Noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life.

The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor
vehicles, aircraft, and trains.
[3][4]
Outdoor noise is summarized by the word environmental noise. Poor urban
planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise
pollution in the residential areas.
Indoor noise can be caused by machines, building activities, and music performances, especially in some
workplaces. There is no great difference whether noise-induced hearing loss is brought about by outside (e.g. trains)
or inside (e.g. music) noise.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a rise in blood pressure, and an increase in
stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased incidence of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase
the risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and navigation, and
contribute to permanent hearing loss.
Health[edit]
Human[edit]

A sound level meter, a basic tool in measuring sound.
Main article: Health effects from noise
Noise pollution effects both health and behavior. Unwanted sound (noise) can damage psychological health. Noise
pollution can causehypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful
effects.
[5][6][7][8]

Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts
or diminishes ones quality of life.
[9]

Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males exposed to significant occupational
noise demonstrate moresignificantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers, though differences in
hearing sensitivity decrease with time and the two groups are indistinguishable by age 79.
[10]
A comparison
of Maaban tribesmen, who were insignificantly exposed to transportation or industrial noise, to a typical U.S.
population showed that chronic exposure to moderately high levels of environmental noise contributes to heari ng
loss.
[5]

High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to moderately high levels during a single
eight-hour period causes a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to ten points and an increase
in stress,
[5]
and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressure noted above, as well as to increased
incidence of coronary artery disease.
Noise pollution also is a cause of annoyance. A 2005 study by Spanish researchers found that in urban areas
households are willing to pay approximately four Euros per decibel per year for noise reduction.
[11]

Wildlife[edit]
Noise can have a detrimental effect on wild animals, increasing the risk of death by changing the delicate balance in
predator or prey detection and avoidance, and interfering the use of the sounds in communication, especially in
relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.
An impact of noise on wild animal life is the reduction of usable habitat that noisy areas may cause, which in the case
of endangered species may be part of the path to extinction. Noise pollution may have caused the death of certain
species of whales that beached themselves after being exposed to the loud sound of military sonar,
[12]
(see
also Marine mammals and sonar).
Noise also makes species communicate more loudly, which is called Lombard vocal response.
[13]
Scientists and
researchers have conducted experiments that show whales' song length is longer when submarine-detectors are
on.
[14]
If creatures do not "speak" loudly enough, their voice will be masked by anthropogenic sounds. These unheard
voices might be warnings, finding of prey, or preparations of net-bubbling. When one species begins speaking more
loudly, it will mask other species' voice, causing the whole ecosystem eventually to speak more loudly.
Marine invertebrates, such as crabs (Carcinus maenas), have also been shown to be impacted by ship
noise.
[15][16]
Larger crabs were noted to be impacted more by the sounds than smaller crabs. Repeated exposure to
the sounds did lead to acclimatization.
[16]

European Robins living in urban environments are more likely to sing at night in places with high levels of noise
pollution during the day, suggesting that they sing at night because it is quieter, and their message can propagate
through the environment more clearly.
[17]
The same study showed that daytime noise was a stronger predictor of
nocturnal singing than night-time light pollution, to which the phenomenon often is attributed.
Zebra finches become less faithful to their partners when exposed to traffic noise. This could alter a popul ation's
evolutionary trajectory by selecting traits, sapping resources normally devoted to other activities and thus leading to
profound genetic and evolutionary consequences.
[18]

In a first of its kind preliminary study on the Health effects from noise as it relates to weight gain and
blood cortisol levels in farm animals, in this study, two groups of growing geese, the first "remain[ing] within" 50
meters from a wind turbine and the second 500 meters; after 12 weeks of growth the research group found that the
closer, first group, had "significant differences" when compared with its more distant pairing and "gained less weight
and had a higher concentration of cortisol in blood," compared to individuals from the more distant group, with the
results of the study suggesting "a negative effect of the immediate vicinity of a wind turbine on the stress parameters
of geese and their productivity."
[19]

Noise mitigation[edit]

