Noise pollution is not just something to be annoyed; it something that you should be alarmed because it can negatively impacts your health.
What is noise pollution?
Noise pollution is not just something that can easily be perceived like the cluttered trash you can see almost anywhere; these are annoying and harmful loud noises, which are commonly generated in most industrial facilities, public places, and even in most transportation areas such as the highway, airport, railway, and more. To be specific, noise pollution may come from the following:
• Chainsaw
• The noise from city traffic
• Emergency siren
• Gunshot
• Fireworks
• Jet plane
• Hair dryer
• Washing machine
• Loud concerts or music player
• Leaf blower
• Tractor
Normally, an average person can hear sound from 0 dB to 15 dB; anything beyond that is already harmful and can cause permanent damage to hearing.
How does it can affect your health?
The ears are the primary body part that is easily affected by noise pollution, where excessive exposure to loud noise can cause permanent damage to hearing; however, aside from hearing, frequent exposure to loud noise has the tendency to cause problems to physical and psychological health.
Here are a few effects of noise pollution to your health:
1. Effects on the cardiovascular system
There are has been several studies that have linked noise to cardiovascular health problems, especially hypertension. Also, a few studies have also shown that noise that reaches 50 dB at night can cause myocardial infarction due to the abnormal overproduction of cortisol. Also, loud noise at night can:
• Constrict the arterial blood flow, causing high blood pressure.
• Vasoconstriction
2. Psychological effects
Overexposure to extremely loud sound can affect not only the body but also your mental state. According to the experts, frequent exposure to intense noise may negatively impact a person’s personality, including having violent reactions.
Also, several studies were conducted and have theorized that too much exposure to loud voice may cause depression, anxiety, and stress, especially when frequently exposed during night time or bedtime; no matter how hard you try to make your bed comfortable or wear the best sleep masks, being exposed to loud noise more often than the usual, will indeed cause problem to your mental or psychological health.
Also, experts have pointed out that sound level of 45 dB may cause sleeping disturbance or sleeping pattern problems.
3. Cognitive effects
Several studies have been proven that children who are regularly exposed to loud voice may cause speech and reading problems. According to the experts, the high noise level can hinder the proper cognitive development in children leading to poor memories, decision-making, and they become less creative. One of the common reasons why children should have 8-9 hours of sleep at night is for the purpose of mental development; if sleep is regularly interrupted due to loud noise, his or her learning capabilities can be affected.
The emission of noise pollution is sometimes inevitable; however, you can always control it by keeping your house noise-free or the use of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
