Noise Pollution - Essay Example

One of the most detrimental threats to the quality of human life is Noise pollution. Prolonged exposure to increased levels of noise could result in a permanent loss of hearing or have adverse effects on the human nervous system. Damage to the ear over a continued period of time leads to further deterioration in hearing and may finally result in permanent deafness. To avoid such damage it is imperative to keep away from loud sounds with heavy intensities and frequencies. In this essay, we are going to discuss noise pollution from the aspect of physics and try to investigate the impact it has on the human body.

General Characteristics of sound in relation to Noise pollution

Sound is made up of longitudinal waves that travel through the air and cause certain materials to vibrate and create sound. The common characteristics of sound are intensity, frequency, amplitude, and velocity. Sound cannot travel in outer space because it is a vacuum. (Ron Kurtus, 2009) According to Kurtus atoms and molecules that float in outer space are too far apart to actually cause any vibration or sound. A loud explosion in outer space would hardly be heard because of the vacuum. Unlike electromagnetic waves that easily travel through space through electrical and magnetic fields, sound waves are caused due to vibration of matter. (Ron Kurtus, 2009)

The sound intensity in relation to Noise Pollution

The intensity of sound varies from human to human due to varying hearing sensitivity and therefore cannot be generalized. Sounds which could be normal for some could be harsh for others. Sound frequencies ranging between 1000 Hz and 5000 Hz seem most sensitive to the human ear. However, a normal human ear with the right hearing ability has the lowest threshold of approximately 4000 Hz for comfortable hearing. When sound intensity goes beyond this threshold it tends to impact the ear causing damage. Such intense sounds include loud explosions, blasts, crashes, and noise from heavy machinery, etc. Prolonged exposure to such intensity of sounds is liable to lead to permanent damage. Sound intensity is described as the average rate of sound energy flow across a perpendicular surface in the line of propagation. Sound intensity is measured by special units, namely, bel and decibel which are logarithmic. If there is an increase of 1 bel, the intensity of the sound increases tenfold. An increase of 1 dB increases the intensity by approximately 25% and the change in audibility can hardly be detected. The threshold for human hearing is 0 dB sound intensity. The intensity of sound decreases as the distance is increased.

Frequency of Noise Pollution

The frequency of noise pollution is as important as its intensity and therefore prolonged or frequent exposure to noise is another contributing factor that lowers an individual’s quality of life. The intensity of sound that exceeds 90dB or even lesser but recurs repeatedly over long periods of time either at work or one's own home, is sure to cause damage to the ear. The damage leads to a deterioration in audibility and could progress into a permanent loss of hearing if not checked in time. Therefore, it is advisable to use hearing protectors especially when exposed to noisy environments on a regular basis.

Noise pollution in relation to the quality of life

Noise pollution is a major contributing factor to discomfort and stress in human beings. In fact it is a crucial threat to an individual’s quality of life especially for those who work in factories and industries with heavy machinery that creates a lot of sound. In this contemporary age, the latest technology brought about by industrialization poses a major threat to human beings as well as causing ecological damage. Noise pollution is no more only an urban problem because even in rural areas noise from heavy machinery from industries or factories and farm implements have added to the problem.

Noise, if kept to a minimum does not affect an individual’s performance in a big way, but if the levels are exceedingly high and continues for a long period, then it makes a person stressful, fatigued and slows down performance to a great extent. Noise pollution can also cause ‘nerve deafness’ (Nigel Mason, et al.,pg. 125) According to Mason excessive noise, damages the nerves to the brain and hearing is irreversible. Mason explains that there are two types of hearing loss caused by noise pollution. One is called Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS) which is caused temporarily due to excessive noise and may become alright in a couple of days. However, in the second case which is called Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS) the damage caused by prolonged excessive noise is not reversible as the ear gets permanently damaged. (Nigel Mason, et al., pg. 125)

The human ear is very sensitive to the sound waves that are transmitted through the air and therefore has its own limitations. However, such sound sensitivity varies from individual to individual and depends on its frequency and intensity. Since sound involves the transfer of energy to the ear, it is always advisable to keep it to the minimum to avoid any damage or loss in hearing. Though noise is not generally referred to as a ‘pollutant’, yet when it exceeds limits or when it occurs at the wrong time, it is considered to be so.  In this respect, our Governments are taking some action to curb this menace of ‘Noise Pollution’. (Nigel Mason, et al., pg. 122) In the last decade, the government has passed legislation against what is acceptable and what is not in relation to sound. The level of noise that is acceptable largely depends on three main factors – 1) Type of environment, 2) Frequency structure, and 3) Duration. The scale of measurement for legislation on noise should take all the above points into consideration in order to take any legal action. (Nigel Mason, et al., pg. 123) In this manner the government proposes to keep ‘Noise Pollution’ within acceptable boundaries.