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Acoustic environmental pollution - impact, prevention and protection. Measures to protect residential areas from industrial noise

Noise (acoustic) pollution (English: Noise pollution, German: Lдrm) is irritating noise of anthropogenic origin that disrupts the life of living organisms and humans. Annoying noises also exist in nature (abiotic and biotic), but it is incorrect to consider them pollution, since living organisms have adapted to them in the process of evolution.

The main source of noise pollution is vehicles - cars, railway trains and airplanes.

In cities, the level of noise pollution in residential areas can be greatly increased due to poor urban planning (for example, the location of an airport within the city).

Apart from transport (60-80% of noise pollution), other important sources of noise pollution in cities are industrial enterprises, construction and repair work, car alarms, barking dogs, noisy people, etc.

With the advent of the post-industrial era, more and more sources of noise pollution (as well as electromagnetic) appear inside the human home. The source of this noise is household and office equipment. noise acoustic pollution light

More than half of the population of Western Europe lives in areas where the noise level is 55-70 dB.

Acoustic pollution of the environment, intense noise or unwanted sound resulting from human activity. Although sound does not chemically or physically alter or damage the environment as does normal air or water pollution, it can reach levels of intensity that cause psychological stress or physiological impairment in people. In this case, we can talk about acoustic pollution of the environment.

Like any environmental pollution, noise most often occurs where there is a high concentration of population. Car traffic is the main source of noise on city streets. Equipment used in the construction and repair of houses and road surfaces, industrial enterprises, sound advertising, car horns and many other sound sources increase the noise level on the streets.

In the homes themselves, electrical devices, air conditioners, televisions, radios, players and tape recorders are often sources of increased noise.

Noise in certain conditions can have a significant impact on human health and behavior. Noise can cause irritation and aggression, arterial hypertension (increased blood pressure), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and hearing loss.

The greatest irritation is caused by noise in the frequency range 3000-5000 Hz.

Chronic exposure to noise levels greater than 90 dB can cause hearing loss.

When noise levels exceed 110 dB, a person experiences sound intoxication,

subjective sensations similar to alcohol or drugs.

At a noise level of 145 dB, a person's eardrums rupture.

Women are less tolerant of loud noise than men. In addition, sensitivity to noise also depends on age, temperament, health, environmental conditions, etc.

Discomfort is caused not only by noise pollution, but also by the complete absence of noise. Moreover, sounds of a certain strength increase performance and stimulate the thinking process (especially the counting process), and, conversely, in the complete absence of noise, a person loses performance and experiences stress. The most optimal sounds for the human ear are natural noises: the rustling of leaves, the murmur of water, the singing of birds. Industrial noise of any intensity does not contribute to improving well-being. Noise from traffic can cause headaches.

The harmful effects of noise have been known since ancient times. For example, in the Middle Ages there was execution “under the bell”. The ringing of the bell was slowly killing the man.

Gradations of acoustic pollution can be determined by a special device - a sound level meter, which in general terms imitates the structure of the human ear. The device detects sound by the vibration of its microphone membrane under the influence of sound waves, in the same way as the eardrum in the ear. Since sound travels as a wave, which is a periodic compression and rarefaction of air (or other elastic medium that is encountered along the way), this causes corresponding changes in air pressure near the membrane. As a result, vibration of the membrane itself occurs, which is transformed into oscillations of the electric current in the device. The strength of these vibrations is recorded by the device in units called decibels (dB). The hearing threshold for the human ear is approximately 0 dB, which is equivalent to a sound pressure of 0.0002 dynes per square centimeter. The discomfort threshold is approximately 120 dB, and the pain threshold is 130 dB. Usually, when studying a person’s reaction to noise, it is not the scale described above that is used, but its modification, the so-called. scale A. The unit of measurement in this scale is dBA.

To protect people from the adverse effects of noise, it is necessary to regulate its intensity, spectral composition, and exposure time. This goal is pursued by sanitary and hygienic regulation.

Standardization of permissible noise levels is carried out for various places of residence of the population (industry, home, recreation areas) and is based on a number of documents:

GOST 12.1.003?83 SSBT. Noise. General safety requirements,

GOST 12.1.036?81 SSBT. Noise. Permissible levels in residential and public buildings.

