Noise

Noise is part of everyday life, but loud noise can damage your health. Noise is all around us, from disruptive sounds like road traffic, to calming sounds like a bird song. Environmental noise is described as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human actions. This includes road, rail, air traffic and industry. Noise pollution is increasingly becoming a local environmental problem with increased complaints from the general public.

Harmful sounds - sounds that are too loud or loud sounds over a long time - can damage your hearing and have other impacts on your well-being.

Noise can be annoying, especially if it is at night keeping you awake. The sources of nuisance noise include noisy neighbours, construction and industrial noise. Identifying what constitutes an annoying noise can, however, be open to debate.

Trucks in traffic in Dublin

Some large trucks can produce 90 dB of noise. This is very loud for an urban setting, like these trucks captured in Drumcondra, Dublin.

Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

Trucks in traffic in Dublin
Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

Trucks in traffic in Dublin

Some large trucks can produce 90 dB of noise. This is very loud for an urban setting, like these trucks captured in Drumcondra, Dublin.

Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

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Ardkeen Library Reference

A library is one of the quietest placee to be. The reference area in Ardkeen Library seems like a very peaceful place to be.

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Ardkeen Library Reference
Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Ardkeen Library Reference

A library is one of the quietest placee to be. The reference area in Ardkeen Library seems like a very peaceful place to be.

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Enlarge image

How is noise measured?

Decibels (dB) are used to measure noise. The instrument used is called a noise meter. It responds in a similar way to the human ear, to assess sound pressure levels.

There are a range of sound levels, some of which are low and some of which are very loud. Typical sound levels measured are as follows:

Painful