7.8 Noise Pollution
2 min read•january 8, 2023
Krish Gupta
Joshua Nielsen
Krish Gupta
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
CDC
NIOSH
Decibel
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
How loud is too loud?
Noise is not often thought of as a pollutant. That is until you try studying for a test in the middle of a basketball game. High levels of sound are able to cause physical and psychological and .
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in humans begins at 85 . A normal conversation is around 60 dB. Permanent may occur within 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to 100 dB (construction work).
Children exposed to long term loud noise suffer from decreased reading ability, hyperactivity, poor speech development, and . Adults also suffer from higher blood pressure and difficulty thinking in situations of very loud noises.
Effects on Animals
Loud noises affect animals as well as people. Animals may suffer from and experience due to . is impaired around loud noises. Birds must alter their tune with higher notes or sing at different times. Bats have a more difficult time finding their food using echolocation in loud environments.
is not only present in the air. Marine animals suffer from loud noises. Sound travels farther in water. The sounds of propellers and sonar have interrupted the communications of whales and dolphins and caused . Some marine whale pods have altered their migratory paths in order to avoid shipping lanes and areas of sonar use.
Mitigation
, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the presence of unwanted or excessive sound in the environment. It can have negative impacts on human health and well-being, as well as on the behavior and survival of wildlife.
There are several ways to mitigate :
Implement : Governments can set limits on the amount of noise that can be generated by different sources, such as construction sites, factories, and transportation systems.
Use and other noise-reducing measures: Physical barriers, such as walls and fences, can be used to block or absorb noise. Other noise-reducing measures, such as and , can also be used to reduce noise levels.
Promote the use of quieter technologies and vehicles: Quieter technologies and vehicles, such as electric vehicles and , can help reduce .
Encourage the use of : systems, such as buses and trains, are generally quieter than private vehicles and can help reduce traffic noise.
Plant trees and vegetation: Trees and other vegetation can absorb and reflect sound, helping to reduce noise levels in urban areas.
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (11)
Animal Communication
: Animal communication refers to the exchange of information between animals through various signals, such as sounds, visual displays, or chemical cues. It is a vital aspect of their behavior and plays a crucial role in mating, territorial defense, and warning others about potential dangers.Decibels
: Decibels are a unit of measurement used to quantify the intensity or loudness of sound. They measure the ratio between the level of a particular sound and a reference level.Hearing Loss
: Hearing loss refers to the partial or complete inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. It can be caused by various factors such as aging, exposure to loud noises, certain medical conditions, or genetic predisposition.Low-noise aircraft
: Low-noise aircraft refers to airplanes or helicopters that are designed to produce minimal noise pollution during flight. These aircraft are equipped with advanced technologies and modifications to reduce engine noise, aerodynamic noise, and other sources of noise emissions.Low-noise pavement
: Low-noise pavement refers to a type of road surface that is designed to reduce noise pollution caused by vehicle traffic. It is made with materials that absorb or deflect sound waves, resulting in quieter roads.Noise barriers
: Noise barriers are physical structures designed to reduce or block the transmission of sound waves from a noisy source to a receiver. They are commonly used along highways, railways, and industrial areas to mitigate noise pollution.Noise pollution
: Noise pollution refers to excessive or disturbing noise that can have negative effects on human health and the environment. It includes sounds from sources such as traffic, construction, industrial activities, and loud music.Noise regulations and standards
: Noise regulations and standards are guidelines or laws set by governments to control and limit the amount of noise produced in specific areas. They aim to protect public health, maintain quality of life, and prevent excessive noise pollution.Noise-absorbing materials
: Noise-absorbing materials are substances specifically designed to reduce the reflection and transmission of sound waves. These materials absorb a significant portion of incoming sound energy rather than reflecting it back into the environment.Public transportation
: Public transportation refers to shared modes of transportation available for use by the general public. It includes services like buses, trains, trams/streetcars, subways/metros/undergrounds, ferries/boats/ships that operate on scheduled routes with fixed stops or stations.Stress
: Stress is a physiological and psychological response triggered by external pressures or demands that exceed an individual's ability to cope effectively. It can manifest as feelings of tension, anxiety, irritability, or physical symptoms such as headaches or sleep disturbances.7.8 Noise Pollution
2 min read•january 8, 2023
Krish Gupta
Joshua Nielsen
Krish Gupta
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
CDC
NIOSH
Decibel
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
How loud is too loud?
