ABSTRACT
This chapter explores noise pollution, which is followed by a discussion on light pollution. Noise pollution has received little attention compared to other types of pollution, such as air or water pollution. Noise can be classified into fairly broad categories: occupational noise, neighbour noise, neighbourhood noise, and environmental (ambient) noise. When assessing the impact of noise on human well-being, it is usually classified either as occupational noise or environmental noise. The UK's Health and Safety Executive provides noise exposure calculators that help people work out their daily and weekly noise exposure, and estimate the performance of hearing protection. Environmental health practitioners use equipment that meets the standards set in the International Standard IEC 61672-1. The European Union (EU) Environmental Noise Directive sets out a programme for EU member states to map noise in densely populated areas and from major roads, airports and railways.
