While people know that noise is disturbing, the exact nature of its harmful effects on human health remains largely unknown. In fact, noise pollution seriously impacts people's physical health and quality of life, and can even be life-threatening.
◎ Interference with Rest and Sleep, Impacting Work Efficiency
Sleep regulates metabolism and allows the brain to rest, making it essential for relieving fatigue, restoring strength, and maintaining health. However, noise can disrupt rest and make it difficult to fall asleep. Without adequate rest and recovery, people become distracted and unable to concentrate, affecting their work and study, ultimately reducing their productivity.
◎ Harm to the Auditory and Visual Nerves
Exposed to high noise levels for extended periods, the auditory system is the first to suffer, primarily manifesting as hearing loss and temporary hearing loss. Temporary hearing loss, if left unchecked and not effectively controlled, can lead to irreversible deafness. Noise poses a particularly serious health risk to children. Because children's bodies are still immature, their organs are extremely delicate and fragile. Whether it's a fetus or a newborn, noise can damage the hearing system, leading to hearing loss or even loss. According to statistics, there are over 70 million people with hearing loss worldwide, a significant portion of whom are attributable to noise exposure.
Research shows that when noise intensity reaches 90 decibels, the sensitivity of human visual cells decreases, and the reaction time to dim light is prolonged. When noise reaches 95 decibels, 40% of people experience dilated pupils and blurred vision. And when noise reaches 115 decibels, most people's ability to adapt to light brightness is weakened to varying degrees. People exposed to noisy environments are prone to eye damage such as eye fatigue, eye pain, dizziness, and tearing. Furthermore, noise can cause abnormalities in color vision and visual field.
◎ Harm to the Nervous System
Noise is a harmful irritant. Long-term effects on the human central nervous system can disrupt the excitation and inhibition of the cerebral cortex, distort conditioned reflexes, and cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, frequent dreams, insomnia, palpitations, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, fear, and irritability. In severe cases, it can lead to mental disorder. Noise can also cause autonomic nervous system dysfunction, manifesting as increased or decreased blood pressure, changes in heart rate, and worsening heart disease.
◎ Cardiovascular Damage
Noise is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, accelerating heart aging and increasing the incidence of myocardial infarction. Medical experts have demonstrated through human and animal studies that long-term exposure to noise can increase adrenal secretions, leading to higher blood pressure. Exposure to an average noise level of 70 decibels for a long period of time increases the risk of myocardial infarction by approximately 30%, with nighttime noise increasing the risk even more. A survey of 1,101 female textile workers found that the incidence of hypertension was 7.2%. Among those exposed to noise levels of 100 decibels, the incidence reached 15.2%.
◎ Damage to Women's Physiological Functions
Noise exposure can cause sexual dysfunction, menstrual irregularities, and increased miscarriage rates in women. A three-year systematic survey conducted by experts in seven regions, including Harbin, Beijing, and Changchun, found that noise has adverse effects on menstruation and fertility, leading to miscarriage, premature birth, and even birth defects. A survey was once conducted abroad on the widespread incidence of miscarriage and premature birth among pregnant women in a certain area. The results showed that the women lived near an airport, and the culprit was the huge noise made by the planes taking off and landing.
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