Sanitary standards for permissible noise levels at industrial enterprises and in residential buildings are significantly different, because in the workshop, workers are exposed to noise during one shift - 8 hours, and the population of large cities - almost around the clock. In addition, in the second case, it is necessary to take into account the presence of the most vulnerable part of the population - children, the elderly, and the sick. An acceptable level of noise is considered to be one that does not have a direct or indirect harmful and unpleasant effect on a person, does not reduce his performance, and does not affect his well-being and mood.

The easiest way to protect workers from the painful effects of noise is to use earplugs and special headphones. This method is used, for example, by airport employees. Another method is to use sound-absorbing or sound-insulating materials in areas where there are strong noise sources.

There are other ways to combat noise that target its source. Such solutions include changing the design of engines to make them quieter, installing mufflers on motors and mechanical devices, changing the design of tire treads, and installing shock-absorbing bands on the metal wheels of railway and subway cars.

Measures to reduce human exposure to any harmful production factor, including noise, can be divided into four groups.

1. Legislative measures include: noise regulation; establishing age limits for hiring work performed in conditions of increased noise; organizing preliminary and periodic medical examinations of employees; reducing the time spent working with noisy machines and equipment, etc.

2. Preventing the formation and spread of noise is carried out in the following directions:

introduction of automatic and remote control of equipment;

rational planning of premises;

changing technology with replacing equipment with less noisy ones (for example, replacing riveting with welding, pressing stamping);

increasing the accuracy of manufacturing parts (a reduction in sound level by 5...10 dBA is achieved) and balancing of rotating parts, replacing chain drives with belt drives, rolling bearings with plain bearings (resulting in a reduction in sound level by 10...15 dBA), cylindrical wheels with straight cylindrical helical teeth; changing the design of fan blades; reducing turbulence and the speed at which liquids and gases pass through inlet and outlet openings (for example, by installing noise mufflers); converting reciprocating motion into rotational motion; installation of damping elements in places of contact between machines and enclosing structures of premises, etc.;

shielding or the use of soundproofing casings (hoods), in which part of the sound energy is absorbed, part is reflected, and part passes unimpeded;

changing the direction of noise, for example, by orienting the air intake and exhaust openings of mechanical ventilation systems and compressor units away from workplaces;

finishing walls with sound-absorbing materials (felt, mineral wool, perforated cardboard, etc.), in which sound energy is converted into thermal energy due to viscous friction in narrow pores. In this case, the frequency characteristics of the noise should be taken into account, since the sound absorption coefficient of such materials at different frequencies is not the same.

3. The use of personal protective equipment in cases where the listed measures fail to reduce the noise level to standard values. Depending on the noise characteristics and the type of means used, a reduction in the sound intensity level by 5...45 dB is achieved.

4. Biological prevention measures are aimed at reducing the effects of harmful effects (noise) on the body and increasing its resistance. These include the rationalization of the work and rest regime, the appointment of special nutrition and therapeutic and preventive procedures.

Calculation of total noise level

Determine the total noise level from units with sound pressure levels L1=65 dB, L2=72 dB, L3=70 dB, L4=60 dB. Geometric frequency in the noise spectrum is f=4000 Hz. Compare with the permissible sound level at a given frequency Ladd = 71 dB and explain the practical need for this calculation when designing an industrial enterprise.

The solution of the problem

The total noise level from several sources is not equal to the arithmetic sum of the sound pressure levels of each source, but is determined in a logarithmic relationship.

Usually there are several noise sources with different intensity levels installed in the premises. In this case, the total sound pressure level (L, dB) in frequency bands or the average sound level (Lc, dBA) at a point equidistant from the sources is determined by the formula

where L1, L2,...,Ln are sound pressure levels in the frequency band, dB, or sound levels, dBA, developed by each of the noise sources at the point in space under study.

Conclusion: according to the conditions of this problem, the permissible sound level at a given frequency is permanent workplaces in industrial premises and on the territory of enterprises and the predominant noise frequency is f = 4000 Hz.

