Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 4
Noise: The Invisible Pollutant that Cannot
Be Ignored
Arline L. Bronzaft and Louis Hagler
Abstract
Noise is arguably the most widespread and least controlled environmen-
tal pollutant. Noise has been recognized since the time of the Romans as unwanted
and intrusive. It was the Industrial Revolution and the rise of cities that greatly
accelerated noise pollution to current levels, which continue to increase. The main
sources that underlie noise continue to be population growth and urbanization;
technology has added to the din. Among its many adverse effects, noise damages
hearing, disturbs communication, disrupts sleep, impairs cardiovascular function,
interferes with teaching and learning, reduces productivity, harms relationships,
provokes unwanted behaviors, and increases accidents. It is a significant source of
recurring and often unrecognized stress, which, itself, degrades both health and the
quality of life.
Controlling noise will require efforts at several levels. First, government must act
responsibly to protect human health and well-being. This means enacting rational
noise control laws, seeing they are implemented, and enforcing them as neces-
sary. Education of lawmakers and the public will be an ongoing part of this effort.
Business must recognize its role in generating noise and must be part of the solution
in noise reduction. Technology will have to play a role in designing and manufactur-
ing all sorts of machines and devices that produce noise levels that do not adversely
affect health. The public must play a part by recognizing the hazards of noise pol-
lution, by being unwilling to tolerate it, and by demanding legislative action and
enforcement in their federal, state, and municipal governments. Each of us will have
to cease being sources of unnecessary noise. As a society, at all levels, we must turn
down the volume.
Keywords
Noise and health
·
Noise and quality of life
·
Noise mitigation
·
Noise
legislation
·
Noise and children
