SOUND POLLUTION

Sound Pollution

What is Sound Pollution?

Noise Pollution or Sound Pollution is when the exposure of people or animals to levels of sound that are annoying, stressful, or damaging to the ears. Although loud and frightening sounds are part of nature, only in recent centuries has much of the world become urban, industrial, and chronically noisy. The machines used in factories make noise throughout the day, and this disturbs the peaceful atmosphere in the vicinity, as machines used without proper covering lead to sound pollution. Noise is one of the most pervasive pollution in America.

How is Sound Pollution Measured?

Noise intensity is measured in decibel units. The decibel scale is logarithmic; each
10-decibel increase represents a tenfold increase in noise intensity.

What Causes Sound Pollution?

Most noise pollution comes from machines, especially automobiles, trucks, and aircraft. Construction equipment, farm machines, and the din of machinery inside factories can be dangerously loud. Some home appliances, shop tools, lawnmowers, and leaf blowers can also be noisy, as are guns, firecrackers, and some toys. Even music, when played at very high volume, particularly through personal headphones, is as damaging to the ears as a roaring chain saw.