The permissible sound level at this frequency, equal to 4000 Hz, will be 71 dB. In our example, L = 75 dB, which exceeds the permissible sound level at a given frequency.

The practical necessity of this calculation when designing an industrial enterprise is to, knowing the total noise level of the units, determine the type of work activity in a given room where noise interference will not affect the quality of work.

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Noise (acoustic) pollution is irritating noise of anthropogenic origin that disrupts the life of living organisms and humans. Annoying noises also exist in nature (abiotic and biotic), but it is incorrect to consider them pollution, since living organisms have adapted to them in the process of evolution.

The main source of noise pollution is vehicles - cars, railway trains and airplanes.

In cities, the level of noise pollution in residential areas can be greatly increased due to poor urban planning (for example, the location of an airport within the city).

In addition to transport (60÷80% of noise pollution), other important sources of noise pollution in cities are industrial enterprises, construction and repair work, car alarms, dog barking, noisy people, etc. The source of noise is household and office equipment.

Noise pollution quickly disrupts the natural balance in ecosystems. Noise pollution can lead to disruption of orientation in space, communication, search for food, etc. In this regard, some animals begin to make louder sounds, which is why they themselves will become secondary sound pollutants, further disturbing the balance in ecosystem.

Some of the most well-known cases of environmental damage caused by noise pollution are the numerous cases in which dolphins and whales have become beached and become disorientated due to the loud sounds of military sonars (sonars).

With prolonged exposure to intense noise, the nervous and endocrine systems, vascular tone, and gastrointestinal tract are disrupted, hearing loss develops, and the function of the vestibular apparatus is impaired.

Measures to protect the environment from noise pollution.

The World Health Organization, taking into account the global nature of environmental noise pollution, has developed a long-term program to reduce noise in cities and towns around the world. In Russia, protection from noise exposure is regulated by the Law of the Russian Federation “On Environmental Protection” (2002) (Article 55), as well as government regulations on measures to reduce noise at industrial enterprises, in cities and other populated areas. Protection from noise exposure is a very complex problem and its solution requires a set of measures: legislative, technical and technological, urban planning, architectural and planning, organizational, etc. To protect the population from the harmful effects of noise, regulatory legislative acts regulate its intensity, duration of action and other parameters. Gosstandart established uniform sanitary and hygienic standards and rules for limiting noise in enterprises, cities and other populated areas. The standards are based on such levels of noise exposure, the effect of which over a long period of time does not cause adverse changes in the human body, namely: 40 dB during the day and 30 at night. Permissible levels of transport noise are set within 84-92 dB and will decrease over time.

Technical and technological measures come down to noise protection, which is understood as comprehensive technical measures to reduce noise in production (installation of soundproofing casings of machines, sound absorption, etc.), in transport (emission mufflers, replacement of shoe brakes with disc brakes, sound-absorbing asphalt, etc.).

At the urban planning level, protection from noise pollution can be achieved by the following measures:

Zoning with removal of noise sources outside the building;

Organization of a transport network that excludes the passage of noisy highways through residential areas;

Removing noise sources and creating protective zones around and along noise sources and organizing green spaces;

Laying highways in tunnels, constructing noise-protective embankments and other noise-absorbing obstacles along the paths of noise propagation (screens, excavations);

A certain contribution to protecting the environment from noise impacts is made by the prohibition of vehicle sound signals, air flights over the city, restriction (or prohibition) of aircraft take-offs and landings at night and other organizational measures.

However, these measures are unlikely to give the desired environmental effect if the main thing is not understood: protection from noise exposure is not only a technical problem, but also a social one.

Classification of industrial emissions.

Due to the diversity of atmospheric protection spectra, there is no single, let alone official classification of volatile industrial emissions.

From the point of view of the role and significance of emissions during the cleaning process, the following classification has been adopted; emissions can be divided into 2 types:

Steam-gas

A mixture of vapors or gases that does not contain suspended solid or liquid particles. This group is divided into 2 subgroups.

1a) Emissions that cannot be cleaned up, either because they are harmless, or because of economic feasibility, dispersion through pipes, or because there is a complete lack of technical ability to clean up in a given period of time, the latter can only be permissible temporarily.

