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.