HFD Team Not everyone is lucky enough to wake up to the sound of the sea waves or birds chirping: here are the possible consequences and risks of noise pollution on health and how they can be remedied.
Last September, an article appeared that one in four Europeans is exposed to noise pollution, highlighting the possible negative implications for health.
The article followed a report from the European Environment Agency, which had “mapped” the quietest and noisiest areas in Europe.
In Italy, the situation seems to differ from city to city and region and sees Palermo is the leader, followed by Florence, Turin, Milan, and Rome.
Let’s see what the risks of noise pollution are and why it is important to insist on a policy that favors respect for silence.
The risks of too much noise
By too much noise, we mean that constant noise that one is forced to suffer during the day and exceeds a certain number of decibels – the agency announces that the tolerance limit is around 50dB -those that the ear human can tolerate on average.
Specifically, we are talking about city noises, such as urban, rail, or air traffic; the presence of industrial areas that produce noise; work in progress with the use of tools such as pneumatic hammers, electric saws, but also heating or ventilation systems, centrifuges or compressors; Finally, dangers to the ears also include practices such as hunting and target shooting that generate impulsive noises.
The consequences of noise exposure can be:
- discomfort and ringing in the ears, hearing loss or hearing impairment, damage to the eardrum
- stress and difficulty concentrating
- headache, migraine, feeling of nausea
- sleep disorders, nocturnal awakenings, nightmares, and anxieties
- gastric disturbances
- heart disease and hypertension
- moodiness, nervousness, depression, and a sense of malaise
How to remedy noise pollution
According to the World Health Organization, the optimal sound value is, on average, 35 dB, and values no higher than 45 dB; these are a guarantee of good sleep quality for normal subjects.
However, it can be challenging to isolate yourself from the noises, but with a few small tricks, they can be blocked and limited.
First of all, with a bit of do-it-yourself in the home: there are materials on the market specifically designed to cover walls, as well as the possibility of arranging sound-absorbing floors or ceilings, but also of using special insulators for glass and windows.
As pointed out by the Linea Amica of the Italian Government, in the event of intolerable and persistent noise pollution, the inspectors of the ARPA who have the competence of the area can be called to carry out the necessary checks and controls.
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