In the years after the first Earth Day in 1970, more attention was focused on a range of environmental concerns. In the mid 1970s I worked on several urban noise studies conducted by Dr. Vern Harnapp, Professor of Geography at the University of Akron www.springerlink.com ). Noise, sometimes referred to as the unseen pollutant, is the most inescapable form of pollution — and one which poses a long list of potential health hazards. As the world becomes more urbanized, the use of machine-technology increases, and levels of development become higher and more complex, human exposure to noise increases. One authority estimates that the average noise level in the American city is increasing by 1 dB annually. This unwanted sound can damage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects Furthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading causes to health problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times panic attack. Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Workers exposed to significant occupational noise demonstrate significantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to moderately high levels during a single eight hour period causes a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to ten …
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