Silence Is Golden

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Silence is Golden Everyday people are bombarded by unwanted noises. Trains, airplanes, bustling highways, and portable music devices have become a regular part of life almost everywhere around the world. The definition of noise pollution is an “unwanted or disturbing sound” and according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “[s]ound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of life” (EPA). Noise pollution, or annoying and potentially harmful environmental noise, has become a major issue today, but most people are completely oblivious to the encroaching problem of noise pollution. This can probably be attributed to the fact that people are unable to taste, smell, or see the effects of noise pollution. Therefore it has not received as much attention as other types of pollution such as water, air, and soil pollution. “In comparison to other pollutants, the control of environmental noise has been hampered by insufficient knowledge about its effects on humans and about dose-response relationships, but this seems to be changing as more research is carried out. However, it is clear that noise pollution is widespread and imposes long-term consequences on health” (Goines, and Hagler). But the one thing that sets noise pollution apart from its more infamous counterparts is that it is virtually impossible to escape from. Although most people are unaware of it, “[n]oise produces direct and cumulative adverse effects that impair health and that degrade residential, social, working, and learning environments with corresponding real and intangible losses” (Goines, and Hagler). Other effects include interference with sleep, communication, recreation, and concentration. “Studies have shown that there are direct links between noise and health. Problems related to

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