The sound tube in Melbourne, Australiais designed to reduce roadway noise without distracting from the area's
aesthetics
A man wears ear muffs for protection against noise pollution, 1973.
Main article: Noise mitigation
Roadway noise can be reduced by the use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of roadway
surface texture, limitation of heavy vehicles, use of traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and
acceleration, and tire design. An important factor in applying these strategies is a computer model for roadway noise,
that is capable of addressing local topography, meteorology, traffic operations, and hypothetical mitigation. Costs of
building-in mitigation can be modest, provided these solutions are sought in the planning stage of a roadway project.
Aircraft noise can be reduced by using quieter jet engines. Altering flight paths and time of day runway has benefitted
residents near airports.
Industrial noise has been addressed since the 1930s via redesign of industrial equipment, shock mounted assemblies
and physical barriers in the workplace. In recent years, Buy Quiet programs and initiatives have arisen in an effort to
combat occupational noise exposures. These programs promote the purchase of quieter tools and equipment and
encourage manufacturers to design quieter equipment.
[20]

Legal status[edit]
Main article: Noise regulation
Up until the 1970s governments viewed noise as a "nuisance" rather than an environmental problem. In the United
States, there are federal standards for highway and aircraft noise; states and local governments typically have very
specific statutes on building codes,urban planning, and roadway development.
Noise laws and ordinances vary widely among municipalities and indeed do not even exist in some cities. An
ordinance may contain a general prohibition against making noise that is a nuisance, or it may set out specific
guidelines for the level of noise allowable at certain times of the day and for certain activities.
The Environmental Protection Agency retains authority to investigate and study noise and its effect, disseminate
information to the public regarding noise pollution and its adverse health effects, respond to inquiries on matters
related to noise, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations for protecting the public health and welfare,
pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 and the Quiet Communities Act of 1978.
[21]

Portland, Oregon instituted the first comprehensive noise code in 1975 with funding from the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) and HUD (Housing and Urban Development). The Portland Noise Code includes potential fines of
up to $5000 per infraction and is the basis for other major U.S. and Canadian city noise ordinances.
[22]

Many conflicts over noise pollution are handled by negotiation between the emitter and the receiver. Escalation
procedures vary by country, and may include action in conjunction with local authorities, in particular the police.
Internationally[edit]
Impact in the United Kingdom[edit]
Figures compiled by Rockwool, the mineral wool insulation manufacturer, based on responses from local authorities
to a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request reveal in the period April 2008 2009 UK councils received 315,838
complaints about noise pollution from private residences. This resulted in environmental health officers across the UK
serving 8,069 noise abatement notices or citations under the terms of the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act. In the
last 12 months, 524 confiscations of equipment have been authorized involving the removal of powerful speakers,
stereos and televisions. Westminster City Council has received more complaints per head of population than any
other district in the UK with 9,814 grievances about noise, which equates to 42.32 complaints per thousand residents.
Eight of the top 10 councils ranked by complaints per 1,000 residents are located inLondon.
[23]

India[edit]
Noise pollution is a major problem in India. The government of India has regulations against firecrackers and
loudspeakers, but enforcement is extremely lax.
[24]
Awaaz Foundation is an Indian NGO working to control noise
pollution from various sources in Mumbai through advocacy, public interest litigation, awareness, and educational
campaigns since 2003.
[25]

