How Loud Is Too Loud?
Noise pollution can be defined as the noise produced by man which has detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of the community. (infoplease.com). The intensity of noise is measured in decibel units. Studies show that about 45 decibels are enough to disrupt sleep in a person. Even though the Occupational Safety and Health Agency set the levels signaling danger at 95 decibels, the sound intensity of about 85 decibels starts causing hearing damage. (Benarde, 1985).
In as much as the increase in noise levels is a consequence that must come with civilization, it is of utmost importance for measures to be taken in order to ensure that noise levels are controlled. This is because the dangers pose disasters in many dimensions. Studies over many years indicate that there is a general decline in the hearing ability of Americans due to exposure to noise (infoplease.com). The other effects are indigestion, heartburn, ulcers, and high blood pressure. These are killer diseases in the nation and I feel that very strict legislation should be put in place to ensure control of noise levels to not exceed 85 decibels as this is the point where hearing damage starts to occur.
Light Pollution
Light pollution is light that is directed to a place where it has no useful value or is not used properly thus causing a nuisance (starry night lights.com). The environment Agency defines light pollution as the brightening of the sky due to synthetic light being scattered by small particles in the atmosphere. Some of the particles could be water droplets and dust.
These stray lights can come from security lights, advertisings, street lighting, and floodlights mainly for sports events.
Some of the effects of light pollution have no direct effect on man. These are the attraction of moths to light then killing them; it creates false dawn thus interfering with the behavior of birds; disruption of plants habits. These effects can be ignored, but then again there are other effects that directly affect man. Some of these are glare from light into drivers’ eyes, unwanted light on to other peoples’ private property, and the fact that there are huge costs incurred by citizens to keep most of these lights on.
This is therefore a true problem and these effects of light should not be ignored. Light pollution has also had a negative impact on astronomy as it has become very difficult to make observations in the sky (astrosociety). The use of fossil fuels to keep these lights on increases air pollution which contributes to some of the illnesses man faces.
Electromagnetic radiation from high voltage wires.
Electromagnetic radiation can be described as the energy which is transferred from one place to another through electromagnetic waves which include: microwaves, infrared radiation, radio waves, ultraviolet radiation, gamma rays, and x-rays. (Glenn Elert 1998).
According to Dr. Mae of the Institute of Science in Society, if an individual is exposed to electromagnetic fields, the individual’s chances of getting leukemia doubles. It is also reported in the same institute that the radiation which comes from the high voltage power cables, pylons and even some of the basic electric appliances used daily in our homes, cause cancer. This danger occurs when one is exposed to electromagnetic fields of 0.4 microTeslas or more. This kind of exposure is mainly reported in areas with high voltage power lines (Institute of Science in society). Exposure to electromagnetic waves should be avoided due to the health implications.
Applications of Magnetism
The interesting topic we covered was magnetism. My interest in magnetism is due to its natural properties and it is relatively easy to use magnetic materials for experiments without necessarily exposing myself or anyone to danger. There are simple applications to which I can put a magnet. Sewing needles are used for mending shirt buttons when they loosen. The needles are very difficult to keep so I will store them using a magnet that holds them. There are cases where small pieces of metallic fillings can get into someone’s eyes. I can use a good magnet to remove these filings instead of rubbing the eyes making them sore.
Works cited
Environment agency, 2008. environmental facts, and figures. 2008. Web.
Glenn Elert, 1998. Radiobiology. Web.
Infoplease, 2005. Noise pollution. Web.
Institute of Science in Society, 2002. Electromagnetic Fields Double Leukemia Risks. Web.
Physics4kids. 1997. Thermodynamics. Web.
Work done by expanding gas (1999) expansion in gases. Web.