The Effects of Population Density - Noise and the Effects on Individuals

The world population is growing at a frightening speed. Cities are quickly becoming over populated as they expand and they are bursting at the seams. As cities become widespread, the only place left to build is upward. All the hustle of a growing city poses several dangers for individuals such as dangerous noise levels and concerns of privacy. Self protection against the noise and lack of privacy are mandatory for one’s health and safety.

Noise and the Effects on Individuals

Any sound unwanted is a pollutant to the environment that carries both physiological and psychological effects considered to be unhealthy. Increases in population and vastly increasing density of major cities, the noise levels are increasing by about 1dB per year (Veitch, 1995). From a psychological standpoint, quality of life is likely to diminish by the disruption of interpersonal communication from the increasing noise. Despite the legislations attempt to control the noise pollution, the levels continue to rise within cities (Veitch, 1995).

Noise, to people, is different from other pollutants such as chemicals because noise is simply an annoyance; noise is not fatal. Noise does, however, pose consequences after long-term exposure such as hearing loss. People adapt to their surroundings raising tolerance levels to noise (Veitch, 1995). An individual living in a rural area may find the noise of a busy city highway a nuisance. Those who live in the city may not hear the everyday noises such as highways, airplanes, and construction zones. Many people enjoy the sound of music; however, the enjoyment of the sounds varies between people. One person may enjoy rock music whereas another person enjoys classical. A neighbor may find the loud music coming from the house across the street to be annoying.

All sounds have physical components consisting of wavelength frequency, wavelength amplitude, and wavelength purity. “Each component produces different physiological effects that interact to bring about various psychological effects” (Veitch, 1995, p. 205). Molecules located near the eardrum produce sound by the changes in air pressure. The frequency of a sound is determined by the cycle time of a the wave in a standard unit, typically about one second, establishes the sound frequency; cycles per second known as Hertz. A normal human ear perceives frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (Veitch, 1995).

Loud sudden noises causes a person to react with involuntary movements such as holding one’s breath, muscle tension, loss of skin color, dilating pupils, and blood vessels tighten. Anxiety escalates as adrenalin is pumped into the blood also increasing one’s irritability (Veitch, 1995). These are the same reaction one would have as a reaction to stress awake or asleep. If the sudden noise is loud enough, an eardrum may erupt. Loud noise, in general, does not create a sudden reaction. The person becomes