Causes of Noise Pollution
1. Industrialization: Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing large amount of noise.
Apart from that, various equipments like compressors, generators, exhaust fans, grinding mills also participate in
producing big noise. Therefore, you must have seen workers in these factories and industries wearing ear plugs to
minimize the effect of noise.
2. Poor Urban Planning: In most of the developing countries, poor urban planning also play a vital role. Congested
houses, large families sharing small space, fight over parking, frequent fights over basic amenities leads to noise
pollution which may disrupt the environment of society.
3. Social Events: Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties, pub, disc or place
of worship, people normally flout rules set by the local administration and create nuisance in the area. People play
songs on full volume and dance till midnight which makes the condition of people living nearby pretty worse. In
markets, you can see people selling clothes via making loud noise to attract the attention of people.
4. Transportation: Large number of vehicles on roads, aeroplanes flying over houses, underground trains produce
heavy noise and people get it difficult to get accustomed to that. The high noise leads to a situation wherein a normal
person lose the ability to hear properly.
5. Construction Activities: Under construction activities like mining, construction of bridges, dams, buildings,
stations, roads, flyovers take place in almost every part of the world. These construction activities take place
everyday as we need more buildings, bridges to accommodate more people and to reduce traffic congestion. The
down point is that these construction equipments are too noisy.
6. Household Chores: We people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily life. Gadgets like
TV, mobile , mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners , washing machine and dryer, cooler, air conditioners
are minor contributors to the amount of noise that is produced but it affects the quality of life of your neighborhood in
a bad way.
While this form of pollution may seem harmless, it in fact has far reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the
health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife affected by the pollution, humans also face a
number of problems due to it.
Effects of Noise Pollution
1. Hearing Problems: Any unwanted sound that our ears have not been built to filter can cause problems within the
body. Our ears can take in a certain range of sounds without getting damaged. Man made noises such as
jackhammers, horns, machinery, airplanes and even vehicles can be too loud for our hearing range. Constant
exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our ear drums and loss of hearing. It also reduces
our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our bodys rhythm.
2. Health Issues: Excessive noise pollution in working areas such as offices, construction sites, bars and even in our
homes can influence psychological health. Studies show that the occurrence of aggressive behavior, disturbance of
sleep, constant stress, fatigue and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. These in turn can cause
more severe and chronic health issues later in life.
3. Sleeping Disorders: Loud noise can certainly hamper your sleeping pattern and may lead to irritation and
uncomfortable situations. Without a good night sleep, it may lead to problems related to fatigue and your performance
may go down in office as well as at home. It is therefore recommended to take a sound sleep to give your body
proper rest.
4. Cardiovascular Issues: Blood pressure levels, cardio-vascular disease and stress related heart problems are on
the rise. Studies suggest that high intensity noise causes high blood pressure and increases heart beat rate as it
disrupts the normal blood flow. Bringing them to a manageable level depends on our understanding noise pollution
and how we tackle it.
5. Trouble Communicating: High decibel noise can put trouble and may not allow two people to communicate
freely. This may lead to misunderstanding and you may get difficult understanding the other person. Constant sharp
noise can give you severe headache and disturb your emotional balance.
6. Effect on Wildlife: Wildlife faces far more problems than humans because noise pollution since they are more
dependent on sound. Animals develop a better sense of hearing than us since their survival depends on it. The ill
effects of excessive noise begin at home. Pets react more aggressively in households where there is constant noise.
- See more at: http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-noise-
pollution.php#sthash.1Jq8Y83h.dpuf
Noise control
Noise control or noise mitigation is a set of strategies to reduce noise pollution or to reduce the
impact of that noise, whether outdoors or indoors. The main areas of noise mitigation or abatement
are: transportation noise control, architectural design, urban planning through zoning
codes,
[1]
andoccupational noise control. Roadway noise and aircraft noise are the most pervasive
sources of environmental noise worldwide, and little change has been effected in source control in
these areas since the start of the problem,
[citation needed]
a possible exception being the development
of hybrid andelectric vehicles. Social activities may generate noise levels that consistently affect the
health of populations residing in or occupying areas, both indoor and outdoor, near entertainment
venues that feature amplified sounds and music that present significant challenges for effective
noise mitigation strategies.
Multiple techniques have been developed to address interior sound levels, many of which are
encouraged by local building codes; in the best case of project designs, planners are encouraged to
work with design engineers to examine trade-offs of roadway design and architectural design. These
techniques include design of exterior walls, party walls, and floor and ceiling assemblies; moreover,
there are a host of specialized means for damping reverberation from special-purpose rooms such
as auditoria, concert halls, entertainment and social venues, dining areas, audio recording rooms,
and meeting rooms.
Many of these techniques rely upon materials science applications of constructing sound baffles or
using sound-absorbing liners for interior spaces. Industrial noise control is really a subset of interior
architectural control of noise, with emphasis upon specific methods of sound isolation from industrial
machinery and for protection of workers at their task stations.
Sound masking is the active addition of noise to reduce the annoyance of certain sounds; the
opposite of soundproofing.
Field Code Changed
noise pollution prevention and control tips

Below are a few things people and governments can do to make our communities and
living laces quieter:

Construction of soundproof rooms for noisy machines in industrial and
manufacturing installations must be encouraged. This is also important for residential
buildingnoisy machines should be installed far from sleeping and living rooms, like in
a basement or garage.

Use of horns with jarring sounds, motorbikes with damaged exhaust pipes, noisy
trucks to be banned.

Noise producing industries, airports, bus and transport terminals and railway
stations to sighted far from where living places.

Community law enforcers should check the misuse of loudspeakers, worshipers,
outdoor parties and discos, as well as public announcements systems.

Community laws must silence zones near schools / colleges, hospitals etc.

Vegetation (trees) along roads and in residential areas is a good way to reduce noise
pollution as they absorb sound.