1b) Emissions to be cleaned up. Gaseous, vaporous substances contained in industrial gas exhausts are much more numerous compared to aerosols, these include acids, halogens and halogen derivatives, gaseous oxides, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, hydrocarbons, amines, nitro compounds, metal vapors, peridines, mercoptans and many other components of gaseous industrial emissions.

Aerosol

A mixture of gases or vapors carrying solid or liquid suspended particles, these include smoke, mists, dust or smog. The following subgroups can be distinguished in this group.

2a) Aerosols in which the dispersed phase is subject to capture, and the vapor-gas phase, i.e. dispersed belongs to subgroup 1a and does not affect the operation of the gas treatment plant, i.e. is neutral during the cleaning process.

2b) Aerosols in which the dispersed phase is subject to capture, and the vapor-gas phase belonging to subgroup 1a, at the same time influence the course of purification. For example, the negligible content of sulfur dioxide in the gas does not require its capture, but acidic condensate can form inside the gas purification path, causing corrosion.

2c) Aerosols in which the dispersed phase is subject to capture, and the vapor-gas phase belongs to subgroup 1b. In this case, either combined cleaning is required in one apparatus, or a combination of sequentially located apparatuses for selective capture of the dispersed phase and harmful impurities of the dispersion medium.

2d) Aerosols in which the dispersion medium belongs to subgroup 1b, and the dispersed phase cannot be captured, for example due to low concentration, and at the same time does not affect the cleaning process.

2d) Aerosols in which the dispersion medium belongs to subgroup 1b, and the dispersed phase is not subject to capture, however, it may not be the cleaning process that influences it, for example, gradually contaminating the liquid or solid sorbent or absorber.

2e) Aerosols in which the dispersion medium belongs to subgroup 1a, and the dispersion phase to 2d or 2d. This aerosol does not require cleaning.

Noise pollution– this is one of the most pressing environmental problems of modern megacities. Every year the noise level in big cities inexorably increases. First of all, this is due to the increase in the number of vehicles. It is no secret that the impact of noise on human health is very strong. Today, over 60% of people living in megacities are daily exposed to excessive sound, infrasonic and ultrasonic influences. Noise at night is especially harmful. Noise pollution can lead to the development of many diseases.

To protect the population from noise, WHO proposes to introduce a number of measures. Among them:

a ban on repair and construction work from 23.00 to 7.00;

a ban on increased volume on televisions, stereos, radios and other sound-reproducing and sound-amplifying devices (This rule applies not only to private homes, but also to cars and open public institutions located near residential buildings).

Noise protection is most needed for hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, sanatoriums, holiday homes, boarding houses, boarding houses for children, homes for the elderly and disabled, for hotels, dormitories, as well as preschools, schools and other educational institutions.

Noise standards. In 2010, the WHO Regional Office for Europe released Guidelines on Night-time Noise in Europe. This document contains the latest data on the dangers of noise (in particular, night noise) for human health and reflects recommendations on maximum permissible noise levels. A group of researchers, consisting of 35 scientists: doctors, acousticians and members of the European Commission, found that at least one in five Europeans currently suffers from increased noise exposure at night.

According to standards approved by WHO, noise standards at night are no more than 40 decibels. This noise level is usually observed in residential areas of quiet areas. At the slightest excess of this noise standard, residents may experience minor health problems: for example, insomnia.

The noise level on a busy city street is typically over 55 decibels. If a person remains in conditions of such strong noise pollution for a long time, it is possible that his blood pressure will increase and cardiac activity will be impaired. Unfortunately, the WHO commission found that every fifth person in Europe is exposed to noise levels exceeding 55 decibels every day.

Effect of noise. Living or staying for a long time in conditions of increased noise pollution is almost guaranteed to lead to problems with hearing and sleep. It is known that the nervous system of a sleeping person continues to respond to sounds. As a result, high noise levels (especially at night) can eventually provoke mental disorders in humans. The first symptoms of the negative impact of noise on the psyche are irritability and sleep disturbance.

