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