High decibels are no music to our ears

High decibels are no music to our ears

R. Sai Harisha, Grade 9/TDIS

The traffic din on roads, ear-splitting "music" roaring at
concerts, resounding music at discos and deafening noise at
videogame arcades are common in Indonesia and in many other
countries.

Though this may be seem enjoyable at first, few seem to
realize that this adds to the already high level of noise
pollution in Indonesia. Although occasional loud and frightening
noises are a part of nature, only in recent history has the world
become urban, industrial and chronically noisy.

Most noise pollution comes from automobiles, concerts and
industries. Some household appliances such as lawn mowers and
leaf blowers also contribute significantly to noise pollution.
Even music, when played through earphones at a high volume, can
be as damaging to the ear as a roaring chain saw.

As students, we are most affected by it. I remember that I was
unable to do as well as I hoped owing to the fact that I was
unable to find a quite place in the apartment to study. Noise
pollution from traffic was disturbing as well as frustrating. At
one science exhibition conducted in our school, I took up the
initiative to enlighten the people on this burning issue.

I was shocked to discover how much noise pollution we were
exposed to daily, and that we hardly seemed to realize it. Rock
concerts, frequently attended by Indonesian youth, measured 110
decibels (a sound intensity measurement). This is just 20
decibels less than the threshold of pain, which can cause
permanent hearing damage. Another shocking discovery was that a
sound of 120 decibels could cause a fatal heart attack!

At our school, children who live close by are advised to walk
or to ride bicycles to school rather than noisy automobiles. This
makes wards healthier and at the same time, keeps noise pollution
away from school premises.

In a busy city like Jakarta, chaotic traffic is an
unsurprising sight. People who have to travel a great distance in
order to reach their workplace are most affected by noise
pollution as well as by exhaust smoke pollution.

As noted recently in a column in The Jakarta Post, driving in
Jakarta does require "nerves of steel". Apart from being
frustrated by the traffic, we are also exposed to high decibel
levels and continuous noise pollution, and are more likely to
suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes. Those residing in
areas close to the main roads are frequently exposed to this
hazard.

Constant exposure to loud noise leads to nerve disorders,
irritability and hearing impairment. This easily affects
teenagers. They suffer from irritation and are unable to
concentrate on their studies. It can cause stress and create or
worsen physical problems such as high blood pressure, chronic
exhaustion and heart disease. It also affects sleep. When sleep
is disturbed by noise, work efficiency and health may also
suffer.

Noise pollution exists not only on the roads, but also within
residential premises. The noise mostly comes from neighbors'
music systems played at a loud volume and even unserviced air
conditioners.

Another significant contributor to noise pollution are
videogame arcades. With all the machines jingling and buzzing, it
is difficult to distinguish sounds. All that can be made out is
one's eardrums beating in a painful fashion. One step into the
popular arcade Timezone is enough to prove this. The high-decibel
noise makes it even difficult to hear one's own voice. This may
cause hearing loss in the long run.

Noise pollution, apart from affecting health, does not allow
cries of help to be heard. On the roads, for example, with all
the automobile traffic and din, it is next to impossible to hear
the cries of help from unlucky pedestrians who may be threatened
by thieves.

Though it is a Herculean task to prevent noise pollution on
roads and in factories, it is possible to reduce traffic noise
pollution by providing efficient mass transportation systems,
thereby reducing traffic on the roads. In factories, proper
maintenance of machinery will reduce noise pollution. Factory
workers should protect themselves with ear plugs or ear muffs
like ear protectors, particularly when noise levels exceed 85
decibels. Civic awareness programs can bring down noise pollution
from neighbors who love loud music.

Even we have a part to play in reducing noise pollution. Let
all of us join hands and work together and make Indonesia an
environmentally friendly place.