Noise: The invisible pollutant that cannot be ignored

Abstract

Noise is arguably the most widespread and least controlled environmental pollutant. Noise has been recognized since the time of the Romans as unwanted and intrusive. It was the Industrial Revolution and the rise of cities that greatly accelerated noise pollution to current levels, which continue to increase. The main sources that underlie noise continue to be population growth and urbanization; technology has added to the din. Among its many adverse effects, noise damages hearing, disturbs communication, disrupts sleep, impairs cardiovascular function, interferes with teaching and learning, reduces productivity, harms relationships, provokes unwanted behaviors, and increases accidents. It is a significant source of recurring and often unrecognized stress, which, itself, degrades both health and the quality of life. Controlling noise will require efforts at several levels. First, government must act responsibly to protect human health and well-being. This means enacting rational noise control laws, seeing they are implemented, and enforcing them as necessary. Education of lawmakers and the public will be an ongoing part of this effort. Business must recognize its role in generating noise and must be part of the solution in noise reduction. Technology will have to play a role in designing and manufacturing all sorts of machines and devices that produce noise levels that do not adversely affect health. The public must play a part by recognizing the hazards of noise pollution, by being unwilling to tolerate it, and by demanding legislative action and enforcement in their federal, state, and municipal governments. Each of us will have to cease being sources of unnecessary noise. As a society, at all levels, we must turn down the volume. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.