Noise pollution, also called noise nuisance or environmental noise, is the transmission of unwanted noise, usually with wide-ranging effects on the activities of animal or human life, most often damaging at a low level. Noise pollution worldwide is caused mostly by vehicles, machinery, and transportation systems. It can be caused by sound from construction sites, airports, mines, communication lines, entertainment facilities, factories, and others. There are measures to check noise pollution in your workplace. This includes controlling sources of noise and the ways to reduce sound pollution in your environment.
Sources of noise may be outdoor or indoor sources. Outdoor noise sources can be noise generated by vehicles, machines, and others. These sources include noise created by construction sites, airport terminals, power stations, and others. Indoor noise can come from fans, heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans, television, radio, conversations with other people over the internet or cordless phones. These are some of the most common sources of noise.
Measures to check noise pollution in your workplace should start before noise becomes a problem. Knowing the sources of noise in your area is important. You can do this by consulting with your city, state, or federal office. Also, you can consult organizations that are devoted to noise control, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the United Kingdom Household Audio and Visual Club (AHAG).
Once you know the sources of noise in your area, your next step is to take control. For noise control, you can use hearing protection. If you have to work near noise sources, you can cover your ears with ear muffs or plugs. You can also invest in noise canceling headphones.
Another good way to minimize noise is by using sound absorbent materials. You can buy mats that can absorb sound from both outside and inside noises. There are also products that can be placed under chairs, tables, or anywhere where you would usually sit to work. Headphones with active noise canceling capabilities are also available.
You can also minimize the impact of noise on your health and the environment by being aware of your occupational noise exposure. Many construction and manufacturing companies are required to install noise control systems in their workplaces. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published recommendations that include a recommended maximum exposure level for various types of work, as well as recommended frequency levels. You should also consider the impact of personal noise sources, such as your iPod, mobile phone, or ear phones. If you are constantly exposed to loud music at work, you should consider reducing the number of hours you listen to them.
If you are not able to avoid all sources of external noise, you may want to consider sound masking techniques. This consists of blocking out sound sources with a sound reflecting material, such as white noise. Another option is to buy office equipment that creates white noise, so you can ignore it. It is up to you to choose the solution that best suits your lifestyle. You can also choose to use noise control products that actively reduce noise. Products such as office noise masking headsets can help to significantly reduce external noise while you are working.
It is important to note that there are effective ways to eliminate noise pollution in your workplace. A multi-level noise control system can effectively minimize unwanted noise from your office equipment, speakers, and even others in the same room. You can also take simple steps, such as eliminating background noise and avoiding prolonged exposure to irritating noise sources.
In order to take advantage of noise control products, it is important to understand why sound pollution occurs. There could be multiple reasons for this, which include the following. Construction sites produce high levels of noise, because of the constant drilling, hammering, cutting, and stacking. Heavy machinery and vehicles also create high levels of sound pollution because of the noise caused by tires rolling, engines, and other machinery.
There are also certain behaviors that can be considered as sound pollution. For example, chatting on a cellular phone or playing heavy games on your mobile device can be considered as noisy activities. Listening to music at full volume over the speakers while watching television can also be considered as noise pollution. Even the sound of the television set itself can produce noise.
Some sources of noise are unavoidable, such as that created by traffic noise. However, it is still possible to reduce the impact of these noises. Installing ear protection, using sound masking, and blocking out external ambient sounds can help significantly. Reducing the amount of time that you are exposed to these sounds may also help, as it reduces the amount of time that you are exposed to the damaging effects of noise.