Noise pollution can not only cause a person to develop some kind of disease, but can even provoke premature death. For example, the noise of an airplane at night inevitably leads to surges in blood pressure, and it is unlikely that the human heart will be able to adapt to such extreme conditions and last for many years. The most dangerous influence of noise is in those moments when a person falls asleep and wakes up. For example, scientists have proven that increased noise levels from airplanes are extremely dangerous early in the morning: at this time of day, it causes an acceleration of a person’s heart rate.

At-risk groups. The degree of influence of noise on people is not the same: it affects the health of some more strongly, and less strongly on the well-being of others. Population groups most vulnerable to noise pollution include children; people with chronic diseases; aged people; people working alternately on night and day shifts; residents of houses without soundproofing in 24-hour busy areas.

Noise protection. The World Health Organization has come to the conclusion that noise pollution must be combated comprehensively: by reducing the number of noise sources and at the same time reducing the noise level of preserved facilities.

To improve the effectiveness of noise control, the European Union has invited countries to map the areas with the highest levels of noise pollution and focus their noise control efforts on these locations. The method of dividing into zones will allow you to choose the optimal method of noise protection in a particular area and will show which areas need emergency assistance in combating sound pollution.

One of the modern methods of noise protection is the installation of noise-absorbing screens along highways, as well as distancing transport routes from school buildings, kindergartens and medical institutions.

Only office premises are allowed in areas with high noise levels, as they are empty at night.

Another method of combating the harmful effects of noise is to design apartments so that the bedroom windows face the courtyard. In addition, improved sound insulation of windows and doors contributes to noise protection. Just make sure that this sound insulation does not affect the ventilation of the room.

Noise is a random combination of sounds of varying intensity and frequency; disturbing, unwanted sound. There are sources of noise of natural and man-made origin.

Noise in the urban environment and residential buildings is created by vehicles, industrial equipment, and sanitary installations. On city highways and in adjacent areas, sound levels can reach 70...80 dBA, and in some cases 90 dBA or more. Around airports, sound levels are even higher.

Noise, especially of man-made origin, has a harmful effect on the human body. The degree of harmful effects of noise depends on its intensity, spectral composition, exposure time, location of the person, the nature of the work performed and the individual characteristics of the person.

Man-made noise is often a mixture of random and periodic vibrations. Sources of noise of technogenic origin include all mechanisms, equipment and transport used in modern technology, which create significant noise pollution of the environment.

Man-made noise background is created by sources located in buildings, structures, buildings and the territory between them.

Sources of noise emission into the environment are cars, airplanes, ships, construction machines and installations, pneumatic tools, air intake shafts, compressors, trams, trolleybuses, etc. Noise mainly occurs as a result of work or movement.

Noise classification. Depending on the environment in which sound propagates, structural or structure-borne noise and airborne noise are conventionally distinguished. Structural noise occurs when a vibrating body comes into direct contact with machine parts, their casing, pipelines, foundations, building structures, etc. The vibrational energy imparted by a noise source to objects rigidly connected to it (depending on the shape of the connection and their linear dimensions) propagates along them in the form of longitudinal or transverse waves (or both at the same time). Vibrating surfaces, causing air particles adjacent to them to vibrate, form sound waves. If the source is not associated with any structures, then the noise emitted by it into the air is called airborne.

To imagine in which area of ​​auditory perception the sounds surrounding a person are located, consider Table. 5.2. It should be remembered that a decrease (increase) in sound level (US) by 5 dBA means a decrease (increase) in the subjective loudness perceived by hearing by 1.5 times, by 10 dBA - by 2 times, by 15 dBA - by 3 times, 20 dBA - 4 times, etc.

Sources of noise of man-made origin are rail, water, aircraft and wheeled transport, technical equipment of industrial and domestic facilities, ventilation installations, sanitary equipment, thermal power systems, electromechanical devices, gas turbine compressors, electrical devices and equipment, aero-gas-dynamic installations, etc.

