Noise Pollution
Sound is essential to our daily lives, but noise is not
What is Noise Pollution?
The traditional definition of noise is “unwanted or disturbing sound”. Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life. It is a source of irritation and stress for many people and can even damage our hearing if it is loud enough. Many of us are exposed to stressful levels of noise at home and at work. Noise is on the increase in our society.
The fact that you can’t see, taste or smell it may help explain why it has not received as much attention as other types of pollution, such as air pollution, or water pollution. The air around us is constantly filled with sounds, yet most of us would probably not say we are surrounded by noise. Though for some, the persistent and escalating sources of sound can often be considered an annoyance. This “annoyance” can have major consequences, primarily to one’s overall health.
Noise is an inescapable part of modern life. Traffic on the road, low-flying aircraft, dogs barking, lawn mowers, and music blaring from ghetto blasters are some of the noises polluting our cities. People are noisier now than they were a generation ago. Most homes now boast at least one television, one radio, a thumping stereo system and a range of noisy household appliances.
Judging by the number of complaints made to authorities, Australians are becoming increasingly irritated by urban noise. In Sydney there are over 100,000 noise complaints a year, most of which relate to noisy neighbours.
But it is not just the number of complaints that is on the rise. There has also been a sharp increase in noise litigation, with people prepared to take legal action to protect their peace and quiet. Of even greater concern is the effect excessive noise can have on the physical and psychological well-being of people.
In large cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam,
What is Noise Pollution?
The traditional definition of noise is “unwanted or disturbing sound”. Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life. It is a source of irritation and stress for many people and can even damage our hearing if it is loud enough. Many of us are exposed to stressful levels of noise at home and at work. Noise is on the increase in our society.
The fact that you can’t see, taste or smell it may help explain why it has not received as much attention as other types of pollution, such as air pollution, or water pollution. The air around us is constantly filled with sounds, yet most of us would probably not say we are surrounded by noise. Though for some, the persistent and escalating sources of sound can often be considered an annoyance. This “annoyance” can have major consequences, primarily to one’s overall health.
Noise is an inescapable part of modern life. Traffic on the road, low-flying aircraft, dogs barking, lawn mowers, and music blaring from ghetto blasters are some of the noises polluting our cities. People are noisier now than they were a generation ago. Most homes now boast at least one television, one radio, a thumping stereo system and a range of noisy household appliances.
Judging by the number of complaints made to authorities, Australians are becoming increasingly irritated by urban noise. In Sydney there are over 100,000 noise complaints a year, most of which relate to noisy neighbours.
But it is not just the number of complaints that is on the rise. There has also been a sharp increase in noise litigation, with people prepared to take legal action to protect their peace and quiet. Of even greater concern is the effect excessive noise can have on the physical and psychological well-being of people.
In large cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam,