When you think about pollution, your mind probably automatically turns to those types of pollution that you find more “threatening” such as air pollution and water pollution. But there is another type of pollution out there that may be negatively affecting your health-- noise pollution. Among other things, noise pollution can be a distraction for school children and can also cause insomnia.

How Noise Pollution is Measured

Noise and sound are measured in decibels. A decibel number of 65, for example, would cause distraction and is considered “intrusive.” This is about the level of your average, everyday traffic. Eighty decibels is considered annoying and is approximately the loudness of an alarm clock. Neither one of these is dangerous to your hearing, but can impair your ability to sleep. A decibel level of around 88 would occur in city traffic or in industrial work. Individuals exposed to this noise level for a lengthy period of time may experience actual hearing damage.

Once the decibel level goes above 80, prolonged exposure such as eight hours or more may cause increased tension, fatigue, changes in breathing, blood circulation and of course, loss of hearing. Sound at the level of 135 decibels is beyond annoying and intrusive, it becomes simply painful and can damage your hearing. A pneumatic drill would cause a sound like this.

Noise Pollution and Insomnia

Often people equate certain sounds with the promise of a good night’s sleep, such as rain and thunder, crickets, waves etc. For this reason, noise makers and fountains are often popular sleep aids. But these pleasant sounds are not the same as the “noise” that may be causing you to lose sleep. Noise can keep you from falling to sleep but it can also awake you if you are already asleep. Sleep-deprived individuals can feel lethargic and drowsy the entire day.

Lack of Concentration

Noise pollution can also inhibit the ability for school children and members of America’s work force to concentrate. Outside noise is especially troublesome for students who struggle with English as a second language. These students may have a hard enough time understanding what the teacher is saying much less being complicated by the affects of noise.

info@environmentalhealththreats.com