What is noise pollution?

Noise Pollution affects us all.

Noise pollution is an invisible danger. It cannot be seen, but it is present nonetheless, both on land and under the sea. Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise above 65 decibels (dBA) as noise pollution. (1)

Some common sources of noise pollution:

• Street traffic (60-100 dBA)

• Construction sites (60-110 dBA)

• Nightlife (60-100 dBA)

• Air traffic (100-130 dBA)

• Sirens (110-130 dBA)

• Animals (60-80 dBA)

What is a Decibel?

(2)

Sources:

1. Iberdrola, I. (2021, April 22). La contaminación acústica, ¿Cómo reducir el impacto de una amenaza invisible? Iberdrola. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/what-is-noise-pollution-causes-effects-solutions#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO)%20defines%20noise%20above%2065%20decibels,is%20painful%20above%20120%20dB.

2. YouTube. (2022). What is a Decibel. YouTube. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU782Xb9J04.