For those who live in big cities, noise can be a source of constant annoyance and problems. Even within the walls of an apartment, it is rare to be completely insulated from the regular interruption of sirens, construction work, loud neighbors, and more. This is referred to as “noise pollution” a phrase used to describe “unwanted or disturbing sound” that has very similar effects to other types of pollution.1
When we talk about pollution, we often think of some kind of matter—whether it is visible, such as chemical waste, or invisible, such as toxic gas emissions. However, viewing pollution in this framework limits the scope of the word and excludes pollution that is generated by sound waves. The truth is that noise pollution is a serious issue with serious consequences.
Government Regulation of Noise Pollution
The federal government took notice of noise pollution in the early 1970s and responded with the 1972 Noise Control Act. This led to the creation of the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC), a new group within the Environmental Protection Agency dedicated to noise issues.2 The agency ran for a decade and supported research and regulatory efforts, but its funding was canceled in 1982 and has never been restored. Since that time limited attention has been devoted to the issue at the national level.3
Health Impacts of Noise Pollution
The lack of government action is particularly surprising when you look at many ways in which noise pollution can lead to serious health problems. As with other types of pollution, the problems arise with chronic exposure—a little time in noisy environments now and then is probably okay, but enduring a lot of noise for a long time is dangerous. In fact, the World Health Organization reported that thousands of deaths each year are caused by noise pollution.4
Hearing loss is one of the most direct consequences of excessive noise. A study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found evidence of hearing loss in about 15% of adults. The NIH study noted that noise above the level of 85 decibels (think city traffic or lawn equipment) begins to cause damage after eight hours of exposure.5 If you work in an environment with this level of noise, then just putting in the hours of a regular work day is enough to threaten your hearing.
Cardiovascular problems are also linked to noise pollution due to the fact that excess noise causes stress, which leads to heart trouble. People who work in high-noise environments tend to show elevated adrenaline levels which suggests that the noise is keeping them in a constant state of alert, and maintaining that state is stressful for the body.6 Noise also leads to high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease.7 And you don’t need to experience extreme noise to show symptoms. Louis Hagler, a former internal medicine specialist, notes that “there is no question that people who live near a busy roadway are experiencing effects on their blood pressure.”8
The consequences associated with noise pollution do not stop with health conditions. The physical and mental problems triggered by excessive noise can lead to a host of other issues, such as sleeplessness, trouble concentrating at work or school, and much more.9 Beyond that, noise pollution has an undeniable impact on quality of life. Regardless of whether actual health problems develop, unwanted noise is simply something that people do not like to deal with. New York City officials receive more complaints about noise than any other issue – 350,000 alone in 2006.10 And while some choose to stay and endure it, many individuals across the country can’t take it anymore. The 2000 U.S. Census reported that of the many Americans (about 30%) who have lodged noise complaints, about a third thought of moving to get away from the irritation.11
Controversy Surrounding Noise Pollution
Because federal creation and enforcement of noise regulations has not existed since the defunding of ONAC, many states, cities and organizations are taking it upon themselves to become the noise police. Now, noise rules and limits are spreading across the country, touching on everything from trains to barking dogs.12;13 But not all such laws enjoy wide support. The American Civil Liberties Union has begun targeting some of the more general rules that prohibit noise which can be heard from a certain distance. For example, the group challenged a Florida law which banned any noise that is audible from a distance of 25 feet, arguing that so many devices violate this policy that enforcement would become “arbitrary.”14 For state and city governments it may be wise to craft more specific laws, both to avoid these types of objections and to hone in on the most problematic sources of noise.
Controversy has sprung up around electric cars as well, as car manufacturers are now rolling out their first fully electric vehicles.15 While the primary selling point is the reduced environmental impact of these cars, many consumers also appreciate the fact that they produce very little noise. But blind individuals are not so pleased with the limited noise output, because it now becomes far more difficult for them to be aware of oncoming vehicles. A recent study showed that vehicles with electric motors could not be heard in time to avoid being hit, especially with other traffic noise in the background.16 Car companies have responded by designing their cars to produce a sound intended to warn blind people of the car’s presence – Ford is even letting consumers vote on how its new electric Focus should sound.17 However, this move has caused tension between the blind community and the anti-noise community.18 Unless a creative solution is found, one of these groups is likely to be disappointed by the automotive industry’s final decision.
What You Can do if Noise Pollution is Getting to You
Is too much noise driving you crazy? As with other types of pollution, noise pollution is not something that you can easily get away from. For people who live in noisy areas or work in loud environments, escaping the noise imposes a huge financial burden and presents a variety of other challenges, which means that many people go through life with near-constant noise exposure. A recent poll from the United Kingdom confirms this, reporting that 22% of London residents “had not experienced silence” for more than six months!19 Sadly, that figure is likely to be similar in other big cities around the world.
You may not be able to get away, but there are still quite a few coping mechanisms available. Here are a few, suggested by The Guardian:20
- Get away—try to find and enjoy some moments of quiet, however brief they may be.
- Think differently—use techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change the way you think about the noise, which can alter its impact on your body.
- Distract yourself—find something interesting to draw your attention away from the noise.
- Relax—try one of the many relaxation/meditation routines proven to clear your mind and help you calm down.
- Insulate—to complement internal strategies, try an external one such as increasing the insulation in your house.
- Stay safe—use ear protection whenever possible, especially for noise that you generate yourself.
- Take action—file a complaint or have a conversation with the noise producers to try to resolve the matter amicably.