Table 5.2. The noise and "sound" that surround us

Source of noise, its location	Sound level, dBA	Distance at which the source is measured, m
Whisper of leaves in complete calm
Quiet countryside
Normal conversation in a room
Comfortable car interior
Passenger low noise car
High-speed train
Alarm clock ringing
Busy highway
Mechanical shop
Jackhammer, PKS
Symphony Orchestra
Inhabited compartment of the tank
Jet plane taking off
Rocket takeoff

The nature of the noise depends on the type of source. Man-made noise, based on the physical nature of its origin, is divided into the following groups:

mechanical, arising from the interaction of various parts in mechanisms (single or periodic impacts that occur during certain technological processes, for example, during forging, stamping, riveting), as a result of the movement of individual parts and assemblies of machines or mechanisms with unbalanced masses, especially strong in faulty systems, as well as vibrations of the surfaces of devices, machines, equipment, etc.;

electromagnetic, arising as a result of vibrations of parts and elements of electromechanical devices under the influence of electromagnetic fields (chokes, transformers, stators, rotors, etc.);

Rice. 5.5. Varieties of spectra of real noise sources:

a - continuous spectrum (turbojet engine); b- tonal (axial fan); in - fluctuating in time (transport); d - pulse spectrum (hammer blow); d - intermittent (air release)

aerodynamic, arising as a result of vortex processes in gases (adiabatic expansion of compressed gas or steam from a closed volume into the atmosphere; disturbances arising when bodies move at high speeds in a gaseous environment, during the rotation of turbine blades, etc.), at high speeds of movement gaseous media (for example, the noise of gas jets of rocket and jet engines, noise that occurs when air is sucked in by compressor units, etc.);

hydrodynamic, caused by various processes in liquids (for example, the occurrence of water hammer with the rapid reduction of cavitation bubbles, cavitation in ultrasonic technological equipment, in aircraft liquid systems, etc.);

explosive or pulsed, occurring during the operation of internal combustion engines, diesel engines, etc.

As a complex sound, noise can be divided into its simple components of tone, indicating intensity and frequency. A graphical representation of the noise composition is called a spectrum and is its most important characteristic. The spectral-temporal characteristics of noise are highly diverse (Fig. 5.5). In technology, octave bands with geometric mean frequencies are used, for example, 31.5, 63, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 Hz.

Simultaneous exposure to several sources may result in a noise field with a complex spectral-temporal distribution.

According to the spectral composition, depending on the maximum values ​​of the sound pressure amplitudes in the noise spectrum, low-frequency (below 300 Hz), mid-frequency (from 300 to 800 Hz), high-frequency (above 800 Hz) noises are distinguished;

Based on the nature of the spectrum, broadband noise is distinguished with a continuous spectrum more than one octave wide; tonal noise, in the spectrum of which there are pronounced tones. The tonal nature of noise for practical purposes is established by measuring in 1/3 octave frequency bands based on the excess of the level of the water band over neighboring ones by at least 10 dB.

According to time characteristics, they are distinguished: constant noise, the sound level of which over an 8-hour working day or during the measurement time in the premises of residential and public buildings, in residential areas, changes over time by no more than 5 dBA;

non-constant noise, the level of which changes over time by more than 5 dBA over an 8-hour working day, work shift or during measurements in the premises of residential and public buildings, in residential areas.

Intermittent noise is divided into:

time-fluctuating noise, the sound level of which continuously changes over time;

intermittent noise, the sound level of which changes stepwise (by 5 dBA or more), and the duration of the intervals during which the level remains constant is 1 s or more;

impulse noise consisting of one or more sound signals, each lasting less than 1 s, and the sound levels in dBA1 and dBA, measured respectively on the pulse and slow time characteristics, differ by at least 7 dB.

Noise can be characterized by physical and physiological parameters. From the physical side, noise is characterized by sound pressure, sound intensity (strength), sound energy density, sound pressure level, frequency and density of discrete components and other parameters. Noise as a physiological phenomenon is characterized by height, volume, area of ​​excited frequencies or timbre and duration of action.

The human ear is capable of perceiving a certain range of sound pressures, for example, at medium sound frequencies from 10-5 to 102 N/m2, i.e. differing by approximately 107 times. Therefore, for the convenience of calculations, it is customary to evaluate sound pressure, or, accordingly, sound intensity not in absolute, but in relative units - bels, decibels. The quantities measured in this way are called levels.

