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Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal, or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. The word noise may be from the Latin word nauseas, metaphorically meaning disgust or discomfort.[1] The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly construction and transportation systems, including motor vehicle noise, aircraft noise,and rail noise.[2][3] Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential area.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a rise in blood pressure, and an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased incidence of coronary artery disease. In animals,noise can increase the risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and navigation, and contribute to permanent hearing loss.
Human health
Noise health effects describe problems in both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can damage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can cause annoyance and aggression,hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.[4][5][6][7] Furthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading causes to health problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times panic attacks.[5][8]
Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males exposed to significant occupational noisedemonstrate significantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers, though differences in hearing sensitivity decrease with time and the two groups are indistinguishable by age 79.[9] A comparison of Maaban tribesmen, who were insignificantly exposed to transportation or industrial noise, to a typical U.S. population showed that chronic exposure to moderately high levels ofenvironmental noise contributes to hearing loss.[4]
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to moderately high levels during a single eight hour period causes a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to ten points and an increase in stress[4] and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressure noted above as well as to increased incidence of coronary arterydisease (fran)
Noise pollution is also a cause of annoyance. A 2005 study by Spanish researchers found that in urban areas households are willing to pay approximately four Euros per decibel per year for noise reduction.[10]
[edit]Wildlife health
Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals, increasing the risk of death by changing the delicate balance in predator or prey detection andavoidance, and interfering the use of the sounds in communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.[11]
An impact of noise on animal life is the reduction of usable habitat that noisy areas may cause, which in the case of endangered species may be part of the path to extinction. Noise pollution has causedthe death of certain species of whales that beached themselves after being exposed to the loud sound of military sonar[12] (see also Marine mammals and sonar).
Noise also makes species communicate louder, which is called Lombard vocal response.[13] Scientists and researchers have conducted experiments that show whales' song length is longer when submarine-detectors are on.[14] If creatures do not"speak" loud enough, their voice will be masked by anthropogenic sounds. These unheard voices might be warnings, finding of prey, or preparations of net-bubbling. When one species begins speaking louder, it will mask other species' voice, causing the whole ecosystem to eventually speak louder.
European Robins living in urban environments are more likely to sing at night in places with high...