PATH commuters

Projected engagement time: 1-3 min

Most directly affected by transportation noise pollution daily Innate knowledge of pre-existing noise conditions in urban spaces

PATH commuters

Projected engagement time: 3-5 min

Unfamiliar with louder noise environments. Heightened sense of awareness in a new physical environment

Environmental Impact

• In the sea echolocation

  • Oil drilling, shipping and sonar devices have created a stressful environment for underwater creatures, including whales who can hear up to 10,000 miles away. These mammals rely on echolocation to communicate, feed, mate and navigate their environment. Interruptions from sound waves related to sonar devices have been shown to alter feeding behavior and even result in mass strandings on beach shores with signs of physical trauma including bleeding around the ears, brain and other tissues. Oceanographers have equated the noise pollution we create to “the death of a thousand cuts.”

• In the air

  • In the air, noise pollution has lead to a change in the behavior of numerous bird species. Birds have been forced to change their calls in an attempt to be heard above the noise we create, or have avoided their nighttime sleep routine to communicate at quieter times, resulting in weight loss and behavioral changes. For example, birds have changed their flight patterns to avoid man made noise, which is drastically changing ecosystems. Scrub jays are a crucial piece of the environment in New Mexico. In a typical season, these birds collect and bury pine seeds to prepare for winter. With a decline in the species, their absence has lead to a decrease in the next generation of trees to grow, risking the biodiversity of the area. 

• On the land

  • Noise pollution threatens over 100 species. Overstimulation leads to inability to mate, flee danger and feed.

  • Noise pollution has proven to be equally as dangerous for animals on land and threatens the survival of more than 100 species. Man made noise has drown out the ability for land animals to hear mating calls and reproduce with suitable mates. Likewise, overstimulation leaves animals such as baby zebras susceptible to being unable to locate their mothers for food, or hear warning calls about predators close by. The inability to successfully reproduce, feed or flee danger directly affects the stability and survival of a their population. 

Individual impact

• Physical health

  • Beyond premature hearing loss. Overexposure to loud noise over a period of time releases stress hormones causing increase blood pressure. 

  • Although 85+ is considered hazardous Anything at or above 65 decibels can trigger an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones in the blood.Studies have shown that people who live or work in loud environments are particularly susceptible to many alarming problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, low birth weight. 

• Physiological Health

  • Regular exposure  to high noise levels have higher cases of nausea, headaches, argumentativeness, and changes in mood and anxiety. 

• Sleep habits

  • Sleep is disrupted by most at around 40 dBs. This heightens psychological effects caused by noise pollution 

  • 40dB is the common threshold for noise during sleep. 

  • An article by Life & Health stated, ‘While noise is not believed to be responsible for mental health issues, it is assumed to accelerate and intensify the development of latent mental disorders. Noise may cause or contribute to neurosis, hysteria, and psychosis