, in fact, has far-reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife affected by pollution but humans also face a number of problems due to it.
Effects of Noise Pollution
1. Hearing Problems
Some unexpected sound that our ears have not been programmed to absorb may cause problems within the body. Our ears can take on a variety of sounds without being harmed. Man-made noises such as jackhammers, horns, machinery, airplanes and even vehicles can be too loud for our hearing range. Constant exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our eardrums and loss of hearing. It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.
2. Health Issues
Excessive noise pollution in working areas such as offices, construction sites, bars and even in our homes can influence psychological health. Studies show that the occurrence of aggressive behavior, disturbance of sleep, constant stress, fatigue, and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. These, in turn, can cause more severe and chronic health issues later in life.
3. Sleeping Disorders
Loud noise can certainly hamper your sleeping pattern and may lead to irritation and uncomfortable situations. Without a good night sleep, it may lead to problems related to fatigue and your performance may go down in the office as well as at home. It is therefore recommended to take a sound sleep to give your body proper rest.
4. Cardiovascular Issues
Blood pressure levels, cardiovascular disease, and stress-related heart problems are on the rise. Studies suggest that high-intensity noise causes high blood pressure and increases heartbeat rate as it disrupts the normal blood flow. Bringing them to a manageable level depends on our understanding of noise pollution and how we tackle it.
5. Trouble Communicating
High decibel noise can put trouble and may not allow two people to communicate freely. This may lead to misunderstanding and you may get difficult understanding the other person. Constant sharp noise can give you a severe headache and disturb your emotional balance.