Noise pollution and its bad effects on Human Health ( Article)

Noise pollution is displeasing or excessive noise that may disrupt the activity or balance of human or animal life. The word noise is cognate with the Latin word nauseas, which means disgust or discomfort. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircrafts, and trains. Outdoor noise is summarized by the word environmental noise. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas.

Indoor noise is caused by machines, building activities, music performances, and especially in some workplaces. There is no great difference whether noise-induced hearing loss is brought about by outside (e.g. trains) or inside (e.g. music) noise.

Noise Pollution has adverse effects on human   health as:

·         Cardiovascular effects in humans,

·         A rise in blood pressure,

·         An increase in stress and vasoconstriction,

·         An increased incidence of coronary artery disease,

·         Interfere with reproduction and navigation,

·         Contribute to permanent hearing loss,

·         Unwanted sound (noise) can damage psychological health,

·         Cause annoyance and aggression,

·          Hypertension,

·         high stress levels,

·         tinnitus, hearing loss,

·         sleep  disturbances etc.

If noise pollution is allowed to go unchecked with the increasing number of vehicles on roads, rising growth of factories and construction work, loudspeakers used on various occasions and the playing of film songs and pop music at wedding celebrations, then it may rob the people of their hearing capacity. All of these are responsible for causing noise pollution. The WHO reports that transportation road, rail and air traffic is the major source of noise pollution. Things haven’t changed much in the past few thousand years.
Noise control laws are openly violated. It is time the authorities wake up and act against the danger of noise pollution. They should strictly enforce noise control laws. Noise-producing factories located in the residential areas should be shifted to far-off places without any delay. The use of loudspeakers should be stopped after a specific time. The public needs to cooperate against the dangers of noise pollution. Without public cooperation the authorities cannot make much difference. It is earnestly hoped that the authorities concerned would take urgent necessary action against those responsible for noise pollution to relieve the people from its harmful effects.