Today is International Noise Awareness Day (April 24) – an annual day that aims to raise awareness of noise on the welfare and health of people around the world. Here, we talk about why this day is important. The global campaign was founded by the Centre for Hearing and Communication in the USA in 1996, the day aims to encourage people to do something about disruptive or excessive noise where they live, work and relax. It unites people around the world in their mission to reduce unwanted noise.
Has noise become more of a problem?
Noise pollution is defined as unwanted or excessive sound that can have harmful effects on human health. The impact of noise on people’s lives has gained much more attention thanks to the press and via social media channels. Councils regularly receive reports of noisy neighbours, loud traffic, railways or construction sites working outside of sociable hours. And, a lot of these issues from upset residents, are highlighted by local newspapers and broadcasters. Increased noise can influence quality of life with issues including insomnia, disrupted sleep, stress, high blood pressure and heart disease. For workers too, those who are exposed to loud noise throughout their working day are at a higher risk of hearing damage or loss.
What is excessive noise?
According to statistics from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, occupational deafness caused by exposure to high noise levels at work is one of the most prevalent forms of ill-health in the UK. The organisation estimates that more than two million people in the UK are regularly exposed to loud noise at work. Sound is measured in decibels (dB) and anything above 85dB is deemed to cause a significant risk to health. That is why the World Health Organisation recommends a limit of no more than 85dB for eight hours a day. Putting that into context, an everyday conversation is around 50dB while an alarm clock ringing reaches up to 60dB.
How can we help?
As awareness increases around noise pollution, so does the need for noise mitigation and protection. Here at Echo Barrier, noise mitigation is at the forefront of everything we do and is the reason behind our market-leading products. Our acoustic barriers help to reduce noise produced from construction work and live music events, helping to protect workers and the surrounding community. To discover the portfolio of products we have in the Echo Barrier range, visit www.echobarrier.co.uk/noise-reduction-barriers/