SHHHH! The Hidden Dangers of Noise Pollution

How many of us have heard the term "noise pollution" thrown around recently and not been entirely sure what it means? 🙋‍♀️ 

I know I've been in that boat before, and it's so frustrating to see environmental terminology thrown around with no explanation as to what it is or why it's bad. Well, don't worry! Today, in Ghost Carbon's very first blog post, we're diving into what exactly noise pollution is and why it can be so damaging for our health and the world around us.

Now you might be thinking: "How can noise be pollution?" You can't see noise; it's not clogging up our atmosphere or contaminating our waterways. Yes, noise pollution is sneaky, and it's an invisible danger that is growing as we continue to develop our modern world. But before we can talk about noise pollution, we need to have a way to measure it. So, let's talk about decibels.

Decibels (dB) are a unit of measurement specifically used to gauge sound and can help to give us a frame of reference as we discuss different sounds. For example, imagine you are walking through the woods and listening to the rustling of leaves under your feet. That is going to be about 20-30 decibels of sound that you're hearing. Now, (bear with me) imagine there's a roaring, gas-powered leaf blower in those woods with you (annoying, right?). THAT is going to measure at up to 110 decibels. Now here's the crazy part, it only takes exposure to 85 decibels of sound for as little as two hours to cause real damage to our hearing.

Aside from causing hearing damage, noise pollution can actually cause a number of health issues too. How, you ask? Consistent exposure to excess noise (>85 dB) puts the body into a state of constant stress, which can exacerbate or even cause certain diseases and health problems. Constant noise can elevate anxiety without us even knowing and put the body in a state of "fight or flight." When experiencing a fight or flight response, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that elevate blood pressure and raise your heart rate. Long term, this raised heart rate and blood pressure can cause some pretty big issues, like heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Noise pollution also impacts us mentally, as sounds greater than 40 decibels can cause disturbances and disrupt our critical sleep patterns. Consistent sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and even lead to long-term issues like memory problems and cognitive development issues in children. Prolonged noise exposure is also linked to greater chances of developing mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

So, this all sounds pretty hopeless right? How do we get away from noise in a world that's full of it? Don't worry, Ghost Carbon has some ideas!

While Ghost Carbon is working on our goal of reducing this noise pollution by completely knocking out all gas-powered lawn equipment, here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe from the noise pollution in your life:

Use noise canceling headphones or earplugs! Reduce your exposure to harmful sounds by investing in a good set of headphones. Wear these in noisy work places, public transport, or anywhere else you think your ears deserve a break.

Try out a white noise machine! Some of our biggest issues with noise stem from a lack of good sleep. Try using a calming white noise machine to block out unpleasant sounds and create a more peaceful environment while you sleep.

Opt for quiet equipment! If you're in charge of your own lawn care, try out some battery-powered options. Whether you use a leaf blower, lawn mower, string trimmer, or anything else, electric equipment tends to be significantly quieter than gas. This can protect your ears and your health while working on your lawn.

Spend some time outside! Try to regularly spend some time in a quiet, natural environment to enjoy a much-needed escape from the negative effects of noise pollution! Studies show that spending time in nature is proven to lower cortisol levels and allow for true mental relaxation. Leave a comment if you want to see an entire blog post about the science behind the restorative effects of nature!

That's all for now! Stay tuned for Ghost Carbon's next blog post, coming out later this month. Make sure you leave a comment and let us know what other topics you'd like to see us discuss in the future!