What Are The Health Effects of Noise Pollution

Our world vibrates with the different sounds we hear every day. These range from comfort sounds like chirping birds or a loved one’s laughter to chaotic noise like blaring horns or loud music.

Most sounds fade into the background, barely noticeable. But there is a thin line between a pleasant sound and disruptive noise. When sounds get too loud, too constant and irritating, they turn into pollution. Like any other hazard, noise pollution can have adverse effects on our health.

This article aims to expertly explain noise pollution and how it affects your physical and mental health. We will also discuss how noise pollution affects our quality of life and how best to reduce noise pollution.

What Is Noise Pollution?

The World Health Organisation defines noise pollution as any unwanted or disturbing sound that has an adverse effect on the health and well-being of humans and other living organisms.

Also known as environmental noise pollution, it is one of the most underestimated health hazards. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),about 50% of the population is exposed annually to high transportation noise levels that can cause adverse health effects. This high prevalence makes noise pollution a public health concern.

Like air pollution, environmental epidemiology shows a strong correlation between prolonged exposure to noise pollution and increased risk of heart disease, sleep disruption, and other health consequences. Understanding noise levels is, therefore, important for exposure assessment and evaluation of the health effects of noise pollution.

How Loud is Too Loud?

Noise pollution is informally defined as unwanted or disturbing sound. However, if you live in urban areas, you may have grown accustomed to noise and can no longer tell when a sound has become pollution.

Research shows that the ideal level for long-term noise exposure is 70 decibels for 8 hours.

A whisper or rustling leaves is 20-30 decibels, while normal conversations are around 60 decibels. A sound is generally considered too loud when it gets to 85 decibels and above. This means that everyday noises like heavy traffic – 88 decibels, lawn mowers – 90 decibels and loud music -100+ decibels are considered noise pollution and can cause health issues like hearing loss.

Common Sources of Excessive Noise

Environmental noise is all around us, and sometimes it is difficult to trace the exact source. A combination of the different disruptive sounds we encounter daily makes up the pollution that disrupts our normal daily activities.

Here is a list of excessive noise sources: 

• Road traffic noise from cars, motorcycles, horns and heavy-duty trucks on highways and busy streets;
• Airport and aircraft noise exposure from low-flying planes, plane takeoffs and landings;
• Drilling, hammering, heavy machinery and demolition from building and construction equipment;
• Loud music and cheers from public events and outdoor events like festivals, concerts, nightclubs and sporting events;
• Household appliances and tools such as lawn mowers, generators and blenders;
• Urban hustle and bustle, crowded spaces, shouting, sirens, alarms, etc.;
• Loud music from personal devices like headphones, car stereos and home sound systems..

Industrial and manufacturing activities are also a common source of occupational noise pollution.

An average commuter in the U.S. is exposed to multiple sources of noise pollution daily. So it is important to have an in-depth knowledge of the health risks associated with noise pollution.

How Noise Pollution Impacts Health

A commentary from the Environmental Health Perspectives lists chronic noise exposure as the cause of several highly prevalent health problems such as sleep disturbances, noise annoyance, cardiovascular diseases and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). 

Loud noise is more than just a daily annoyance. It activates stress hormones in the body that can affect both physical and mental health in ways that we may not notice immediately. Rather than tune out excessive noise, the body identifies it as a threat to balance and activates a biological stress response in the brain.

When you hear a loud noise, your brain processes this noise by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system to release stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones then increase the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and elevate blood pressure.

Simultaneously, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and causes heightened alertness, anxiety and sleep fragmentation. When noise exposure is frequent or chronic, the constant activation of the HPA weakens the stress pathway over time, leading to various health problems.

Hearing Loss: The Direct Consequence

Hearing loss, or Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, is the most prevalent consequence of loud noise. Noise research shows that NIHL is the second most common cause of hearing loss and affects about 5% of the global population. NIHL occurs when auditory damage is caused by occupational and environmental noise.

NIHL was officially identified as a medical condition in the United States during the Industrial Revolution. It was commonly referred to as ‘boilermaker’s disease’, named after the engine builders who suffered hearing impairment from the constant noise from heavy machinery used in transportation and production.

