Chapter 7

NOISE AND THERMAL POLLUTION

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Define noise and thermal pollution.

2. Identify the major sources of noise pollution and its classification.
3. Cite the effects of noise pollution to human health and its classifications.
4. Identify the major sources of thermal pollution.
5. Discuss the effects of thermal pollution.

Noise Pollution consists of pressure waves that travel through the air and that we perceive it
as unwanted or unpleasant irritating sound beyond the tolerance of the human ear. It often
results to an annoying condition and damages to ears which may cause deafness.

Most noise sources are measured in terms of intensity, or strengths of the sounds filled in
decibels. The standard limit, one decibel, is the amount of sound that is just audible to the
average human. A 10-fold increase in the strength of the sound is 10 units on the decibel
scale.

NOISE LEVEL DECIBELS

Threshold hearing 1
Normal breathing 10
Whispering 20
Quiet office 30
Homes 40
Quiet restaurant 50
Conversation 60
Automobile 70
Food blender 80
Heavy-duty blender 100
Jet aircraft taking off/Clap of thunder 120

Table 7.1. The decibel values of some representative

sounds

 Noise level as low as 50-55 decibels may delay or interfere with sleep and result in
feelings of fatigue on awakening.
 Noise levels in the 90 decibels may cause irreversible damages in autonomic nervous
system. Noise may be a factor of stress related diseases such as peptic ulcer or
hypertension.
 Noises at or above the 120-decibel level is painful and can cause permanent partial
hearing loss.
 Noise at the uppermost level greater than 150 decibels even at a single short-term
blast may cause traumatic hearing loss and physical damage inside the ear.

Major Sources of Noise Pollutions and its Classifications

1. Transportation: constitutes the surface transport vehicles and traffic condition
2. Industrial: composed of the constructions and industrial machineries. (textile
loom and conveyors)
3. Household: includes home appliances like radio, tv, vacuum cleaner, air
conditioner, food blender and washing machine.
 4. Military: comprises of explosives, ammunition and other warfare equipment.

Effects of Noise Pollution to Human Health and its Classification

1. Biosocial effects: social interactions by means of communication with friends, family,
students, co-workers; interferes with conversation; interferes with relaxation,
leisure and sleep.
2. Biophysical/Physiological effect: effects of anatomical (structural) and physiological
(functional) aspects:
 Hearing damage and loss
 Migraine headache
 Stress reaction
 Muscle tension
 Dilation of pupils (wincing)
 Spasms of stomach (gastric ulcers)
 Blood vessel constriction which can increase blood pressure which can
contribute to heart disease
 Increase irritability, lowers productivity, and decrease tolerance levels

Thermal or Heat Pollution

Thermal pollution is the discharge of waste heat via energy dissipation into cooling water
and subsequently into nearby waterways. Heat can be unnaturally added to streams and
lakes by cutting down a forest completely. This exposes brooks and streams to the direct
sunlight, which makes the water temperature rise. As the brooks and streams flow into large
bodies of water, the warm water can kill fish and other water animals incapable of tolerating
the higher temperatures.

Major Sources of Thermal Pollution

1. Fossil fuel electric power plants
2. Nuclear fuel, electric power generating facilities
3. Cooling operations associated with industrial manufacturing
4. Earth’s surface temperatures
5. CO and CO2 as products of combustion for greenhouse effect
6. Hot water vapor

Effects of Thermal Pollution

1. Ecological imbalance resulting in major fish kills near the discharge source.
2. Accelerates chemical-biological processes
3. Decreases the ability of water to hold dissolved oxygen
4. Thermal changes affect the aquatic system by limiting or changing the type of fish
and aquatic biota to grow and reproduce in the water.
5. Contributes to the greenhouse effect of global warming.

References

Agsalud, Priscilla Signey L., et al. 2013. Environmental Science. Malabon City:
Jimczyville Publications.

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Activity 7.1: Comprehension (25 pts)

Answer the following briefly and direct to the point.

1. Define noise pollution.

2. Now that you are aware of noise pollution, identify the major causes of noise pollution
around your home.

3. Define thermal pollution.

4. Identify the major sources of thermal pollution.

5. What are the effects of thermal pollution.

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