TagEnvironmental Health & Safety News(1)

Director: James McCarroll, M.D. Editor: Peter A. Breysse, M.S., M.P.H. Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. 1972 . Vo 1 ume 20, Nos. 9, 1 0, 11 , 12 THE UNBEARABLE MENACE -- AIRPORT NOISE Noise, defined as unwanted sound, surrounds the urban dweller in a never-ending excessive and gradually increasing din of decibels. No one is exposed more intolerably than the citizen who resides in close proximity to a major airport. Exposure of humans to noise can result in both mental and physical distress. While the most noticeable effect of noise exposure involves the hearing mechanism, certain noises may result in non-auditory distress such as alterations in resoiration, circulation, basal metabolic rate. and muscle tension. These physical effects are primarily related to intensity and frequency of the offending sound. Equally important and very likely more important than the physical manifestations are the possible psychologic effects. Psychologic reactions invo 'lve a multiplicity of factors which vary v-Jith the characteristics of the sound -- the inappropriateness of the stimulus, unexpectedness of the noise, interference \'ith speech COITimunication, and intermittancy, as well as its intensity and frequency. The quality of the noise rather than the quantity is usually the deciding factor in influencing the emotional reactions to raise. No doubt the most widespread reaction to noise is that of annoyance. Certain characteristics of sound appear more annoying than others. These characteristics are: 1. Loudness- the more intense, louder noises are considered more annoying. 2. Pitch- a high pitch noise is generally more annoying than…