Noise pollution é any noise or sound emission that can to harm The health, the peace and well-being of individuals. It is considered a serious problem, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), since it affects the quality of life of thousands of people.
In addition to health issues, noise pollution is also a reason for conflicts between the population, therefore, a problem covered by law and framed as environmental crime. According to the Public Ministry, with respect to the environment, noise pollution is related to quality of life, urban planningand to cultural heritage.
We live with noise pollution on a daily basis. THE life in big cities, amidst traffic with large flows of vehicles; to civil works; the use of telephones, stereos, and other electronics, causes irritability and take the peace of thousands of people.
Headaches, lack of concentration, low immunity and malaise they are usually common symptoms experienced by people who live with excessive noise. Noise pollution is, therefore, a common problem in the lives of many citizens.
Many Brazilians believe that there is an acceptable time to “make noise”. However, this is a wrong idea, as making noises or sounds that affect social well-being is harmful, regardless of the time of day or night.
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Law
The issue of noise pollution is discussed in law through the federal Constitution, fur civil Code (Law No. 10.406/02) and by the laws of the student and municipal spheres, which are responsible for ensuring silence and also for supervising it. THE Law No. 9,605/1998, in article 54, known as Environmental Crimes Law, says that causing pollution of any nature that could harm human health or animals and flora is considered a crime and is punishable.|1|
In the Federal Constitution, noise pollution is dealt with by Law No. 6.938/81, which institutes the National Environmental Policy. In article 3, pollution is defined as any activity that directly or indirectly may harm health, reach the biota, affect aesthetic and sanitary conditionsas well as being in disagreement with environmental standards settled down. Therefore, noise pollution is considered degradation of environmental quality.
In traffic, there is a huge concentration of noise that causes irritability and discomfort.
To be considered noise pollution, there needs to be a technical report that proves the possible damages associated with excessive noise. If the sound or noise is outside the standards stipulated by law, through the resolutions of the National Council for the Environment (Conama), there is the possibility of being classified as an environmental crime. According to the Public Ministry, the sound intensity is measured based on the magnitude known as decibel (dB), and this measurement is made through the device called decibel meter.
THE Resolution No. 001/90, from Conama, establishes that:
"The emission of noise, as a result of any industrial, commercial, social or recreational activities, including those of political advertising, will comply, in the interests of health and public peace, with the standards, criteria and guidelines established in this Resolution."
Other resolutions deal with the noise produced by any other activity, such as the domestic cleaning service it's the vehicle use. According to the WHO, the tolerable limit for humans is 65 dB, above that, there are hearing impairment depending on the exposure time.
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Examples
There are many sources that can emit sounds or noises that disturb people's quality of life. Here are some examples:
Traffic noises: horns, sound cars, noise from the flow of cars.
Household noises: sounds of blenders, vacuum cleaners, mixers, stereos, hair dryers, lawn mowers, etc.
Industrial noises: equipment in industries, machines, saws etc.
Consequences
Sleep disturbance is one of the problems caused by exposure to excessive noise.
The World Health Organization points out that noise pollution is a serious problem, considering that it is capable of triggering reactions of stress, sleep disorders, metabolic diseases and cardiovascular, cognitive deficit, problems auditoryand also obesity. Excessive noise fromiputs the body in a state of alert, impairing rest.
The organization points out that an individual should not be exposed to more than 30 dB during the period he sleeps, considering that the heard is the organ of Human Body that, even during sleep, don't rest. WHO also warns that exposure to more than 120 dB, without wearing hearing protection, can cause ache physics.
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Other problems like anxiety, affliction anddepressionare also associated with excessive noise exposure, as this releases inappropriately hormones that negatively alter the organism.
Solutions
For avoid noise pollution, it is necessary, according to the Public Ministry, to restrict the sounds to the environment in which they are generated. acoustic insulation, are often an option. Avoid noisy environments, loud sound or a lot of conversation. wear ear protection it is also an alternative for those who live daily in the large urban centers.
In relation to control of noise pollution, some instruments pointed out by the public ministry are: environmental zoning; environmental monitoring; acoustic coating of establishments; use of appropriate equipment, among others.
Know more: 10 ways to preserve the environment
|1| Environmental Crimes Law. To access, Click here.
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