Noise pollution possesses a number of hazardous impacts on the human health.
The ongoing noise pollution is considered as a dreadful threat to the humanity and wildlife. It refers to the excessive amount of unpleasing sound present in the environment. It generally occurs due to several man-made activities like transportation, industries, construction, generators and more. When these sources generate sounds that cross a certain range, it results in noise pollution. This is a major concern as it harms both the physical and mental health of human beings in various ways. Also, millions of people die each year due to the prolonged exposure to noise pollution.
Here are six disastrous effects of noise pollution on human health:
Hearing loss: Hearing loss is the most common health impact of noise pollution. The loud noises damage the fluid that carries the sound information from ears to the brain. So, the entire auditory system gets blocked, which eventually results in causing permanent hearing loss. This is often associated with Tinnitus that refers to the persistent buzzing noise in one or both ears. It occurs when we continuously get exposed to sound with 85 or more decibels of intensity.
Stress: Several studies have shown that exposure to too much noise promotes the release of stress hormones (such as cortisol) in your body. This leads you to chronic stress and other psychological issues.
Cognitive issues: We hear something as the sound waves that enter into the ears are carried to the brain. When high intensity waves reach the brain, it disrupts the cells located inside it, which result in reducing the cognitive functions. It reduces concentration levels, causes poor memory, lowers the response rates and more.
Poor sleep pattern: Noise pollution causes stress which is a major reason behind poor sleep pattern. Also, it creates irritation within the brain cells, which doesn't let you sleep peacefully at night. This is a serious condition as it leads you to several other critical health issues over time.
Headache: Noise dilates the blood vessels in the brain, which is a major trigger of migraine. This has a number of symptoms including severe headache. Stress and poor sleep pattern also contribute to chronic headache.
Cardiovascular diseases: When you get exposed to noise pollution, it increases the blood pressure levels in your body. So, the heart now works harder to pump blood throughout the body, which raises the heartbeat rates. Several studies have found that a regular exposure to noise leads you to a number of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack.
Noise pollution also has several other negative health effects such as diabetes, respiratory disorders, gastritis, colitis etc.
