Noise Pollution April 25/26, 2011

GIVE ME YOUR $$ I need $4.75 from each of you before Thursday. You need to alert your teachers that you will be absent for Parent Chaperones: I need 3!!! They will get a free movie ticket

NP Standards SWBAT describe what noise pollution and know its short-term and long-term health effects. SWBAT explain what a decibel is and what it’s used for. SWBAT describe what methods are used to prevent NP

Definition Sound becomes unwanted when it interferes with normal activities, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life.

What is noise?

Decibel (dB) The unit used to measure the intensity of a sound On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound is 0dB A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB.

Noise Distance affects the intensity of sound If you are far away, the power is greatly diminished Any sound above 85 dB can cause hearing loss! The loss is related to the intensity and length of exposure

Common Sounds and their decibel ratings: Near total silence - 0 dB A whisper - 15 dB Normal Conversation - 60 dB A lawnmower - 90 dB A rock concert or a jet engine dB A gunshot or firecracker dB

Health Effects Noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people. Studies have shown that there are direct links between noise and health.

Noise-Related Illnesses High blood pressure Speech interference Sleep Disruption Bulimia Depression Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) Established by the EPA to carry out investigations and studies on noise and its effect on the public health and welfare. Shut down in 1981: EPA concluded that noise issues were best handled at the State and Local level.

Noise Control Act (1972) Establishes a national policy to prevent NP How? Coordinates federal research and activities in noise control Established federal noise emission standards for products sold in commerce Provides information to the public regarding noise emission and noise reduction

EPA Some noise sources are still regulated by the EPA: Rail and motor carriers Construction Equipment Trucks and motorcycles EPA also controls labeling of hearing protection devices.

Control Measures Roadway noise can be reduced through the use of noise barriers, speed limits, and traffic control technology Aircraft noise can be reduced by: quieter jet engines, and rescheduling take off and landing times

Control Measures Industrial noise can be reduced by installing noise barriers in the workplace Residential noise (power tools, loud radios) can be controlled though local laws and enforcement.

Community Poster A company wants to come to East LA to build a new storage lot for garbage trucks. The parking lot would create a 200% increase in suburban traffic. Audience: The East LA community Explain what noise pollution is. Explain the health effects of NP (long and short- term) Come up an alternative solution.