Intro to Air pollutants notes - 7.8

Urban Noise Pollution

any noise great enough volume to cause physiological stress of hearing loss

• difficulty communicating, headaches, confusion, etc.

• construction, cars, buses, trains, lawn-mowing, etc.

Wildlife effects

Animals may suffer from hearing loss and experience stress due to noise pollution.

• communication, migration, and hearing is impaired around loud noises

• Birds must alter their tune with higher notes or sing at different times

• caterpillar hearts beat faster when exposed to stimulated highway noise pollution

• pollinator species decline

Aquatic animal effects

Sound travels farther in water, and sounds of propellers and sonar have interrupted the communications of whales and dolphins and caused hearing loss.

• Some marine whale pods have altered their migratory paths in order to avoid shipping lanes and areas of sonar use

Mitigation

1. Implement noise regulations and standards

2. Use noise barriers and other noise-reducing measures

3. Promote the use of quieter technologies and vehicles

4. Encourage the use of public transportation

5. Plant trees and vegetation that can absorb and reflect sound