“Noise Pollution” has become a significantly big environmental problem of modern life. In a simple sense, noise pollution is the unwanted, excessive sounds or noises that can have detrimental effects on the human health and environment. According to Environmental Pollution Centers, the definition of “Noise Pollution is given below-

"Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the World Health Organization, sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless of how long or consistent the exposure is. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise beyond 85 dB may be hazardous. If you work for 8 hours daily in close proximity to a busy road or highway, you are very likely exposed to traffic noise pollution around 85dB.”

The human response to noise pollution is subjective as it depends on people’s hearing and the loudness and pitch of the sound. With rapid urbanization and increasing human activity, the problem of noise pollution is worsening day by day. Noise pollution is so widespread on even miniscule levels, we often fail to notice it. Some common sources of noise pollution in an urbanized area can be the following-

• Transport noises- traffic sounds, sounds of cars, horns, trucks etc.

• Construction noises- like drilling or sound of a heavy machinery

• Constant sounds of planes and helicopters taking off and landing

• Loud music from commercial places

• Industrial noises- like sounds of generator, fans etc.

• Household noises- like sounds from loudspeaker, household utensils etc. 

Noise pollution can cause various human diseases like Hypertension, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, increased blood pressure and heart rate and stress. 

But it's not only detrimental to human health, it is also affecting marine life. Thousands of ships, oil drills, watercrafts, shipping vessels etcs are populating the sea and it has been creating some serious noise pollution for marine life. The tranquility of the sea has disappeared and made it loud and chaotic. Marine mammals like dolphins and whales rely on echolocation to communicate, navigate and feed but the excessive noise pollution interferes with their hearing. Naval sonar devices and seismic surveys create some of the loudest underwater sounds and heavily affect whales’ and dolphins’ echolocation ability. Scientists have found that the louder underwater sound blasts can damage the ear of marine animals and may contribute to the altered behavior of whales.

Land animals are also affected by noise pollution. Many animals use sound to navigate, find food, find mates and protect themselves from predators. Due to noise pollution, it becomes difficult for them to rely on their hearing and this reduces their ability to survive. Loud sudden sounds like fireworks disrupts night time and stirs chaos among birds.

Prevention of noise pollution is extremely necessary to live healthily as humans and as well for other animals. Outdoor noise limitation is important for the comfort of humans. Standard house construction can minimize the outside noises but in recent times, soundproof housing is becoming a popular choice of housing. However, to reduce noise pollution all around, some measures should be strictly implemented. For example, banning honking in public places, forestation (dense trees can be useful to prevent noise pollution), reducing use of explosives and banning use of explosives at residential areas, forests, mountains or mining areas. 

References:

Nathanson, J., & Berg, R. (2019). Noise pollution - Dealing with the effects of noise. Retrieved 10 August 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/science/noise-pollution/Dealing-with-the-effects-of-noise

Noise Pollution | Environmental Pollution Centers. (2020). Retrieved 10 August 2020, from https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/noise-pollution/