The Effects Of Noise Pollution

For about a week or so, I had a constant migraine headache coupled with a searing pain on my left shoulder, which spread down to my left arm and the left side of my body. I really do not want to give it a name – but I know those in the medical field already know what I’m talking about. It was an excruciating pain that stayed with me all week and I had to pray fervently, and when I did I found relief.

Some might say; “Why didn’t you just go to the hospital to see a doctor?” The truth is I don’t like hospitals and neither do I like taking drugs. And for your information, my younger sister is a medical doctor. She would have freaked out if she heard what happened and I didn’t let her know. Anyway to cut a long story short, the bottom line of this current happening in my life was triggered by the high level of noise I had been exposed to the previous week. I went somewhere and the loud speakers which were mounted were more than the size of the auditorium. And of course the room wasn’t adequately ‘padded’ to absorb the loud noise emanating from the speakers. In other words, everyone seated there that day were actually exposed to dangerous levels of noise which I’m very sure of it, was above 85 – 90 decibels. I knew my blood pressure shot up as the screeching sound of the speaker seemed to pierce through my brain and reverberated through my entire being! I actually didn’t know I was seated just a few blocks away from one of the gigantic loud speakers when the speaker in person mounted the stage to deliver his message. This is a perfect scenario of noise pollution.

Noise and sounds are two very different phenomena. Noise is unwanted sound and it is a pollutant, because it occurs where it is not wanted. However, sound is needed and essential for everyday living. Without sound the environment will be dull, unexciting, and communication will be greatly stifled. But when this sound constitutes a threat to normal human hearing, it is then considered a stress and has significant physical and psychological effects on people of all ages.

A passerby with a radio on his shoulder blasting loud music at very high frequency levels is an example of noise pollution. The loud blaring sound from electric generating plants at high frequency levels to help power businesses, as a result of lack of electricity is another example of noise pollution. Neighbours yelling at each other which constitutes disturbances to other apartment users is regarded as noise pollution. The loud honking of a car horn without regard for or consideration to other human beings can be categorized as noise pollution. Noise is measured in decibels; with one decibel the least human ear can detect. So if noises are above 85 to 90 decibels, it is considered dangerous to hearing and human health.

Noise levels should be checked individually and environmentally. Again I strongly believe that the Ministry of Environment at all government levels needs to also address this issue. By placing an embargo on street vendors who blare loud music from their CD decks in order to sell their products or publicity stunts pulled by so called marketers who blare loud music from speakers mounted on trucks in the bid to sell their products, this will go a long way in sustaining a peaceful environment for people to live, work and play.

Secondly, creating an awareness of the negative effects of noise pollution to human and public health by organizing seminars, and programmes which will educate and inform individuals and the public will go a long way to eliminating this stress caused by noise.