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

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