Healthy Lifestyle Radio Storytime

Noise pollution is due to noise generated by motors, tools, music and appliances, affecting those engaged in industrial or frequent busy streets, but also occurs in places that once were quieter, such as restaurants, gyms, cars and homes.

The intensity of different sounds is measured in decibels (dB), and is known to the human ear can perceive sounds well up to 120 dB, however, extended emissions in excess of 85dB can generate psychological disturbance and physical damage hearing, which besides being the organ of hearing directly involved in the balance.

Noise levels in a city vary from place to place, but in many places beyond the acceptable limits. So while you stay in the library records the acceptable level of 40 dB, a loud conversation reaches 70 dB, a street traffic exceeds 85 dB and smooth takeoff of a plane or volume of a nightclub reaches 120 dB.

The sources of noise pollution are diverse:

- Motor vehicle and misuse of horn or horn.
- Noise generated by cries of hawkers, pavement repair, sirens of ambulances and patrol cars or construction of houses and buildings.
- Airports and industries.
- Electronic equipment in homes, factories, shops and entertainment venues.

Noise pollution can cause damage to auditory perception, such as note sounds (tinnitus) or ringing (tinnitus) without a source of generation, and decreased ability to hear (hearing) and even deafness. However, their effects are also noticeable in other aspects of life:

Cardiovascular system. Are common cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension, which together with poor management of stress increase the risk of a heart attack.

Glands. It has been observed that too much noise creates alterations in the pituitary gland (located in the head and responsible for coordinating large number of body functions, especially growth and reproduction) and increased secretion of adrenaline (a hormone that promotes a state of alarm and rapid reaction organism to a threat).

Digestive system. The difficulty for rest and stress levels accompanying noise pollution increase the likelihood of difficult digestion disorders such as slow movement in the bowel (colitis nervosa) and inflammation of the stomach (gastritis).

Balance. The hearing damage affect this sense, as prolonged exposure to loud sounds causes confusion and even nausea and vomiting.

Mental health. The noise favors the increase of psychological and sleep disorders, such as, aggression, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia (sleep loss), which facilitates accidents.