Presque Isle, a (sometimes) haven from the noise pollution that can harm your health
It does not matter what season it is, the relative quiet of Presque Isle State Park is wonderful. As you walk, bike, run, swim, birdwatch, skateboard or sit at a picnic table and read, you are away from our everyday noise pollution. However, even on the park, there are times when the city’s noise floats across Presque Isle Bay.
While I was walking on the park recently, a train horn blared its way through town, and the sound was clear as a bell on the park. Within five minutes, a second train made its run through town with an even louder echoing sound.
Noise is one of the very nasty kinds of pollution. We are all subject to it in our daily lives. This type of pollution is so pervasive that most of us often fail even to notice it.
Noise pollution is defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels. Experts indicate that sound levels of less than 70 dB are not damaging. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise higher than 85 dB could be hazardous. The ill effects of noise pollution on our health are many.
The medical profession has told us that it is a significant cause of diseases and disorders. Unwanted sounds can come from anywhere. It can come from the drone of cars and trucks on a nearby road, a barking dog or even your earbuds turned too loud while listening to your favorite music. It does not take much to trigger harm. Living in a city usually produces constant harmful levels of noise. The suburbs and rural areas are a bit better.
Diseases caused by noise pollution:
Hypertension
Hearing loss
Sleep disturbances
Cardiovascular dysfunctions
Dementia
Psychological problems
Child development problems
Mood swings and other behavioral conditions
Headaches
Poor cognitive function
Excessive noise pollution, from the city streets and highways to the woodlands and ocean’s commercial shipping traffic, can harm to humans, plants, trees, wildlife, birds and marine life.
Plants & Trees: Many plants and trees rely on birds and other animals to deliver essential pollen from one flower or tree to the next or disperse their seeds. Still, many birds and animals adapt to the noise by changing their behavior or moving to quieter locations. Consequently, noise is altering the landscape for trees and plants.
Animals: By changing the essential balance endured for centuries between predators and prey and exposure and behavior, plus interfering with the use of sound for communication, reproduction, and navigation noises have had a detrimental effect on animals.
What are the solutions to our noise pollution problems? There may be no solutions because the world today is full of sounds that affect our daily lives, and there is no feasible way we will rid ourselves of them. The only solution is to sensibly protect ourselves. So, close windows, use earplugs, improve home insulation, keep the volume low on electronics, plant trees or mask the sound with white noise.
Think about taking a break and visit Presque Isle, where you can find a quiet place to enjoy nature.
See you on the park!
Gene Ware is the author of 10 books. He serves on the board of the Presque Isle Light Station and is past chairman of the boards of the Tom Ridge Center Foundation and the Presque Isle Partnership. Email him at ware906@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Noise pollution intrudes on our lives, and on plant and animal wellness
