Editing Noise pollution (section)

===Human health===
{{Main|Health effects from noise}}

Noise pollution affects both [[health]] and [[behavior]]. Unwanted sound (noise) can damage physiological health and [[mental health]]. Noise pollution is associated with several health conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, [[hypertension]], high stress levels, [[tinnitus]], hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Rosen">S. Rosen and P. Olin, ''Hearing Loss and Coronary Heart Disease'', Archives of Otolaryngology, 82:236 (1965)</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title = Noise Pollution
| url = http://www.euro.who.int/Noise
| publisher = [[World Health Organization]]
| date = 2018-12-08
| access-date = 2008-04-20
| archive-date = 2010-01-08
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100108141209/http://www.euro.who.int/Noise
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| title=Road noise link to blood pressure
| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8247217.stm
| work=[[BBC News]]
| date=2009-09-10
| access-date=2009-09-10
| archive-date=2021-09-29
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929113215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8247217.stm
| url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kerns E, Masterson EA, Themann CL, Calvert GM | title = Cardiovascular conditions, hearing difficulty, and occupational noise exposure within US industries and occupations | journal = American Journal of Industrial Medicine | volume = 61 | issue = 6 | pages = 477–491 | date = June 2018 | pmid = 29537072 | pmc = 6897488 | doi = 10.1002/ajim.22833 }}</ref> According to a research article, the exposure of sound level more than 81 dB inreased the chances of prehypertension and hypertension in local population of Pakistan. <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kashif Nawaz |first1=Syed |last2=Hasnain |first2=Shahida |date=2010-08-20 |title=Noise Induced Hypertension and Prehypertension in Pakistan |url=http://www.bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/2694 |journal=Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=239–244 |doi=10.17305/bjbms.2010.2694 |issn=1840-4812 |pmc=5504502 |pmid=20846132}}</ref>  According to a 2019 review of the existing literature, noise pollution was associated with faster cognitive decline.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Paul KC, Haan M, Mayeda ER, Ritz BR | title = Ambient Air Pollution, Noise, and Late-Life Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk | journal = Annual Review of Public Health | volume = 40 | issue = 1 | pages = 203–220 | date = April 2019 | pmid = 30935305 | pmc = 6544148 | doi = 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044058 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

Across Europe, according to the [[European Environment Agency]], it estimated 113 million people are affected by road traffic noise levels above 55&nbsp;decibels, the threshold at which noise becomes harmful to human health by the WHO's definition.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/05/one-in-five-europeans-exposed-to-harmful-noise-pollution-study |title=One in five Europeans exposed to harmful noise pollution – study |date=2020-03-05 |work=The Guardian |access-date=2020-03-05 |archive-date=2020-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305064317/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/05/one-in-five-europeans-exposed-to-harmful-noise-pollution-study |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleep or conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one's quality of life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jefferson|first=Catrice|title=Noise Pollution|url=http://www.epa.gov/air/noise.html|publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency|access-date=2013-09-24|archive-date=2016-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622083923/https://www3.epa.gov/air/noise.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Noise-induced hearing loss]] can be caused by prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85 A-weighted [[decibel]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss|title=Noise-Induced Hearing Loss|last=National Institutes of Health|first=NIDCD|date=Feb 7, 2017|access-date=June 29, 2018|archive-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414132329/https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss|url-status=live}}</ref> A comparison of [[Maaban]] tribesmen, who were insignificantly exposed to transportation or industrial noise, to a typical U.S. population showed that chronic exposure to moderately high levels of environmental noise contributes to hearing loss.<ref name="Rosen" />

Noise exposure in the workplace can also contribute to [[noise-induced hearing loss]] and other health issues. [[Occupational hearing loss]] is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the U.S. and worldwide.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |url= https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise |title= Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention |last= National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |date= Feb 6, 2018 |access-date= June 29, 2018 |archive-date= June 29, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180629235639/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

It is less clear how humans adapt to noise subjectively. Tolerance for noise is frequently independent of decibel levels. Murray Schafer's soundscape research was groundbreaking in this regard. In his work, he makes compelling arguments about how humans relate to noise on a subjective level, and how such subjectivity is conditioned by culture.<ref name="Schafer 1977">{{cite book |last=Schafer |first=Murray |title=The Soundscape |date=1977 |publisher=Destiny Books}}</ref> Schafer notes that sound is an expression of power in material culture. As such, fast cars or Harley Davidson motorcycles with aftermarket pipes tend to have louder engines not only for safety reasons, but for expressions of power by dominating the soundscape with a particular sound.<ref name="Schafer 1977"/>

Other key research in this area can be seen in Fong's comparative analysis of soundscape differences between Bangkok, Thailand, and Los Angeles, California, US. Based on Schafer's research, Fong's study showed how soundscapes differ based on the level of urban development in the area. He found that cities in the periphery have different soundscapes than inner city areas. Fong's findings tie not only soundscape appreciation to subjective views of sound, but also demonstrates how different sounds of the soundscape are indicative of class differences in urban environments.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fong |first1=Jack |title=Making Operative Concepts from Murray Schafer's Soundscapes Typology: A Qualitative and Comparative Analysis of Noise Pollution in Bangkok, Thailand and Los Angeles, California |journal=Urban Studies |year=2014 |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=173–192 |doi=10.1177/0042098014562333 |s2cid=30362727 }}</ref>

Noise pollution can have negative affects on adults and children on the [[Autism spectrum|autistic spectrum]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-anxiety-parents-seek-help-extreme-reaction-loud-noise-0|title=Autism & Anxiety: Parents seek help for extreme reaction to loud noise|website=Autism Speaks|access-date=2018-11-05|archive-date=2019-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513170849/https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-anxiety-parents-seek-help-extreme-reaction-loud-noise-0|url-status=live}}</ref> Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can have hyperacusis, which is an abnormal sensitivity to sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/tinnitus-and-hyperacusis/|title=Tinnitus and Hyperacusis: Overview|website=American Speech-Language-Hearing Association|access-date=2019-04-12|archive-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412163949/https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/tinnitus-and-hyperacusis/|url-status=live}}</ref> People with ASD who experience hyperacusis may have unpleasant emotions, such as fear and anxiety, and uncomfortable physical sensations in noisy environments with loud sounds.<ref>{{cite journal| vauthors = Stiegler LN, Davis R |year=2010|title=Understanding Sound Sensitivity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders |journal=Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities |volume=25 |number=2 |pages=67–75 |doi=10.1177/1088357610364530|s2cid=146251446}}</ref> This can cause individuals with ASD to avoid environments with noise pollution, which in turn can result in isolation and negatively affect their quality of life. Sudden explosive noises typical of high-performance car exhausts and car alarms are types of noise pollution that can affect people with ASD.<ref name=":1" />

While the elderly may have cardiac problems due to noise, according to the World Health Organization, children are especially vulnerable to noise, and the effects that noise has on children may be permanent.<ref>{{cite web|title=Children and Noise|url=https://www.who.int/ceh/capacity/noise.pdf|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=2020-10-05|archive-date=2020-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919130600/https://www.who.int/ceh/capacity/noise.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Noise poses a serious threat to a child's physical and psychological health, and may negatively interfere with a child's learning and behavior.<ref>{{cite web|title=Noise and Its Effects on Children|url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/ochp_noise_fs_rev1.pdf|publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-date=2017-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829021829/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/ochp_noise_fs_rev1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Exposure to persistent noise pollution shows how important maintaining [[environmental health]] is in keeping [[child]]ren and [[Old age|elderly]] healthy.<ref>"The Effects of Noise on Health". ''hms.harvard.edu''. Retrieved 2023-03-09.</ref>