7.8 Noise Pollution

What is noise pollution?

Noise pollution is unwanted or excessive sound that disrupts normal activity, harms health, or disturbs wildlife. Sources include traffic, airports, construction, industry, and urban development. Sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB), and prolonged exposure above ~85 dB can damage hearing and increase stress-related health problems in humans.

Effects on humans and wildlife

Chronic noise exposure causes hearing loss, sleep disruption, elevated blood pressure, and stress. In animals, noise interferes with communication, mating calls, navigation, and predator detection, potentially causing species to abandon habitats. Marine noise from ships and sonar can disrupt whale and dolphin echolocation, leading to stranding or disorientation.

Reducing noise pollution

Mitigation strategies include sound barriers/walls, urban zoning laws, noise ordinances, quieter machinery, and vegetation buffers. Insulating buildings, limiting flight paths near residential areas, and enforcing vehicle noise limits also help. Reducing noise improves quality of life and helps protect sensitive wildlife populations.

Key terms

Noise pollution

Unwanted or excessive sound that disrupts activity, health, or wildlife behavior.

Decibel (dB)

Unit used to measure the intensity or loudness of sound.

Human health effects of noise

Hearing loss, elevated blood pressure, sleep disruption, and increased stress.

Effect on marine mammals

Ship/sonar noise disrupts echolocation, causing disorientation or stranding in whales and dolphins.

Noise mitigation strategies

Sound barriers, zoning laws, noise ordinances, quieter machinery, and vegetation buffers.

Try an AP-style question

What is noise pollution?

1. Excess light at night
2. Chemical runoff into water
3. Particles released into the air
4. Harmful or disruptive levels of sound