So, sound pressure level, dB,

where p a is the measured sound pressure, N/m 2 ; p 0 - conditional pressure threshold equal to 2 · 10 -5 N/m 2.

Sound intensity (strength) level, dB,

where J is sound intensity, W/m2; J 0 - sound intensity, taken as the zero level, equal to 10 -12 W/m 2.

The acoustic power level is determined similarly to the intensity level:

where Ф 0 is the conditional threshold of acoustic power equal to 10-12 W.

The acoustic power level characterizes the acoustic power emitted by the source, reduced to a level in decibels. This makes it possible to compare the power levels of individual mechanisms under any acoustic conditions.

Biological effect of noise. The widespread introduction of new intensive technologies into industry, the increase in the power and speed of equipment, the use of numerous means of land, air and water transport, the widespread use of various electrified household equipment has led to the fact that a person at work, at home, on vacation, and when moving is exposed to multiple impacts harmful noise.

The degree of harmful effects of noise depends on its intensity, spectral composition, exposure time, location of the person, the nature of the work performed and the individual characteristics of the person. Noise, the level of which is 35...40 dBA, at night is a serious disturbing factor when a person is in an apartment. Noise with a level of 50...60 dBA creates a noticeable load on the nervous system, especially if a person is engaged in mental activity. Noise with a level above 70 dBA causes physiological effects, and at 85...90 dBA it can lead to hearing impairment.

An excess of various noises that create a certain noise pollution in our lives can lead to the development of a fairly wide range of various diseases. But let's talk about everything in order.

Thanks to technological progress, such familiar and almost unnoticed sounds have appeared in our lives. This is the noise of a refrigerator, the movement of the second hand of a watch, or even the operation of a computer (the operation of computer coolers). If you are moving to a new home, we recommend carrying out a survey to ensure that you are moving into an environmentally friendly home.

For everyone, noise is an individual concept. Some people do not perceive city noise at all as a source of noise pollution and are quite commonplace phenomena. And there are people for whom noise pollution is an intolerable problem, and they try to be in silence and in places where the noise level is quite low as often as possible.

With all this, scientists have proven that any anthropogenic sounds that reach fairly large sound limits can have a negative effect on the human body. But let's talk about everything in order.

What is noise pollution and what are its sources?

In order to correctly understand the problem, you first need to understand the question of what noise pollution is. So, noise pollution is a kind of acoustic pollution, which is irritating noise. This type of noise is of so-called anthropogenic origin and usually noise pollution of the atmosphere has a detrimental effect on human life processes.

There are two types of noise that occur in nature:

• abiotic;
• biotic.

Some also refer natural noise to the concept of “noise pollution of the environment,” but this is not true. Such pollution and its impact on humans and other living organisms is reduced to zero, and all living things have evolved and adapted to such noise.

Of course, one of the most important sources of any noise pollution is noise from vehicles. And this is not only cars, but also railway transport and even airplanes.

After the advent of the post-industrial era, an even greater number of different sources of noise have emerged in our world, which contribute to the fact that noise pollution in the oceans and around the world is only getting worse every year. In addition, human activity negatively affects not only noise, but also electromagnetic pollution that occurs inside a living space. This also affects noise pollution in the apartment.

Noise pollution in apartments and offices occurs due to various equipment, including household ones. In large cities, residential areas have increased levels of noise pollution. It is quite easy to explain this situation: this problem arises precisely because of erroneous urban planning. It may even be the incorrect location of the airport near residential buildings.

Sources of noise pollution are usually industrial enterprises, various construction works, vehicle alarms, animal sounds (barking dogs, screaming cats), noise from people (screaming, laughing, etc.).

In order to qualitatively investigate the level of noise pollution in your apartment or workplace, as well as to carry out testing, you can contact our independent research laboratory "EcoTestExpress". Specialists and experts will conduct all the research as quickly as possible and also give an extensive report with recommendations for improving this situation.

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What is noise and noise pollution from a hygiene perspective?

