What is Noise Pollution?

Noise pollution is defined as unwanted sounds that disrupt normal

sound in the environment. Noise pollution often emanates from
railroads, road traffic, aircraft, loud music, construction sites, and
industrial activities. Nevertheless, the definition of noise is subjective
as it varies from one individual to another. In the majority of cases,
individual response to noise is influenced by loudness, time pattern,
and frequency.
Other factors include the nature of the activity that produces the noise
and the level of background sound before the introduction of another
louder sound frequency. Noise is the only form of pollution that is
ever-present but rarely noticed despite its adverse effects. It can lead
to loss of memory, deafness or in some cases psychiatric disorders.
Sensitivity to different sound frequencies is measured using the A-
weighted decibel scale (dBA).

Trump OKs oil drilling in Alaska wildlife refuge

 

Save

Noise Pollution is a relative thing. In a city, it’s a jet plane taking

off. In a monastery, it’s a pen that scratches.

~ Robert Orben
The acceptable amount of sound level is about 60 to 65 dBs, which
equals to that of a normal conversation. Sound levels higher than 85
dBs are harmful depending on the duration of exposure and if one has
hearing protection or not. Noise above 140 dBA can cause permanent
hearing loss. Here are the various sources of noise pollution and tips
for prevention.
Contents [show]

Various Sources of Noise Pollution

The sources of noise pollution are classified into two broad categories:
Internal and external sources of noise pollution.

1. External sources of pollution

These are the major sources of noise pollution in the
environment. They are sources that are extremely difficult to control.
They include.
 Industrial sources. The industrialization has resulted in the rise
of noise pollution. The industries include textile mills, engineering
 plants, printing presses, and metal industries. Most industries
use heavy machines capable of producing very high levels of
noise. They have equipment such as compressors, exhaust fans,
grinding mills, and generators which increase the overall noise
levels in the environment. Workers in these environments are in
great health risks in case they do not take proper measures like
wearing earplugs to minimize the effect of the noise.
 Vehicles for transportation. The automobile revolution has
turned out to be a big source of environmental noise in urban
regions. In the modern age, there is an increase in traffic due to
the growth in the number of vehicles such as buses, trains, and
trucks. People caught in traffic jams are also often impatient and
will continuously hoot their horns in an attempt to alert the driver
in front of them to move. These acts produce unbearable noise
to the people living in the neighboring areas, the commuters or
passersby, and the environment as a whole. Airplanes also
increase the problem of noise in major urban cities. Most airports
are located near residential areas and for this reason, the jet-
planes taking off and landing in such areas normally produce
high sound levels.
 Poor urban planning. Developing nations habitually lack
proper urban planning that leads to congested housing, small
spaces, small industry proliferation, and lack of enough parking
areas. Poor urban planning thus contributes to environmental
noise through fights or social and basic amenities, noise from
small manufacturing industries, wrangles over parking space,
family quarrels from the neighboring houses, and noise from
playing children.
 Public address systems. Public functions such as rallies,
strikes, elections, religious and secular events use addressing
systems that are very loud. The organizers of such events
normally flout the rules set against public noise pollution by the
state. Loud noise from public address systems and music
systems during social events such as parties and religious
crusades are another source of noise pollution. Open markets
also often produce high levels of noise pollution due to the
activities of buying and selling, and the use of loudspeakers and
megaphones in advertising merchandise or services.
 Agriculture machines. Noise level of as high as 90 dB to 98 dB
has been recorded in some farms using heavy types of
machinery and equipment. These equipment include thrashers,
tube wells, tractors, drillers, powered tillers, and harvesters.
 Military equipment. Artillery tanks, rocket launching, military
airplanes drills, explosions, and shooting practice are serious
noise polluters. Deafening impacts are produced by the sounds
 of jet engines and in extreme cases, they cause the shattering of
window panes and cracking of old dilapidates buildings located
near their take-off and landing areas or when they fly past such
structures.
READ  What is Air Quality, How it Gets Degraded and Ways to Improve it

2. Indoor sources of noise

They are noises associated with human activities within a household
or building. They also occur due to operations of building services and
office services.