Depending on the cause and extent of hearing loss, NIHL can be divided into two types:

• Acoustic trauma: This type results from a sudden and intense noise, such as a gunshot or firecracker. The hearing loss is instant and permanent.

• Chronic NIHL: This happens over time and is caused by continuous exposure to loud noise. A good example is when you listen to music through headphones at high volumes. Symptoms often take months or even years to develop.

NIHL is the most prevalent but preventable cause of hearing loss in the United States. About 48 million adults (ages 20-69) suffer from permanent hearing loss, so noise pollution is one hazard that we can no longer ignore.

Sleep Disturbances and Insomnia

Nighttime noise exposureinterrupts the sleep cycle, leading to sleep fragmentation and insomnia.

The sleep cycle is the different stages of sleep we go through at night: 

• Stage 1 is light sleep, where we first fall asleep.
• Stage 2 involves deeper relaxation, with a slower heart rate and breathing.
• Stage 3, or slow-wave sleep, is the deepest and most restorative stage where healing and recovery occur.
• REM sleep is the final stage, marked by dreaming, increased brain activity, and muscle paralysis.

Research has shown that noise sensitivity is higher at night than during the day, and exposure to nocturnal noise can interfere with the body’s ability to fully enter the slow-wave and REM sleep, where physical and mental restoration happens.

Over time, this sleep disruption can contribute to conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea, among other health problems.

Cardiovascular Problems: Stress and Hypertension

Environmental health sciences have shown that chronic exposure to noise pollution can elevate stress hormone levels and increaseblood pressure. When stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released, your body enters a ‘fight or flight’ response.

This response is a psychological and protective response that is useful in the face of real danger. Stress hormones increase heart rate and blood pressure in preparation for a fight-or-flight response. However, when this response is triggered too often or continuously, as with the case of noise pollution, the body enters a constant state of alertness.

Over time, this constant stress response can affect the cardiovascular system, leading to high blood pressure, stroke and other negative effects. It has been shown that people living in urban communities are more at risk of developing cardiovascular health issues compared to people in quiet communities.

Mental Health Impacts: Anxiety and Irritability

The problem with noise pollution isn’t just that it wears down your ears, it’s thatit also wears down your mind.

Long-term exposure to loud noise can take a serious toll on your mental health, leading to emotional distress, anxiety and irritability. It is already a fact that the brain perceives noise as a threat and releases stress hormones.

When your stress hormones are triggered continuously, you become agitated and irritable without linking your distress to the constant noise. Continuous noise deteriorates your emotional well-being, leading to mood swings, fatigue, poor sleep, reduced productivity and even depression. 

People with existing mental health conditions must be protected from loud and excessive noise, as they are most susceptible to the effects. A study showed that people in high-noise areas had a higher chance (9%) of experiencing anxiety compared to people in quieter regions. Reducing loud noise exposure can help manage their symptoms.

Cognitive Impairment: Learning and Concentration Issues

While cognitive impairments caused by noise pollution are more vulnerable in children, adults also suffer from learning and concentration issues. In environments like schools and workplaces, noise can distract, delay reading development, as well as interfere with memory and information processing.

Depending on the type, intensity of the noise and individual susceptibility or sensitivity to noise, cognitive impairments may differ in various people. Some of the issues to look out for in individuals exposed to noise pollution include short attention span, memory loss, sleep deprivation, distraction, stress, anxiety, etc.

Noise Effects on Children: Developmental Concerns

Due to their immature biological systems, children are more susceptible to environmental stressors.

Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between noise and children’s developmental processes. Findings suggest that daytime noise above 70 decibels and nighttime noise above 55 decibels may impair behavioural and cognitive development of preschool children.

Just like in adults, chronic exposure to noise pollution in children can lead to stress and anxiety. Children may also experience developmental delays such as impaired hearing, learning disabilities, and difficulties in speech and language development.

Protecting children from noise pollution is very important for growth and lifelong learning.

Workplace Productivity and Safety Risks

Noise pollution also affects work productivity and increases safety risks. People who work in noisy environments like factories and construction sites may suffer from poor concentration, difficult communication and elevated stress levels. This can lead to frustration, lower input, and substandard outputs in the workplace.

Noise also poses a significant threat to occupational safety. In high-noise environments, workers may miss important warnings like approaching vehicles, alarms or the change in the sound of a machine, which may be indicative of a malfunction. Workplace accidents are also one of the harmful effects of noise pollution.

