Noise Pollution: Preserving Health in a Peaceful World

Noise pollution, a pervasive environmental issue, results from excessive, unwanted, or harmful sound in the environment. Generated by various human activities, such as traffic, industrial processes, and recreational events, it adversely affects health and well-being. Mitigating noise pollution is crucial for preserving a sustainable and peaceful living environment.

Understanding Noise Pollution: Causes and Health Impacts

• Definition: Presence of excessive or unwanted sounds in the environment is called noise pollution. 
• Major Causes: Noise pollution are sounds of vehicles, explosions including bursting of crackers, machines, loudspeakers etc. 
  • Television and transistor radio at high volumes, some kitchen appliances, desert coolers, air conditioners, all contribute to noise pollution.
• Health Issues Due to Noise Pollution: Lack of sleep, hypertension (high blood pressure), anxiety and many more health disorders may be caused by noise pollution. 
  • Temporary or even permanent impairment of hearing can happen by continuous hearing loud noises. 

Noise Control Measures: Quieting the World for a Better Life

• Control on Sources: The sources of noise must be controlled to control noise. 
  • For this, silencing devices must be installed in aircraft engines, transport vehicles, industrial machines and home appliances.
• All noisy operations must be conducted away from any residential area. 
  • Noise producing industries should be set up away from such areas. Use of automobile horns should be minimised. 
  • TV and music systems should be run at low volumes. 
• Trees must be planted along the roads and around buildings to cut down on the sounds reaching the residents, thus reducing the harmful effects of noise pollution.

Ears Anatomy: Path of Sound to Your Brain

• Funnel Shape: The shape of the outer part of the ear is like a funnel. 
• Eardrum: When sound enters it, it travels down a canal at the end of which there is a thin stretched membrane. It is called the eardrum. 
  • It performs an important function. 
  • The eardrum is like a stretched rubber sheet. 
  • Sound vibrations make the eardrum vibrate. 
  • The eardrum sends vibrations to the inner ear. 
  • From there, the signal goes to the brain. 
  • This is how sounds are heard.