 Inside building services. Construction works, workshops and

automobile repairs cause noise pollution. The equipment used in
such jobs produces a lot of noise that causes nuisance and may
hamper hearing ability.
 Household activities. These are activities such as the loud
banging of doors, noises from playing children, furniture
movement, crying infants, loud arguments. Many households
also own entertainment equipment such as Hi-Fi Systems,
Television sets, and loudspeakers that may further contribute to
the overall noise emanating from indoor household activities.
Household equipment like pressure cookers, vacuum cleaners,
washing machines, sewing machines, mix-grinders, desert
coolers, exhaust fans, and air-conditioners equally produce a lot
of noise.
 Office equipment. In offices, there are printers, photocopiers,
and typewriters among other equipment that contribute to noise
pollution in the working places and its environs.
Tips for Prevention of Noise Pollution
1. Standard laws by different organizations
Transport sector noise control, proper urban planning and use of
zoning codes, roadway noise control, noise-reducing architecture
designs, and aircraft noise reduction are some of the noise mitigation
measures that can be employed to curb noise pollution. To implement
them, there are various guidelines or rather standard
recommendations of allowed noise levels including:
 Occupational Safety and Health policies. These policies
impose administrative and engineering controls in the workplace
in cases where the workers are exposed to levels of noise which
are above 90-dBA for a period of eight-hour time-weighted
averages (TWA). It also recommends that Impulse and impact
noise control measures to be put in place where the noise is past
 140 dB. It has been applied in various sectors around the world
including manufacturing industries, office spaces, construction
sites, railroads, and airports. The measures include controlling
impact and impulse of noise.
 Other organizations. They include Mine, Safety, and Health
Organizations. Different countries have their own policies and
regulations on noise pollution that are in line with international
noise pollution policies in the mining, processing, and power
production plants.
READ  How To Reduce Air Pollution at the Construction Site?

2. Tips to control noise pollution

Some of the tips that can assist in controlling noise pollution include

 Use of earplugs. One of the cost-effective tips for

reducing noise pollution is wearing earplugs. They can be worn
in working places and while sleeping to reduce the amount of
noise from the surrounding environment. They have health
benefits such as healthy sleeping habits and prevent damage to
the eardrum.
 Soundproofing. Industrial plants that produce a lot of noise from
their machinery can use soundproof materials to reduce high
sound frequencies. At home, one can install soundproofing
materials that block the noise and associated vibrations. Double-
pane windows, for example, can be an impressive method
for preventing noise pollution.
 Closing the windows. To prevent unwanted noise from entering
into the house and buildings, one can simply close the windows
and open them when it is quite.
 Jarring horns. To reduce the noise that is associated with
continuous hoots in traffic, vehicles can install horns that have
jarring sounds. In cases where the exhaust pipes are damaged,
they should be repaired and noisy trucks banned.
 Law enforcement. The state and local governments should
have proper laws that prevent noise pollution near residential
areas. They can give authority to community law enforcers who
will have the mandate of checking noise polluters. An example is
whereby laws are enforced such that industries or noise-
producing businesses are set up and operated away from
schools, colleges, hospitals, and residential areas.
 Noise-canceling headphones. They can be used by workers to
reduce noise pollution in industrial and construction workers.
 They filter any unwanted noise and prevent it from reaching the
ears.
 Use of barriers or go green by planting trees. A simple way of
reducing the vibrations and strong sound waves is through the
use of barriers such as fences and planting trees around the
house. These barriers would absorb the waves and reduce
environmental noise significantly.
 Lubrication and better maintenance of machines. When the
moving parts of machines and engines are well maintained and
lubricated, it not only improves efficiency but also aids in
reducing noise. The reason is that lubrication and proper
maintenance reduces friction between moving parts.
 The use of creativity in house and office layout. Being
innovative in the placement of equipment can significantly help in
reducing noise pollution. Noisy house appliances and office
equipment can be placed at the far ends of the house or office,
therefore, reducing the levels of noise that reaches resting or
working areas.