Noise Pollution: Sources, Effects on Workplace Productivity and Health Implications

Environmental noise is defined as the noise emitted from sources such as road, rail and air traffic, industries, construction and public works, and the neighborhood. Noise has been ranked high among forms of pollutions, which include air pollution, radioactive waste pollution, water pollutions, etc. In recent years, noise has received considerable worldwide attention as a result of the many studies linking noise pollution to various health effects that include auditory as well non-auditory health effects. It should be noted here that the effect of noise is seldom catastrophic, and is often only transitory. However, its adverse effects can be cumulative with prolonged or repeated exposure. Noise with daily activities and it causes sleep disruption, masking of speech, reduction in performance and the inability to enjoy ones property or leisure time. It impairs the quality of life. In addition, several studies have linked extended exposure to high noise levels to cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. It has also been reported that high noise levels have an economic effects, especially tourism and real estate sectors, where it has been reported that the prices of houses tend to be higher in quite areas. There is also some evidence that noise can adversely affect general health and well-being in the same manner as chronic stress. Because of these factors, and the recent public awareness of the adverse effects of noise in the last few decades, many studies and noise monitoring programs have been established in various parts in the world. These studies and programs focus on measurements of perceived sound levels in communities, in the workplace (occupational noise), near airports and in public parks. A second area of research, which is getting more attention in recent years, focuses on assessing the effects of noise on individuals and communities, i.e. noise annoyance. This book discusses several topics that include driver style influence in the vehicle acoustic emissions in urban traffic; reaction to hybrid noise in communication; otoacoustic emissions by product distortion in metallurgical workers exposed to different doses of occupational noise; underwater noise pollution; and noise pollution in Zimbabwe.