Noise pollution
Facts
Noise pollution refers to any excessive noise that interferes with normal activities, leading to a lower quality of life
Sources
machines and mechanical equipments
Fireworks
music performances
vehicles
emergency sirens
Types of noise pollution
Industrial
transport
neighborhood
Effects
Contraction of blood vessels
Making skin pale
Excessive adrenalin in blood stream, which is reposnible for high blood
Muscle contraction that leads to nervous breakdowns, tension, etc.
Change in hormone levels , which increases heart rate, digestive spasms.
Affects work efficiency, behaviour.
Can damage the heart brain, kidneys, liver and causes emotional disturbance
Hearing impairment that diminishes part of the auditory system. Can lead to chronic damage to the inner ear
Blood thickens
affects optical system, pupillary dilation, impairment of nght vision, decrease in rate of colour perception
Sleep disorders and affecting slumber deepness
10,000 people in Europe face premature deaths due to noise pollution
Noise pollution is the second most harmful environmental factor to our health
Solutions
Noise barriers - over 3,000 km of noise barriers have been installed alongside European rail networks. They are even more widely used alongside roads in Austria, France, Poland, etc.
Break blocks for trains - decibel reduction 8-10db; A complete ban on noisy cast iron blocks is due to take place in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland by 2020
Building insulation - 10-15 db - it is unclear how widely acoustical architectural planning is used.
building design - 2-15 db.
Changing driving styles - 5-7 db. - quiter driving could be incorporated into existing campaigns promoting eco-driving to save fuel and reduce air pollution
Quit road surfaces - 3-7 db - low-noise surfaces are used in Denmark, the UK, etc. It implies using crumb rubber from end-of-life tyres, following a circular economy approach
Low-noise tyres - 3-4 db - several have been developed and are on sale on the European market
Land-use planning and design - computer models can predict noise exposure and identify areas unsuitable for development.
Electric cars - 1 db - they have potential to reduce noise
Traffic management - 1-4 db. - these strategies are widely used across Europe. In Paris and Valencia there is restricted access for heavy good vehicles
Vulnerable groups
infants
Children
People suffering from mental and physical illnesses
elderly people