Health : Effects of noise pollution on health

I was reading a very interesting scientific article, which stated that men who work in noisy places have a greater chance of developing myocardial infarction. Today in urban city life one is exposed to so much noise. As cities are developing, so is the level of noise pollution increasing. Sounds from traffic, various kinds of machines, electronic devices, human conversations and interaction and all, sums up to make a noise which becomes difficult to comprehend. Beeps and ring tones of mobile phones have become a new source of noise everywhere. You can imagine yourselves traveling in a public transport, tired after a day’s work. Now the driver puts on the radio at full volume, there are other passengers talking loudly, some yelling on phones, you start feeling irritated and exhausted. This happens because of the effect of noise. It is not only the annoyance caused, noise itself also generates more noise. When there is much noise around, a person has to talk in a louder voice to communicate with another person, which aggravates the din. The dictionary meaning of the word “noise” is an unpleasant or disturbing sound. It is disturbing not only for the mind but overall health of an individual. Exposure to so much noise as in people living in crowded places in towns constantly generates mental stress and unexplained anxiety in persons. They may not realize it but the moment they reach a quiet place they feel relaxed. Due to this stress they suffer from disorders like hypertension, heart attacks, peptic ulcer, e.t.c. Scientific studies have shown that factory workers, who work with noise making machines all the time, develop sleep disorders and reduced hearing ability. Hearing of youngsters in America is said to be blunted because of excess exposure to loud noise. Noise pollution was recognized in ancient times. It is said that in ancient Rome, chariots were not supposed to move in the night. The tradition of observing silence on some occasions or days would also have originated to minimize the adverse effects of noise. Noise is measured in decibels. It increases in logarithm. An increase in 10 decibels of sound is said to produce noise pollution by 100 times. Distance from source of noise and duration of exposure are factors which determine the deleterious effects of noise on an individual. Exposure to 45 decibels may cause disturbed sleep, whereas about 80 to 85 decibels sound can impair hearing of an individual. Sudden very loud sounds can also cause death at times. Whales are known to die because of excess sounds generated by machines inside the ocean. Many species of birds and animals are said to be on the decline in numbers because they are getting killed by environmental pollution including that of noise. Thus it is damaging not only for human health but also the eco- system Noise pollution can add to the damage to the ear caused by other factors like chronic ear infections, exposure to draughts of cold or hot air, e.t.c. Noise is an avoidable pollution. In order to minimize the adverse effects of noise pollution on human health and environment, every city administration has set norms to keep noise to the minimum. Loud-speakers are banned after some time in the night, which may vary from city to city and occasion. Constant efforts are being made by scientists to improve technology such that cars, Lorries, airplanes, various machines, e.t.c. make less noise. But sensitization of individuals can play a bigger role in this regard. People should understand the importance of silence or minimum noise. Playing loud music in public places or where it can cross your boundary wall and disturb neighbours should be avoided. One should avoid talking very loudly particularly when in a public place. Same applies to mobile phones; the rings can be kept in low profile unless absolutely necessary. Combined efforts of all individuals can help to combat this menace of urban life and help improve the overall health of people. E-mail-rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk