7.8 Noise Pollution

Describe human activities that result in noise pollution and its effects.

• Noise pollution is sound at levels high enough to cause physiological stress and hearing loss.
• Sources of noise pollution in urban areas include transportation, construction, and domestic and industrial activity.
• Some effects of noise pollution on animals in ecological systems include stress, the masking of sounds used to communicate or hunt, damaged hearing, and causing changes to migratory routes.
• Enduring understanding STB-2: Human activities have physical, chemical, and biological consequences for the atmosphere.