Noise is not often thought of as a pollutant. That is until you try studying for a test in the middle of a basketball game. High levels of sound are able to cause physical and psychological and .
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in humans begins at 85 . A normal conversation is around 60 dB. Permanent may occur within 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to 100 dB (construction work).
Children exposed to long term loud noise suffer from decreased reading ability, hyperactivity, poor speech development, and . Adults also suffer from higher blood pressure and difficulty thinking in situations of very loud noises.
Effects on Animals
Loud noises affect animals as well as people. Animals may suffer from and experience due to . is impaired around loud noises. Birds must alter their tune with higher notes or sing at different times. Bats have a more difficult time finding their food using echolocation in loud environments.
is not only present in the air. Marine animals suffer from loud noises. Sound travels farther in water. The sounds of propellers and sonar have interrupted the communications of whales and dolphins and caused . Some marine whale pods have altered their migratory paths in order to avoid shipping lanes and areas of sonar use.
Mitigation
, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the presence of unwanted or excessive sound in the environment. It can have negative impacts on human health and well-being, as well as on the behavior and survival of wildlife.
There are several ways to mitigate :
Implement : Governments can set limits on the amount of noise that can be generated by different sources, such as construction sites, factories, and transportation systems.
Use and other noise-reducing measures: Physical barriers, such as walls and fences, can be used to block or absorb noise. Other noise-reducing measures, such as and , can also be used to reduce noise levels.
Promote the use of quieter technologies and vehicles: Quieter technologies and vehicles, such as electric vehicles and , can help reduce .
Encourage the use of : systems, such as buses and trains, are generally quieter than private vehicles and can help reduce traffic noise.
Plant trees and vegetation: Trees and other vegetation can absorb and reflect sound, helping to reduce noise levels in urban areas.
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (11)
Animal Communication
: Animal communication refers to the exchange of information between animals through various signals, such as sounds, visual displays, or chemical cues. It is a vital aspect of their behavior and plays a crucial role in mating, territorial defense, and warning others about potential dangers.Decibels
: Decibels are a unit of measurement used to quantify the intensity or loudness of sound. They measure the ratio between the level of a particular sound and a reference level.Hearing Loss
: Hearing loss refers to the partial or complete inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. It can be caused by various factors such as aging, exposure to loud noises, certain medical conditions, or genetic predisposition.Low-noise aircraft
: Low-noise aircraft refers to airplanes or helicopters that are designed to produce minimal noise pollution during flight. These aircraft are equipped with advanced technologies and modifications to reduce engine noise, aerodynamic noise, and other sources of noise emissions.Low-noise pavement
: Low-noise pavement refers to a type of road surface that is designed to reduce noise pollution caused by vehicle traffic. It is made with materials that absorb or deflect sound waves, resulting in quieter roads.Noise barriers
: Noise barriers are physical structures designed to reduce or block the transmission of sound waves from a noisy source to a receiver. They are commonly used along highways, railways, and industrial areas to mitigate noise pollution.Noise pollution
: Noise pollution refers to excessive or disturbing noise that can have negative effects on human health and the environment. It includes sounds from sources such as traffic, construction, industrial activities, and loud music.Noise regulations and standards
: Noise regulations and standards are guidelines or laws set by governments to control and limit the amount of noise produced in specific areas. They aim to protect public health, maintain quality of life, and prevent excessive noise pollution.Noise-absorbing materials
: Noise-absorbing materials are substances specifically designed to reduce the reflection and transmission of sound waves. These materials absorb a significant portion of incoming sound energy rather than reflecting it back into the environment.Public transportation
: Public transportation refers to shared modes of transportation available for use by the general public. It includes services like buses, trains, trams/streetcars, subways/metros/undergrounds, ferries/boats/ships that operate on scheduled routes with fixed stops or stations.Stress
: Stress is a physiological and psychological response triggered by external pressures or demands that exceed an individual's ability to cope effectively. It can manifest as feelings of tension, anxiety, irritability, or physical symptoms such as headaches or sleep disturbances.
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