Noise
| Published date | 01 April 1976 |
| Author | Paul Harris |
| Date | 01 April 1976 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7604900208 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
CHIEF
INSPECTOR
PA
UL
HARRIS
A von and Somerset Constabulary
Motoring Correspondent of The Police Journal
NOISE
The preservation of our environment against all forms of pollu-
tion is a popular modem theme and it is pleasing to know that
more of
our
scientific resources are being turned towards this
problem. Large scale pollution in these islands probably began
with the Industrial Revolution, but it was only in recent years
that
the visible effects brought demands for action. The disposal
of waste and the production of unwanted smoke are at last con-
trolled so that
our
surroundings are now much better protected.
Unfortunately, as these pollutants have been restricted modern
engineering and transport have brought their own dangers to society
in the form of noise. Despite the amount of research which has
already been undertaken
our
ears are still subjected to constant
undesirable assaults. Sound travels through air as pressure waves
like ripples on a pond to set up vibrations in the human ear and
various forms of mass. Sounds are variable as a multitude of
different frequencies, but for the purpose of examining
our
environ-
ment noise can loosely be considered as unwanted sound, or an
intrusion which masks more acceptable sounds. Human tolerance
to noise is quite extraordinary as the ear is supplied with a built-in
protection system to prevent damage but its ability to cope with
modem noise is not without limit.
It
is common knowledge that
stress is a major contributor to many respiratory and circulatory
problems in the human body, but medical science has now re-
alized that the constant presence of noise from many sources can
add greatly to the many other stresses of modern society. Noise
is more difficult to control than any other pollutant. The human
ear is so sensitive
that
even ear plugs cannot effectively shut
out
noise and the only satisfactory solution is to lower its level at
source. Stationary industrial machines normally only cause distress
to those required to work with them and, undesirable though it may
be, such employees soon become accustomed to the conditions.
If
necessary stationary machinery is easily insulated to reduce
noise production
but
noise emanating from different forms of trans-
port poses different problems which are much more difficult to
solve.
Ev
m one vehicle, due to its mobility, can disturb hundreds
130
April
1976
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