Urban noise is not just an annoying background. It is one of the most dangerous types of environmental pollution that is often underestimated. We see smog, smell exhaust fumes, but we get used to ignoring noise. However, the constant hum of cars, the roar of construction, screams and sirens are an ecological poison that destroys the health of billions of people. Unlike trash that can be picked up or emissions that can be filtered, noise penetrates everywhere. It is difficult to fight it, but it is necessary.Noise as an environmental factorEcology studies the interaction of living organisms with the environment. Noise is part of the environment. For animals in the forest, noise is a signal of danger. For urban residents, chronic noise is chronic stress. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes noise as the second most harmful factor after air pollution. A constant level above 55 decibels (dB) is already dangerous. In megacities, the average noise level reaches 70-80 dB during the day and 60-70 dB at night. This exceeds all imaginable norms. Sources of urban noiseThe main source is transportation. Cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles. Especially noisy are tires on asphalt and engines at traffic lights. The second most significant source is the railway and metro (vibration and noise). The third is construction (drillers, jackhammers, trucks). The fourth is household appliances (air conditioners, ventilation, elevators). The fifth is social noise (screams, barking dogs, music, fireworks). At night, the problem becomes more acute because sleep is the main time for recovery.Impact of noise on human healthChronic exposure to noise leads to: cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, heart attacks - due to adrenaline release even during sleep); sleep disturbances (even if you do not wake up, the brain reacts to noise, and deep sleep phases become shorter); reduced cognitive abilities (in children - reading delay, in adults - decreased concentration); mental disorders (irritab ... Read more