Q

APES 7.8 Noise Pollution

Enduring Understanding:

  • Human activities have physical, chemical, and biological consequences for the atmosphere.

Learning Objective:

  • Describe human activities that result in noise pollution and its effects.

Essential Knowledge:

  • Noise pollution is sound at levels high enough to cause physiological stress and hearing loss.
  • Sources of noise pollution in urban areas include transportation, construction, and domestic and industrial activity.
  • Some effects of noise pollution on animals in ecological systems include stress, the masking of sounds used to communicate or hunt, damaged hearing, and causing changes to migratory routes.
  • It may be odd to think of noise as pollution, but it is in the atmosphere and has detrimental effects, so it qualifies

Sources

  • Loud noise levels are associated with railroads, mass transit, airports, sirens, heavy traffic, and motorcycles
  • Machinery associated with industry can also emit lots of sounds
  • Construction activities such as trucks, jackhammers, nail guns, and other heavy-duty activities cause loud noises

Consequences

  • Noise pollution is any noise that causes stress or has the potential to damage human health
  • Noise is measured in decibels on a logarithmic scale
  • Human hearing can be damaged with sudden or prolonged exposure to noises above 85dBAs

Hearing Loss

  • Hearing loss is a consequence of noise pollution
  • Humans cannot tolerate sudden, drastic increases in noise levels or prolonged exposure to high-decibel sounds
  • The tiny hair cells that detect sound become damaged with extreme volume, impairing our hearing after the fact
    • These cells cannot repair themselves, so the damage is permanent

Other Human Health Concerns

  • Noise pollution can contribute to all of the following:
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • High blood pressure
  • Even heart disease

Effects on Animals and Ecological Systems

  • Anthropogenic noise can cause stress, resulting in reduced reproduction, a decline in overall health, and disrupted communication
  • In marine environments, marine mammals including whales, dolphins, and seals, are highly impacted by noise from vessels and machinery
  • Noise can mask sounds for both predators and prey
    • Noise pollution can make it unusually difficult for predators to find prey, or for prey to be warned of predators
    • This throws off the balance of predator/prey relationships
  • Noise pollution can alter migration routes
    • Birds, whales, and game animals like mule deer are impacted by noise pollution from machinery and transportation
    • During migration, animals avoid areas that have too much noise, possibly pushing them from areas that previously provided critical food, nesting, or resting opportunities

Regulation

  • Health risks from noise pollution are significant, especially for people who live in urban areas
  • The US Noise Control Act of 1972 enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate noise
    • The EPA sets emission standards for sources of noise from transportation, machinery, and construction
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Association (ASHO) sets limits on noise exposure in the workplace
  • The Quiet Communities Act provides funding to help communities reduce noise associated with nearby airports