According to De Vos. and Van Beek. (2011), noise exposure levels have increased greatly over time as a result of urbanization, mechanization, industrialization, mobility and globalization respectively (p.478). This increase imposes a major threat on human’s health, quality of life and well-being as well as on the ecological system as discussed earlier. As a result, WHO (1999) has been setting standards and health guidelines related to noise management in order to address this problem and mitigate its effects (Berglund et al., 1999).
Priorities in managing noise pollution differ across countries according to policies, needs and potentials. The main concern should be directed towards assessing health risks, focusing on the important noise sources and setting legislations and effective noise control plans. (Berglund et al., 1999). As a first step towards assessing noise pollution, each particular community should specify the most important noise sources that increase significantly the noise exposure levels (King & Davis, 2003). Figure 4 illustrates the steps of the management program to be followed to ensure implementation of noise pollution Strategic noise maps are used in the assessment of noise exposure of a population in given areas taking into consideration all the different noise sources present (Merchan & Diaz-Balteiro, 2013). Sample surveys including the different characteristics of the noise source are used to estimate the noise emissions and present a general depiction of the noise exposure when accurate data isn’t available for some components of a noise exposure map. Noise management plans are then developed in accordance to the estimates generated (Berglund et al., 1999).After mapping, noise exposure modeling helps to...
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...tion with other anthropogenic forces in order to ensure the creation of a vision and the implementation of environmental goals (Barber, Crooks & Fristrup, 2009). Efforts to decrease noise exposure will be rewarded by lower toll on health effects as annoyance, cardiovascular diseases, annoyance, sleep disturbance, stress and so on (Basner et al., 2013). Policies and intervention plans addressing noise pollution reduction should be the priority of authorities where the outcome will be directed towards the benefit of public health (Hammer et al., 2014). Ethical considerations in this environmental issue is a must where sustainability, healthfulness and health inequity are the main scope and authorities should work in coordination towards an improved quality of life for the current generation while protecting the biodiversity and the needs of the future generations.
Thorne, P. R., Ameratunga, S. N., Stewart, J., Reid, N., Williams, W., Purdy, S. C., ... & Wallaart, J. (2008). Epidemiology of noise-induced hearing loss in New Zealand. NZ Med J, 121.
Noise is ubiquitous in our environment. (Pediatrics , 1997) It is undesirable sound, unwanted sound. Sound is what we hear. It is vibration in a medium, usually air. Sound has intensity, frequency and duration. The ability to hear sounds at certain frequencies is more readily lost in response to noise. (Pediatrics , 1997). The further you are from sound the less effect you hear it but the more closer you are to sound the louder it is.
2. Health Issues: noise pollution in working areas such as offices, construction sites, bars and even in our homes can influence psychological health. Studies show that aggressive behavior, stress, and hypertension can be caused by noises.
The Russian harlequin in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness expresses a common habit amongst sailors to smoke when he exclaims to Marlow, “Smoke? Where’s a sailor that does not smoke?” (132), correspondingly, in today’s world it is common for daily surroundings to include loud, obnoxious sounds that can potentially damage ones hearing permanently. This type of hearing disability is frequently referred to as N.I.H.L (Noise-Induced Hearing Loss). “N.I.H.L can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense ‘impulse’ sound such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as noise generated in a woodworking shop” (“Noise-Indu...
To further evaluate the effects of noise exposure Kujawa and Liberman conducted a study to determine the long-term effects of noise exposure in relation age. They presenting the same amount of 8–16 kHz oc...
Noise (Noise induced hearing loss NIHL): Another occupational hazard that contributes to workplace injury is excessive noise. Excessive noise may have adverse effects, which include, high blood pressure, stress, reduced performance and noise induced hearing loss. While there are other factors contributing to NIHL, the shortage of prevention is a high contributor. Engineering controls is one way of reducing noise at its source (Nelson et al. 20...
Lack of proper clean air standards results in spending on medical care which pushes it above the average compared to other states. Public insurers spent the highest and it is envisaged that this may push the medical insurance high making it hard to access healthcare.
Vehicles are the main source of air pollution. The following pollutants together are associated with emission are: Carbon monoxide co), Nitrogen Dioxide no2), Sulfur dioxide so2) and particulate matter (PM). Separately, any of these pollutants are understood or assumed to cause adverse health effects. Increases in air pollution are associated with increases in heart attacks, deteriorating respiratory function and increased premature births rates. Information on air quality In the era of serious concerns about the quality of health outcome, more fo...
The noise of Aircrafts was historically a major environmental issue for the airline. It is still high on the agenda of public concern. Noise disturbance has a variety of difficult issues to assess because it is open for self- reactions. Its impact is not one permanently on the actual environment, but it can have many effects on the people living in the area of the airport, including: interference in c...
...on between environmentalism and the arts. As the founder of the World Soundscape Project, he has created significant awareness to noise pollution while presenting various solutions to it to the academic community and the public. Through his compositions, he aims for a transformative experience that explores the relationship between nature and the arts, and how crucial the soundscape is to human culture. In his foresight, he also focuses on pedagogy in order to influence and inspire the future to take initiative to preserve and improve the condition of the world soundscape. Not only does R. Murray Schafer establish his place in the world as the leading figure for the preservation of the environment, but he has also strived towards progress in the soundscape, through the collaboration of all disciplines in order to create a healthier sonic environment for the future.
...elopment of Noise Setbacks for Wind Farms – Requirements for Compliance with MOE Noise Limits. Ministry of the Environment Available online: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@ene/@resources/documents/resource/stdprod_080767.pdf
vociferous noises are offensive and punishable by law. The law is called noise pollution. The
PURPOSE: To persuade my audience that we must take action now to control air pollution
Living in the curse of pollution, where everyday our life is at the mayhem of polluted air, loud sound, honking, here is a person who for the last 28 years fights against the noise-makers of the street. The 52-year-old Kolkata businessman Kailash Mohta started his initiative in 1989 to make people aware about the effects of honking. However, this crusader started his
...ffects on human health. These have high negative effects on low income areas, as a result of pollution, visual, oral and air, as well as high levels of overcrowding. The World Health Organisation predicts that in the next 30years most of the world’s population growth will occur in cities and towns of poor countries. This rapid, unplanned and unsustainable pattern of urbanisation, is creating cities into focal points for environmental and health hazards (World Medical Association, 2010).