This article provides a useful continuation on the issue of noise pollution by presenting concise information on the various, adverse health effects that can result from hearing too much unwanted sounds. One effect of noise pollution that discussed in the article and that I was not aware of is that noise can affect people in their sleep even if the noise is not harmful to a person’s hearing. When I consider the impact of noise on sleep, I generally think of the fact that noise can hinder a person’s ability to fall asleep which leads to deprivation and decreased mental performance that the authors also discuss in the article. However, the authors also state that noise “even at levels that are not harmful to hearing, is perceived subconsciously as a danger signal, even during sleep” (287). They discuss that during sleep, noise can cause negative effects such as “increase blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased pulse amplitude, vasoconstriction, changes in respiration” and more (290).
In the larger picture, the adverse effect on sleep is just one of the many negative consequences of noise pollution on human health. From Michael’s article and our discussion of it, the issue of noise pollution in New York City is definitely a problem that can impact New Yorkers, especially children, in all the ways discussed in this article shared by Lauren. The important question is how to address noise pollution. The authors mention two paths, legislation and education, that as a class we have also discussed many times regarding different issues. In terms of legislation, the authors bring up the point that domestic tranquility is one of the promises made by the Constitution and a reason why governments need to mitigate noise pollution. However, the idea of a city, especially large cities such as New York City where the problem is most prevalent, being able to monitor and control noise levels to please residents sounds like too much of a economic burden to be feasible and efficient.
Education is likely the more effective path to solve the issue of noise pollution. The authors emphasize throughout the article that children are a group that especially is vulnerable to the effects of noise pollution. Education that addresses this topic by focusing on the negative consequences to children can appeal to a wide range of people, especially parents, who would feel a greater connection and need to mitigate noise pollution. If many people do not tolerate second-hand smoke for its adverse health effects, then the attitude towards second-hand noise should also be the same (287).