What is noise pollution from a hygiene point of view? So, noise pollution of the environment or just noise is a physical phenomenon familiar to us. Sound can be represented as various wave vibrations of an elastic medium. Sound propagates not only in air space, but also in various liquids, and it is also possible for sound to propagate in solids. You can study sound in our laboratory.

Scientists usually give a more precise description and say that noise is a collection of sounds with different frequencies and intensities that have a chaotic order.

We are concerned specifically with the topic “noise pollution and its impact on humans.” And of course, from this point of view, noise is any possible sound.

The same noise for two people and in different situations can be both noise and ordinary sound, which does not harm health in any way. Let's assume the following situation: at night, the car security alarm went off. For the owner of this car, this information will be useful, and therefore will not be unnecessary noise. To the neighbor who was relaxing, this sound is noise pollution, and the sound intensity scale can determine how much it will affect a person's health. But in general, the alarm woke up the neighbor, which made him furious and angry, thereby affecting his nervous system.

In order to find out how much noise pollution in an apartment exceeds the norm or you need other research, for example, you can contact our research laboratory "EcoTestExpress", where within a few days you will receive a full-fledged research protocol, which was created and executed according to the state model and valid even in government agencies.

What kind of noise pollution in the atmosphere and premises is harmful to humans?

Before we talk about such a complex topic, we need to first note a few important facts. So, noise pollution such as the sound of rain or the rustling of leaves is quite difficult to consider as full-fledged noise, since noise that is in the range from 0 to 35 dB is not considered full-fledged noise and does not harm health. According to experts, the mildest harm to health occurs from noise with a level of 50 dB.

Various sources of noise pollution have a greater impact on residents of large cities. As mentioned earlier, the main sources of noise pollution in the city are large transport junctions, namely cars, trains and other vehicles.

It is worth noting that in addition to transport, there are other sources in the city that are no less dangerous than those previously described. For example, during large concerts in Moscow on the main square, or parades, the level of noise pollution exceeds all permissible standards and becomes several times louder than from vehicles. But again, this happens quite rarely and there is an increased noise level in a specific part of the city, namely in the center.

Experts and scientists note that the most harmful and dangerous among all noise pollution is night noise. A person who was in the sleep stage or simply during relaxation will adapt to an unpleasant sound much longer than during the daytime.

Are there official statistics on urban noise pollution in Russia?

Australian scientists have surpassed everyone in their research into noise pollution. Just a few years ago, after conducting certain studies, they carried out experiments and proved that environmental noise pollution causes a number of health problems and reduces life expectancy by an average of 10 years.

In Russia, official statistics on the level of noise pollution for large cities are not kept. Perhaps this is even for the better. One can imagine how extensive and lengthy the Australian research was. Russian experiments would not be too different from the data obtained, understanding the pathogenesis of the effects of noise pollution on humans.

We know that any sharp, impulsive noise or industrial sounds that exceed the standards are in themselves harmful to humans. If the noise is constant, then the trend of deterioration in health will only worsen, which can subsequently cause quite serious problems.

In order to protect yourself in your premises or enterprise, you can order a service such as noise measurement in our Moscow independent research laboratory "EcoTestExpress", which has a fourteen-year history and has earned its reputation as one of the best private laboratories in Moscow and the Moscow region.

We carry out all the necessary studies of noise levels not only in production, but also in residential premises, and also study the noise level at night. In addition, a team of experts will conduct all the research, as well as a comparative analysis of the data obtained with the norms established by law, thereby informing you about how severe the deviation from the norm has been recorded and how to deal with it.

How do diseases arise and develop in the body due to noise pollution?

All diseases associated with noise originate in the cerebral cortex. Due to the constant load of noise, the allocated area of ​​the brain for receiving various information, processing various sounds and signals, as well as modeling responses to received sounds simply does not perceive them.

After such a problem has arisen, the brain, instead of forming responses, begins to reflect these functions on completely different parts of the brain that are responsible for other actions. All this leads to disturbances in the functioning of other organs of a living organism.

From all of the above, it should be understood that in order to protect yourself and your loved ones from the seemingly invisible effects of noise, you should periodically conduct research and measure the noise in the room. After the measurement, you can think about how to improve the situation and protect yourself from extraneous noise and noise pollution of the environment.