To reduce workplace accidents and increase productivity, it is important to implement noise control safety measures such as soundproofing, regular and timely machine maintenance, and personal protective equipment.

Workers should also be trained on safety guidelines set by theOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure a safe and productive workplace.

Quality of Life: Social and Behavioural Effects

Noise of all forms is a serious health hazard and affects our overall quality of life. Noise affects how we live, interact and feel. Mood, behaviour and relationship changes are some of the negative effects of noise pollution.

People who live in noisy neighbourhoods may experience frustration and irritation, which can strain relationships at home, work, and in the community. People with existing medical conditions like high blood pressure may experience a deterioration of their health as a result of neighbourhood noise.

Some people may withdraw from social gatherings and public spaces due to the noise, which affects their emotional and social intelligence. Noise pollution can disrupt normal life activities, leading to psychological distress. Community members should strive to promote quiet environments that improve the health and quality of life for people of all ages.

How To Reduce Noise Pollution for Better Health

The U.S. has implemented noise regulations to reduce noise pollution and limit its harmful effects on public health. A more unified effort like the European Union’s Environmental Noise Directive will help in policy developments that align with global best practices, like noise maps, to improve noise monitoring and urban planning.

State and local governments have also adopted noise abatement techniques to protect the health and welfare of the population. In addition, non-profit organisations like the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse continue to advocate for stronger noise standards and create public health awareness on the health and environmental impacts of noise pollution.

However, noise reduction is not just a government responsibility. It is a shared responsibility to reduce community noise and create a quieter environment.

Here are some ways to address noise health:

• Minimise noise sources by turning off devices like televisions when not in use and lowering the sound systems and speakers. Use rugs, curtains, and close windows to cushion outside noises.
• Adopt quieter habits, such as reducing excessive honking, using noisy home appliances during the day, and setting quiet periods at home.
• Plant trees and advocate for green spaces to absorb noise naturally.
• Protect your hearing by using hearing protection devices like earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones.
• Adhere to and support noise control policies by educating other community members on the dangers of noise pollution.

The key steps to reducing noise focus on minimising noise sourcing, soundproofing, and personal protective measures. These steps reduce your exposure to loud noise and promote a healthier environment for everyone.

One of the most immediate effects of noise pollution is poor sleep—and improving sleep quality is one of the most effective ways to protect your mental and physical health.

We hope these tips will help you get a deep relaxing sleep. However, if you need further help, you should try magnesium supplementation. Restore Sleep magnesium formula contains the 7 most powerful forms of magnesium that support optimal brain function, help achieve deep restorative sleep and promote total body relaxation. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I protect myself from noise pollution?

Use ear-plugs and noise cancelling headphones. Sound-proof your home and avoid long term-exposure to loud noise.

How loud should my headphones be?

Any sound above 85 decibels is considered noise pollution and can impair your physical and mental health.

How can I file a noise complaint in my area?

Procedures vary by location. Typically, you should contact your local environmental health department.

Resources

1. Clean Air Act Title IV – Noise Pollution
2. Noise
3. Could everyday noise be affecting your health?
4. Environmental Noise Pollution in the United States: Developing an Effective Public Health Response
5. What Is Noise Pollution?
6. Noise and Health
7. Air Pollution – The Biggest Threat to Your Lifespan and Healthspan
8. Environmental Noise Pollution in the United States: Developing an Effective Public Health Response
9. EHPnet: Noise Pollution Clearinghouse
10. Possible health effects of noise-induced cortisol increase
11. Saliva Cortisol and Exposure to Aircraft Noise in Six European Countries
12. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
13. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
14. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
15. Environmental noise and sleep disturbances: A threat to health?
16. How Noise Can Affect Your Sleep Satisfaction
17. Circadian Regulation of Cochlear Sensitivity to Noise by Circulating Glucocorticoids
18. Transportation Noise Pollution and Cardiovascular Health
19. Summary of the Noise Control Act
20. How to Reduce Noise Pollution?
21. Personal Protective Equipment
22. Occupational Noise Exposure
23. Cerebral consequences of environmental noise exposure
24. Association between community noise and children’s cognitive and behavioural development: A prospective cohort study