Skip to content

BuzzEnviro.com

All about Environment

  • Home
  • Environment
    • Climate Crisis
    • Planet Earth
    • Pollution
    • Recycling & waste
  • Home & Garden
    • Gardening
    • Green Living
  • Wild Life
    • Wildlife
    • Endangered species
    • Animal Rights
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Toggle search form
Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution And Its Impact On Environment

Posted on June 27, 2024June 27, 2024 By Buzz Enviro

When was the last time you were in a place that wasn’t disrupted by human noise? We may have gotten used to hearing the hum of traffic in the distance and the hum of planes in the sky, but there isn’t a place that isn’t affected by some form of noise pollution.

Noise pollution is a form of pollution that goes beyond the noise levels of the environment and has a negative impact on humans and animals alike. It is a form of environmental degradation that is caused by humans. Noise pollution can put animals under stress, have a negative impact on their health, and even cause behavioral alterations in birds. A study on the impact of noise on birds

Noise pollution is when the frequencies emitted interfere with information transmission in animals, especially those that use a similar frequency for communication. For example, noise pollution can lead to increased anti-predation behaviors in non-predatory situations. Noise pollution can also affect species vocalization. It can also lead to an increase in stress and stress-related diseases. And it can have a negative impact on populations.

What is Noise Pollution?

Noise Pollution is a type of noise that is not intended to be heard. Noise pollution typically refers to work noise, rather than social noise or noise from the environment, such as construction.

In the European Union, approximately 56 million people live in regions with a population over 250,000. These areas are more exposed to traffic noise than average. In the United States of America, there is evidence that noise from street traffic is increasing in California and is increasing at 6.7 decibels per hour (DBA).

Noise pollution’s impact on the environment can be classified as:

1. Chronic Contamination:- Hearing loss is caused by long-term exposure to noise pollution.

2. Temporary Contamination with Physiological Damage:- An example of exposure to a restricted noise source is an exposure to explosives.

    3. Temporary Pollution Without Damage:- Like street noise, continuous noise for a short time can cause temporary hearing loss.

    Low frequency noise, on the other hand, is the background noise that is produced in urban settings, such as by air conditioning systems or vehicles. Traffic makes up 80% of environmental noise. Animals can be affected by traffic noise, as it can reduce their ability to forage, and birds can be affected by it, as it can damage their reproductive system.

    Examples of Noise Pollution

    New York City, United States

      Noise pollution in New York City is consistently cited as the number one quality of life issue facing New Yorkers. Sound pressure levels in midtown Manhattan were reported to be 70 to 85dB, above average and at a level that is hazardous to health. More than two million New Yorkers reported being disturbed from sleep at least once a week, and 78% said they were disturbed three or more times a week. According to a study on the effects of noise on sleep, traffic noise was responsible for 53% of sleep disturbance.

      Measured locations with noise levels higher than 70dB increased the risk of hearing loss, particularly in areas with high traffic volume, during the early and late morning and evening commute periods, and in all areas of Manhattan, as assessed in an assessment of noise at street-level New York City. The highest noise measurements occurred when sirens were present, heavy pedestrian traffic was present, or when construction was going on. Street-level noises make up 4% of the total noise exposure for the NYC public.

      Effects of Noise Pollution on Wildlife

      Animals are the most affected by noise pollution. Noise can interfere with an animal’s ability to hear acoustic signals, interfere with courtship behaviour, reduce egg production in birds, and reduce the number of offspring reaching reproductive age. When an animal detects an acoustic signal, noise can be produced at the same frequencies as the animal’s vocalization’s and can interfere with information transmission.

      Whether you’re an amphibian, arachnid, bird, or fish, or you’re a mammal, shellfish, or reptile, noise can have a knock-on effect.

      Whether you’re an amphibian, arachnid, bird, or fish, or a mammal, shellfish, or reptile, noise can have an impact on any of these creatures.

      How Noise Affects Animals?

      1. Hampers Communication

      Vocalisation and other signals are the primary means of communication for most animals. When interference is present, it makes it difficult for animals to locate their partners, alert them to potential threats, mark their territory, and coordinate group activity.

      2. Disrupts Reproduction

      Noise pollution can be disruptive to breeding behaviour and reduce reproductive success. For example, loud noises in the vicinity of nesting sites can encourage birds to leave their nests.

        3. It compromises dwindling habitat

        The impact of noise on habitat quality, which is already at an all-time low.

        4. It alters Foraging Patterns

        Noise can have a negative impact on the way animals are able to find food. For instance, the sound of ships can lead to marine mammals not being able to locate certain places to feed.

        5. It leads to stress and health issues

        Like humans, long-term exposure to loud and continuous noise can cause chronic stress for non-human pets, which can have a variety of negative consequences.

        6. It drowns out Environmental Cues

          Environmental noise pollution can reduce the ability of animals to hear vital signals that they have long used to navigate and locate prey or predators.

          7. It disorients and can cause strandings

          In particular, underwater noise, such as from boats or oil rigs, can cause marine animals to become disoriented and end up stranded on the beach or collide with boats.

            How to Reduce Noise Pollution 

            Noise Pollution

            The study found that trees can be used to reduce noise pollution by reducing the area where noise is generated and increasing the presence of trees with tree belts at least 12m wide. In urban areas, trees can act as a barrier against noise pollution. Another study found that planting tree belts at 30m width on the roadside can reduce noise pollution by over 6dB more than if a grassland were to be planted. More trees, branches and leaves can reduce noise pollution. 

            Many U.S. state and local governments have regulations in place to limit noise pollution. For instance, New York has a regulation that focuses on occupational noise exposure. This includes monitoring noise and providing personal protective equipment (PPE). Many state and local governments across the U.S have their own noise pollution regulations; however, many of these focus on the human effects of noise pollution rather than the environmental effects.

            author avatar
            Buzz Enviro
            See Full Bio
            Environment, Pollution Tags:Effects of Noise Pollution?, Examples of Noise Pollution?, How Noise affects Animals?, How to reduce Noise Pollution?, What is Noise Pollution?

            Post navigation

            Previous Post: What are the Strangest Plants on Earth
            Next Post: What are the Benefits of Bioplastics?

            More Related Articles

            Clean Energy A Tax Break on Clean Energy is coming to Coal and Oil Towns Environment
            Venomous Snake All About Most Venomous Snakes Animal Rights
            Eco-Friendly kitchen products Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products that will improve your Sustainability  Environment
            Difference between mineral and ore What is the Difference Between Mineral and Ore? Environment
            Do Plants have feeling Do Plants have feeling?  Environment
            Fugitive Emissions What are Fugitive Emissions and their Impacts?  Environment

            Follow us:

            • Instagram
            • Facebook
            • LinkedIn
            • Pinterest
            • Medium

            Recent Posts

            • Effective Plastic Waste Management: Principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
            • Top 10 Rare Butterflies:- Most Unique and Stunning Species on Earth
            • 10 Simple Steps to Start Living a Zero Waste Lifestyle
            • Fascinating Facts About Sand Dollars? 
            • Top 10 Cool Snakes You Need to Know About

            Categories

            • Animal Rights
            • Climate Crisis
            • Endangered species
            • Environment
            • Environment News
            • Environmental News
            • Foodie
            • Gardening
            • Green Living
            • Home & Garden
            • Ocean Plants
            • Planet Earth
            • Pollution
            • Recycling & waste
            • Uncategorized
            • Wild Life
            • wildlife

            Copyright © 2025 BuzzEnviro.com.

            Powered by PressBook Green WordPress theme

            Go to mobile version