Noise pollution has become a part of everyday life, especially for residents who live in urban areas. Without realizing it, noise pollution can actually have a negative impact on health, ranging from hearing problems, sleep disorders, to an increased risk of heart problems.
Those of you who live in urban areas must be familiar with the noise from vehicle engines, construction projects, industrial activities, or loud noises from neighboring houses. Not only that, you may often hear noise when you use it headset.
Although some people may be used to it and don't think of noise pollution as a dangerous thing, various health studies show that continuous exposure to noise pollution can lead to health problems.
Bad Impact of Noise Pollution
There are many bad effects of noise pollution on human health, including:
1. Hearing Loss
People who are often exposed to noise pollution are at high risk of hearing loss, especially if the intensity of the sound they often hear exceeds 75-85 decibels (dB) and lasts for a long time.
For example, a soft whisper equals 30 dB, the sound of busy highway traffic or the sound of a vacuum cleaner (vacuum cleaner) has an intensity of 80 dB, while the intensity of the sound on a chainsaw can reach 110 dB.
Sounds above normal intensity can weaken the ability of hearing cells in the ear. If you are exposed to loud noises too often, you can hear ringing in your ears (tinnitus). This tinnitus can be temporary, but it can also become permanent if exposure to loud noises is long-term.
Hearing loss due to noise pollution can interfere with the ability to understand speech, difficulty concentrating, and interfere with daily productivity.
2. Sleep Disorders
Quality sleep with sufficient duration (about 7-9 hours for adults) is very important for physical and mental health. The quality of a person's sleep can be reduced if there is noise around him during his sleep.
Sounds above 33 dB at night can trigger the body's natural reactions that can disrupt sleep quality. Not sleeping well will affect mood, cause fatigue, to reduce memory and concentration.
Sleep disturbances due to exposure to noise pollution that is too frequent can cause stress and reduce quality of life.
3. Cognitive disorders
Prolonged noise can affect cognitive abilities (learning and thinking), both in adults and children. People who often hear noise at work are more at risk of having difficulty remembering, concentrating, and regulating emotions.
A health research also shows that exposure to noise pollution that is too frequent in children can affect the ability to learn, concentrate, and remember. In infants and toddlers, this can result in speech delays.
4. Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is a disease related to the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disorders caused by noise pollution are actually related to sleep disorders.
Sleep is an activity that is very important because at this time the body rests and repairs damaged tissue, and collects energy again. If the quality of sleep is disturbed, then the body's organs can experience decreased function, including the heart and blood vessels.
These effects will start to be seen if you are exposed to noise above 65 dB every day in the long term. Exposure to noise will activate the body's stress response in the form of the production of the hormone cortisol (stress hormone) which results in an increase in blood pressure, blood viscosity, and heart rate.
5. Mental disorders
Noise pollution can increase a person's risk for mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, stress, anxiety, unstable emotions, and even aggressive behavior due to stress or pre-existing psychiatric problems.
Noise pollution also has a harmful impact on pregnant women and newborns. Exposure to noise to the fetus in the womb and newborns can increase the risk of hearing loss.
If you live or do a lot of activities in an area that is close to a source of noise pollution and feel you are experiencing some of the health problems mentioned above, immediately get your ear checked by an ENT doctor.
To protect yourself from noise pollution and prevent health problems from noise pollution, wear ear protection, such asearmufforearplugs, during activity.
