Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
effects of noise, citizens will be more likely to ask for legislation and technology
to limit and control noise. Thus, legislation, and technology are significant part-
ners in noise abatement programs. This is not to say that certain sounds (emergency
vehicles) do not serve a societal purpose, but even the noises that they make can
be mitigated. It is important for business to recognize its contribution to noise
and consider ways to lessen the noise. However, another element in the effort to
reduce noise must be the recognition that individuals themselves can be a source
of noise pollution as they fail to respect the rights of others to quiet. To create a
quieter society, all of us can do one thing immediately - turn down the volume.
We can all keep the volume on our radios, televisions, and personal music sys-
tems on lower settings; we can keep our pets quiet; we can forego honking horns
except in an emergency; we can keep our automobiles and truck engines, air condi-
tioners and appliances in good working order; and we can keep our voices lower
as we speak on cell phones in public places. Acting respectfully and responsi-
bly toward others will not only create a quieter society but a more civil one as
well.
References
1. Zaner, A. (1991) Definition and sources of noise. In: Noise and health, Ed. Fay, T.H., The
New York Academy of Medicine, New York.
2. Suter, A.H. (1991) Noise and its effects. Administrative Conference of the United States.
Available at http://www.noisepollution.org/library/suter/suter.htm. Accessed October 18,
2008.
3. Berglund, B., Lindvall, T. (1995) Community noise.
Arch Center Sens Res
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This document is an updated version of the document published by the World Health
Organization in 1980. The updated version is available at: http://www.who.int/docstore/
peh/noise/guidelines2.html. Accessed October 18, 2008.
4. Lee, C.S.Y., Fleming, G.G. (2002) General health effects of transportation noise, US
Department of Transportation, Washington, DC, Available at http://www.fra.dot.gov/
downloads/RRDev/Health_Final.pdf. Accessed October 18, 2008.
5. United States Environmental Protection Agency (1978) Noise: a health problem, United States
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Noise Abatement and Control, Washington, DC.
6. Kryter, K.D. (1985) The effects of noise on man, Second Edition, Academic Press Inc.,
Orlando, FL, p. 1.
7. Colvin, I., Luxon, L. (2007) Clinical diagnosis of noise-induced hearing loss. In: Noise and its
effects, Eds. Prasher, D. and Luxon, L., John Wiley and Sons Ltd., New York, pp. 182-231.
8. Babisch, W. (2005) Noise and health.
Environ Health Perspect
, 113, A14-15. Available
at: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?article
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18, 2008.
9. Ising, H., Kruppa, B. (2004) Health effects caused by noise: evidence from the literature from
the past 25 years.
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10. Stansfeld, S., Haines, M., Brown, B. (2000) Noise and health in the urban environment.
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Environ Health
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11. Passchier-Vermeer, W., Passchier, W.F. (2000) Noise exposure and public health.
Environ
Health Perspect
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12. Bat Chava, Y., Schur, K.. (November 2000) Longitudinal trends in hearing loss: nineteen years
of public screenings. Paper presented at the 128th annual meeting of American Public Health
Association, Boston.
