Sound is one of the environmental influences for all living organisms, including humans. Machines, propagating systems, and transport systems are easily argued to be the grassroots sources of loud sounds (Morillas 214). In nature, loud sounds are rare, and the noise is relatively weak and short-lived. The combination of sound stimuli gives animals and humans the time necessary to assess their character and form a response. But high-power noises affect the hearing aid and nerve centers (Black). Noise surrounds us everywhere: at home, on the street, at school, but few people know how noise affects the human body. Compared to other various surroundings, noise pollution is mainly concentrated in urban areas. Noise that causes pollution in urban areas comes from different sources including, transport systems, construction activities, poor urban planning, industrialization, and various social events. Indeed, noise pollution has allot of effects on humans. The effects of noise pollution are still being studied, but the issue has been identified as a significant concern for public health and safety.
People lived surrounded by noise for their entire existence, but natural sounds can hardly be called an irritating factor. One of the root causes of noise pollution is the noise from transport (Brown). It has a negative impact on a person around the clock, and especially it is felt at night when the body requires rest. My friend said about this, “the noise from cars and equipment is a big problem, but there is no getting away from it.” A person who constantly falls under the influence of sounds may have a mental health disorder and insomnia. My aunt explained, “I started having trouble sleeping as soon as I moved to the city.” Therefore, sound pollution is a problem that people should take seriously.
Another reason for the noise is loud parties at night. Even though it is illegal, it does not stop teenagers. The noise interferes with the residents of neighboring houses; moreover, small children wake up because of the noise (Howard). My sister notes, “when I put my child to bed, I’m afraid that he will wake up because someone has started a party.” Moreover, loud noises at night and insomnia reduce concentration and cause headaches. My uncle believes that “if I could somehow isolate myself from the noise, then my work would proceed much better, and I would not suffer from headaches.” Therefore, noise significantly affects our physical condition.
Industrialization is also among the main causes of sound pollution in an urban setup and, more specifically, Los Angeles. Industries produce a lot of noise that is even considered a pollution of noise due to the relentless use of big machines in the industries (Bilaşco 214). The sound is too much that even the workers in those industries are forced to find means of preventing the loud noises from harming them. These sounds emanating from these industries affect the people in Los Angeles in various ways. My friend notes, “the area around industries is out of bound to him because of his hearing problems.” Industries produce the loudest noise compared to other sources of noise pollution (Smith). However, most of the industries are located away from the human population. Most people I have interacted with believe that “industries in Los Angeles should be even moved further.” These industries hinder the growth of the city to some extent, even due to their location. Indeed, noises from the industries should be avoided at all costs.
The poor urban planning of the city contributes significantly to noise pollution. This occurs in different ways including, big families forced to share a small space, not enough parking lots, congested houses, and proximity between residential and industrial buildings (Anees 10). This factor does not produce a lot of noise considered to others, but then it is almost impossible for someone to avoid the noise pollution caused by poor urban planning. My parent believes that “if we had grown in a rural urban setup, we would be better health-wise”. This is because they have tried as much as they could, but nothing has worked. Therefore, we are forced to live with this noise pollution. My brother says, “my hearing process is compromised due to the noise pollution.” The noises pollution due to this factor lead to hearing problems. Clearly, living with this kind of noise pollution seems normal, but it causes a lot of harm.
Construction activities in urban areas are constant, and they lead to noise pollution. People are daily putting up new infrastructures, and these activities contribute to the noise pollution in cities (Bilaşco 219). Compared to other causes of noise pollution, construction activities are less disturbing since the construction of a certain infrastructure takes a certain period of time. There is no other construction there, and therefore no noise pollution caused. However, when there is a construction activity, a lot of noise is produced by this activity. My friend said, “constructions happening in city always have many negative impacts.” Constructions often lead to a traffic of cars leading to more noise in the surrounding. However, we have to adapt to survive with construction activities taking place. My colleague narrates to me, “constructions in the city has affected me a lot and in a negative way.” Construction has made him get late to his business late and feel uncomfortable. When there is no control of traffic, construction can lead to a lot of delays.
Noise from air traffic in a city setup is also enough to cause noise pollution. Transport through the air is most common in the cities, and therefore a lot of noise is produced (Di 120). The noise pollution may not be as much as the pollution due to other factors, but it is significant. My friend who lives near the airport notes,” it is not easy to live in such an area.” The noise from the air traffic is very disturbing. In the city, airplanes are constantly landing and taking off; hence there is no time the place has silence. My brother once noted,” living beside an airport must be very uncomfortable.” The discomfort is due to the noise caused by the airplanes. Air traffic causes a lot of noise that cannot be neglected.
In conclusion, people cannot notice that they are exposed to noise, which leads to negative consequences. The effects of noise pollution are still being studied, but the issue has been identified as a significant concern for public health and safety. Noise pollution comes from different sources including, transport systems, construction activities, poor urban planning, industrialization, and various social events. Industries produce the loudest noise compared to other sources of noise pollution. Noise pollution causes many physical, mental, and physiological disorders. Indeed, noise pollution is a key issue that needs to be addressed with an immediate effect.
Works Cited
Anees, Malik Muhammad, Muhammad Qasim, and Aroj Bashir. “Physiological and physical impact of noise pollution on environment.” Earth Science Pakistan 1.1 (2017): 08-11.
Bilaşco, Ştefan, et al. “GIS model for identifying urban areas vulnerable to noise pollution: case study.” Frontiers of Earth Science 11.2 (2017): 214-228.
Black, John. Personal interview. 2021.
Brown, Rosy. Personal interview. 2021.
Buxton, Rachel T., et al. “Noise pollution is pervasive in US protected areas.” Science 356.6337 (2017): 531-533.
Di, Hui, et al. “Estimation of the quality of an urban acoustic environment based on traffic noise evaluation models.” Applied Acoustics 141 (2018): 115-124.
Howard, Jessika. Personal interview. 2021.
Morillas, Juan Miguel Barrigón, et al. “Noise pollution and urban planning.” Current Pollution Reports 4.3 (2018): 208-219.
Smith, Helen. Interview. 2021.