Noise pollution is GENERALLY defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms.

According to the World Health Organization, sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless of how long or consistent the exposure is. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise beyond 85 dB may be hazardous. If you WORK for 8 hours daily in close proximity to a busy road or highway, you are very likely exposed to traffic noise pollution around 85dB.

This TYPE of pollution is so omnipresent in today’s society that we often fail to even notice it anymore:

• street traffic sounds from cars, buses, pedestrians, AMBULANCES etc.
• construction sounds like drilling or other heavy machinery in operation
• airports, with constant elevated sounds from air traffic, i.e. planes taking off or landing
• workplace sounds, often common in open-space offices
• constant loud music in or near commercial venues
• industrial sounds like fans, generators, compressor, mills
• train stations traffic
• household sounds, from the television set to music playing on the STEREO or computer, vacuum cleaners, fans and coolers, washing machines, dishwashers, lawnmowers etc.
• events involving fireworks, firecrackers, loudspeakers etc.
• conflicts generate noise pollution through explosions, gunfire etc. The dysfunctions, in this case, are likely caused by the conflict and insecurity and less by the noise pollution in itself, although that compounds stress levels too.

Whether we realize we are subjected to it or not, noise pollution can be hazardous to our health in various ways. Hypertension, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, various cardiovascular dysfunctions, etc. Not only us but the animal and the marine life is also being effected by the same.