Despite being one of the less tangible types of pollution,, noise pollution affects us decisively to the development and well -being of both human beings and the other animals that suffer from it. In general terms, most people consider that noise pollution is the “noise” that is generated by human activity, but the definition goes beyond and its implications are many, understanding this type of pollution and how it affects us can become much more complex.
In the following ecology article, we tell you What is noise pollution and how it affects us to our quality of life.
Definition of noise pollution, what is it?
Despite identifying acoustic pollution (or sound pollution) with simple noise, in reality noise pollution is always annoying noise but expressed excessively And to the point where Negatively alter the appropriate living conditions at the environmental level of a specific area.
One of the characteristics that identify it and that presents this type of pollution is that, unlike other types, it leaves no physical waste, nor is it moved or maintained over time. But it is a contamination located and determined by the human activities that take place in a specific place.
Examples of noise
In order for excess noise to be considered as noise pollution, it must come from some human activity. As is logical, the greater the noise produced by the activity in question, the greater the level of noise pollution produced.
Noise pollution: examples
Some of the most common examples of noise pollution are found in the following human activities:
- Traffic: Urban roads and nuclei are spaces with a level of noise pollution precisely to noise from filming traffic, regardless of whether these are passenger or merchandise transport vehicles.
- Industrial activity: The different industrial activities produce a considerable level of noise pollution. This activity includes manufacturing factories to activities for the exploitation of natural resources such as mines.
- Leisure premises: It is a type of noise pollution that is usually located in urban nuclei and that is related, above all, to night leisure, which takes place when noise pollution is more annoying and harmful, which are the hours of sleep.
- Stations, ports and airports: Of all, air traffic is the most annoying, but the activity close to the sea ports and the stations also entails a high level of noise.
When it is considered that noise produces noise pollution
According to WHO, noise is considered Any type of sound that exceeds 65 decibelswhich is the measure used to measure the acoustic impact of any activity that involves noise pollution.
On the other hand, current legislation (which says when a noise level is excessive and can be sanctioned for producing it) depends on the municipalities. That is, according to the town where we are, we can find different types of limits when considering that an activity is producing noise pollution that exceeds the limits stipulated by law and that, therefore, the competent authorities can be notified so that they can proceed to take the relevant measures.
In addition, These limits depend on the time slot in which we are, differentiating between day and night. In general, the maximum level of decibels that are allowed in an urban street is between 50 and 65 decibels per day, while at night it is located between 40 and 55.
However, these limits Many times they are not respectedand that is when acoustic pollution will begin to produce real health problems both in people and in animals.
Consequences of noise pollution in our health
Noise pollution affects both people and animals. While it is true that, in most cases, who are going to be seen more affected are domestic people and animalsthis is because they are those who live in the urban nuclei, which are the places where the level of noise is greater.
However, if we think about the noise contamination produced by an airport’s air traffic, it will affect all the local fauna that lives within a radius of several kilometers around the take -off and landing tracks.
Noise pollution, especially when it is prolonged over time, affects health by developing various types of diseases. Likewise, these medical paintings usually increase in the event that the problem is not solved.
Some of the most common consequences of noise pollution are:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Lack of concentration
- Stress
- Social isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hysteria
- Neurosis
On the other hand, in addition to these diseases, suffering from its can trigger other diseases As a consequence of the lack of a correct rest during the night, such as those related to the respiratory system, heart disease, weight gain, school failure, violent behaviors, or loss of audition among others.
Solutions for noise pollution
The solutions against noise pollution They can be of two types:
- Preventive solutions: In the case of preventive we will be talking about solutions that eliminate sources that produce noise pollution. An example of this would be to pedestrianize a street, which will avoid shot traffic and, consequently, the noise pollution that derives from it.
- Healing solutions: While in the case of healing we will be counteracting, as far as possible, the impact that noise pollution produces. For example, the use of caps for the ears or have windows that cushion the sound of the rolled traffic, making noise pollution not reach the interior of the house or that, in case of doing so, has been minimized as much as possible.
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