Decibel Dilemma
Summary-AVID Article Format
- Noise pollution extremely prevalent, 120 mil people suffer from disabling hearing disabilities
- Lack of anti-noise regulation on transportation in traffic and businesses, hazardous level >85 dBA
- Noise difficult to monitor in workplace (military, manufacturing, agriculture, etc.)
- OSHA requires hearing protection in jobs that require it, but standards are still not met
- Negative effect on workplace, affects public drastically (entertainment now promotes loudness)
- Our lifestyle is progressively getting louder, louder speakers, louder sound systems
- Noise can cause disabilities like tinnitus; 12 mil suffer from tinnitus;
- Our lifestyle must be changed, since hearing loss is permanent and irreversible
- Sound can also affect blood pressure, sleep, heart rate, contractions, and other damage
- Affects learning ability; kids are being exposed to noise pollution at an early age
- Complaints are arising, noise dampening is becoming more prevalent in facilities that need it
- Action is starting to take place to reduce noise in crucial areas like airports
- Lawsuits being filed on companies that produce noise-polluting technology
- Activists are protesting noisy activities and technology
- Legislation passes bills and regulations (Noise Control Act of 1972)
Summary
Air pollution, water pollution, and other forms of pollution are all universally known throughout the population, but but people pay no mind to them and their effects. One form of pollution, however, may catch people by surprise, in both its concept, and its risk - noise. Noise pollution is everywhere no matter where you are: in the city, country, and sometimes even the forest. Noise pollution can cause hearing disabilities and conditions in people that are exposed to an excessive amount of noise, and a substantial amount of people in the U.S. have disabilities because of our growing fondness to loud noises. This problem, however, is being dealt with through legislation and activists that speak for people affected by noise.
Reflection
I've had my fair share of loud noises, but I never thought that loud noise actually falls under the "pollution" category. Hearing loss is a huge problem that I was never fully aware of, and I was astonished when I found out that so many people suffered from hearing disabilities due to their location and lifestyle. What also surprised me is how many facilities and homes go without noise dampening, since foam is relatively cheap. I do hope that noise pollution is reduced even further by legislation and activist programs, but for now, I see no problem in my current situation.