Question

Any two harmful effects of noise pollution on human health.

Answer 1

Hint: Noise pollution refers to the sound levels that lead to an adverse effect on living organisms. According to WHO noise beyond 85 dB may be hazardous to humans if exposed for more than 8 hours. Any sound below 70 dB does not damage humans or any other organisms.

Complete Answer:
WHO defines noise level above 65 dB as noise pollution, noise above 75 dB becomes harmful and above 120 dB becomes painful. In this specific question, we should know that noise pollution can cause health problems for people and wildlife both on land and sea. From traffic noise to rock concerts and other loud sounds can cause hearing loss, stress, sleep disturbances, etc. Noise from ships and human activities in the ocean is harmful to whales and dolphins that depend on echolocation to survive.

The most common health problem caused by noise pollution is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) it can be directly caused by noise pollution, listening to loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud drilling noises or other incidents in which noise level reaches to 140dB for adults and 120dB for children.


- Interference with speech Communication
- Sleep disturbance
- Cardiovascular and physiological effects
- Mental health effects
- Effects of noise on work performance
- Effects of noise on residential behavior and annoyance

According to WHO noise from traffic is one of the worst environmental impacts for humans after air pollution. According to some studies changes in the immune system and birth defects have been also attributed to noise pollution.

The world's top three noisiest cities are:-
1. Guangzhou, China
2. New Delhi, India
3. Cairo, Egypt

Governments should focus on correct noise management measures to control noise pollution like establishing regulations, the mandatory separation between residential and industrial areas, fines for exceeding noise limits, installation not noise insulation devices in buildings, etc.

Note: Children are more sensitive to noise pollution, and there are several diseases related to noise pollution that affect child development such as hearing impairment to psychological and physical effects in children. Dementia is not necessarily caused by noise pollution, but its onset can be favored by noise pollution.