If an object vibrated sound is produced. If this is in pleasant to hear that is called music and we will pay attention to it. All the sounds are not pleasant to hear they are called noises. These noises pollute the peaceful and quiet atmosphere and create noise pollution.

How sound is measured:

Sound is measured in terms of decibels. The name of Alexander Graham Bell, who contributed a lot for the deaf, has been given to the unit of sound. We can hear up to 85 decibels, after 85 decibels it begin to produce bad effects on human beings. If it is more than 120 decibels the ear cannot bear it and will cause pain in the ear.

Sources of sound pollution:

1.) People living in cities suffer a lot due to sound pollution created by sounds of trains, buses, motor vehicles without silencers, cassette recorders/decks etc. 

2.) In some cases noises produced by crackers on diwali and brass bands in the name of victory celebration, release of new pictures, marriages become intolerable and make people more irritable.

3.) The noises made by an aeroplane, a supersonic plane, create sound pollution and they may damage near by buildings also.

Hazards due to sound pollution:

1.) The most affected part in human is human ear. Luckily it is designed in such a manner that even if unbearable sounds are heard for a short while, it does not undergo permanent damage and regains its ability to hear sounds normally.

2.) However there is some damaging result owing to sound pollution. Constant exposure to sound pollution may lead to impatience, burning sensation in the heart, indigestion, ulcers in the stomach, high blood pressure, heart diseases etc.

3.) A person living amidst noises continuously may be mentally affected. He may suffer from nervous weakness. He may lose memory also.

4.) Intense sounds that fall on the ear suddenly harm the eardrum and also the brain. Such sounds are particularly harmful to babies, children and pregnant women.

5.) Sound pollution may also spoil sleep, work-efficiency and concentration.

6.) Tiresomeness, restlessness, headache, lack of appetite, indigestion, getting easily excited or irritated are some of the effects due to sound pollution.

7.) Sound pollution may make a person temporarily or permanently deaf.

8.) In an industry this sound pollution may result in workers inefficiency leading to low productivity. For today's society, which is developing industrially, this sound pollution has become an inescapable penalty.

Prevention mesures to be taken to avoid sound pollution:

1.) If every one co-operates in this endeavor, we can protect ourselves from the bad effects of sound pollution.

2.) All motor vehicles should move using the horn too many times.

3.) Suitable traffic arrangements are to be made.

4.) Loudspeakers should be used only after the police department issues permission. Suitable steps must be taken to ensure this.

5.) Some proper steps should be taken to prevent sound pollution in factories.

6.) To protect our ears from deafening noises we can put some cotton balls in our ears. We may also wear ear masks for this purpose.

7.) While constructing houses it must be planned that outside noises do not enter the house.

8.) Trees must be grown all round the house. They also prevent external noise from entering the house.

9.) Trees must also be grown around factories, along streets and roads.

10.) Big vehicles making a lot of noises and releasing smoke should not be allowed to enter residential areas of cities and towns.

11.) Airports must be constructed sufficiently away from cities.

12.) Permission should not be granted to install loudspeakers in areas where there are schools, hospitals and other sensitive institution.

13.) Even crackers must not be exploded and those who misuse the rule must be severely punished.

In this manner sound pollution can be controlled and reduce. These united efforts must be made to reduce sound pollution.