One of the less regarded forms of pollution is noise pollution. Noise pollution, by definition, is the disturbing or excessive levels of noise that may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life. Medical research has proven that high levels of noise may contribute to cardiovascular problems, rise in blood pressure and coronary artery disease among humans.
Sound is measured in decibels (db) at logarithmic scale (meaning: a 10-fold increase in sound pressure for every 10 decibel increase). Noise pollution often results to partial or permanent hearing. Inefficiency to some type of human activities especially in offices and other work areas are common results of noise pollution. In some cases, noise pollution or the sustained exposure to noise also leads to accidents.
Industrial activities and technological products are largely contributory to noise pollution in contemporary history. And because of advances in technology, man had the capacity to produce more intense and frequent sounds. The absence of melody and an intensely high pitch makes these sounds fall in the noise category. The common source of noise is mainly caused by machines, equipment and transport systems, motor vehicles, airplanes and aircraft, and trains.
The term “environmental noise” is commonly used to describe outside noise. Indoor noise is caused by building machinery and equipment in workplaces; and enclosures where musical sounds are excessively increased such as disco pubs, karaoke dens, concert halls and street performances.
Poor urban planning is largely to be blamed for noise pollution. Industrial structures and buildings built beside and ear-shot proximity of residential areas commonly account for noise pollution cases or cases of environmental noise.