Fig 1: Wind Turbines at a distance, From: https://wall.alphacoders.com/by_sub_category.php?id=201421&name=Wind+Turbine+Wallpapers&filter=4K+Ultra+HD

 

While preparing for a presentation on green energy, I came across an article that mentioned how wind turbines are potential sources of noise pollution. For background, wind turbines are large structures found on land or offshore spaces where the wind is conveniently accessible and present (fig 1). Through the medium of wind, the rotor blades of wind turbines spin, generating electricity (National Geographic, n.d.). Although sustainable in developing clean energy, it has potential issues regarding noise pollution on wildlife.

According to Teff-Seker et al. (2022), low-frequency noise generated by wind turbines can affect the natural acoustic environment, thereby influencing wildlife behaviours. Such noises can be in the form of mechanical noise during maintenance, and aerodynamic noise produced by wind passing through turbines. It was found that noise from wind turbines can cause changes in species’ demography, composition and habitation. This is more so towards avian species as compared to terrestrial animals. The article also mentioned that the aspect of noise pollution from wind turbines is often disregarded during Environment Impact Assessments (EIA). This would lead to greater environmental disruption to the local wildlife where wind turbines are situated at (Teff-Seker et al., 2022). Therefore, the paper brought attention to the need for greater planned regulations to reduce wind turbine noises on wildlife through a more inclusive EIA to noise pollution. As a relatively limited researched topic, more is also needed to better understand the effects of wind turbine noises on wildlife.

 

Reference

Teff-Seker, Y., Berger-Tal, O., Lehnardt, Y., & Teschner, N. (2022). Noise pollution from wind turbines and its effects on wildlife: A cross-national analysis of current policies and planning regulations. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 168, 112801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112801

Wind Energy. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wind-energy/

Fig 1: Cartoon about snoring. From “Snoring: Is it my blocked nose or Something Worse”, https://www.drannabelle.com/blog/snoring-is-it-my-blocked-nose-or-something-worse/

 

I have always shared the same room with my brother growing up since when I was young. Apart from hanging out, talking and spending time with one another, we do also share the same sleeping space in the form of a double-decker bed. Recently, maybe due to the stress in life, he has been snoring more loudly and more frequently than ever before, disrupting my sleep cycle. This has left me with lesser productive rests in the past few months. Today, the blog will aim to cover snoring regarding noise pollution.

A paper by Sowho et al. (2020) has looked at whether snoring can be classified as noise pollution, thereby exploring how then it can affect bed partners’ (or siblings) health and quality of rest. The paper also investigates obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with the frequency and intensity of snoring.

Based on the study, it was discovered that people who experience OSA have a generally higher likelihood and intensity of snoring. No significance was found based on gender on the likelihood of snoring. It was also found that 12% of people sampled snored at levels exceeding the level for nocturnal noise pollution, at the sound level of above 53dB (Sowho et al., 2020). Such noise levels and intensity have the potential to increase the risk of adverse health effects like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular ones, apart from a disrupted sleep cycle (Dutchen, 2022). Hence, this article challenges the view that noise pollution should only be viewed on a larger scale, but it can also take place in places as small and confined as your own bedroom.

 

Reference

Snoring and Blocked nose | ENT Specialist Singapore. (n.d.). https://www.drannabelle.com/blog/snoring-is-it-my-blocked-nose-or-something-worse/

Sowho, M., Sgambati, F. P., Guzman, M. A., Schneider, H., & Schwartz, A. (2020). Snoring: a source of noise pollution and sleep apnea predictor. Sleep, 43(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsz305

The Effects of Noise on Health. (2022). Harvard Medicine Magazine. https://hms.harvard.edu/magazine/viral-world/effects-noise-health#:~:text=They’ve%20shown%20that%20noise,attention%20deficits%3B%20childhood%20learning%20delays%3B

 

 

Fig 1: Black Rhino and her calf, Ol Pejeta

 

 

After spending 10-11 days in beautiful Kenya, it is time for another blog post about noise pollution. Not surprisingly, I would like to talk about noise pollution in Kenya itself. As mentioned previously, noise pollution has been known to affect people and animals (or wildlife) in terms of the stress levels caused and behaviour. To understand how much noise can affect people and wildlife, noise pollution mapping can be one of the ways to comprehend its effects.

A study done by  Wawa & Mulaku (2015) created a noise level map based in urban Nairobi, the Capital of Kenya. Through the study, it was found that noise intensity increases from the west to the east of Nairobi, where such noise is produced by traffic and industrial activities. Noise levels range from 61db in the west to a certain high of 78db in certain hotspots at eastern Nairobi. Despite being the first noise map of Kenya, the move would be of great help in facilitating noise level control, especially following Regulation 3(2) of the EMCA (Environmental Management and Coordination Act).

However, more needs to be done concerning managing noise levels in wildlife and natural areas. From my trip to Kenya, tourism and its relevant activities can also cause noise pollution in the form of traffic via game drives and even camping. The novel use of noise maps in natural areas like national parks and conservancies can allow better management of noise to protect the precious wildlife Kenya has to offer. Hence, more research is needed to understand noise levels in Kenya’s wild areas to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of noise on people and wildlife.

 

 

 

Reference

Wawa, E. A., & Mulaku, G. C. (2015). Noise Pollution Mapping Using GIS in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Geographic Information System, 07(05), 486–493. https://doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2015.75039

 

Figure 1: Mask-wearing commuters in Singapore’s MRT. From “Singapore to deport Briton who refused to wear mask, reports say”, by SOPA Images (n.d.), https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-19/singapore-to-deport-briton-who-refused-to-wear-mask-reports-say#xj4y7vzkg

 

The Covid-19 pandemic (or endemic) is just over 3 years old. First beginning in 2019, the virus has brought the world down, throwing the economic, social, environmental and health systems into disarray. Fortunately, with the introduction of vaccinations, the world has begun returning back to the new normal, allowing the resumption of our daily activities in the endemic. Today, Singapore announced the move from the dorscon yellow to green status. While people around me celebrate this news of a mask-free future, I cannot help but wonder if noise pollution affects Covid-19 transmission and increases the risk to others.

Research on noise pollution has analysed its effect on health issues such as chronic cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, where its effect and incidence can be enhanced due to stresses that can be induced by noise (Jariwala et. al., 2017). As such, it may be possible that noise may also contribute to increasing incidence and risk towards Covid-19.  Apart from environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and air temperature, one research has paid attention to noise pollution on Covid-19 incidence. According to Díaz et. al. (2021), a short-term study carried out in Madrid, Spain has shown clearly that noise is associated with severe effects of Covid-19 after taking into account potential confounders like demographic and patients’ previous health issues (to name a few). For example, deductions made from the data collated are that noise can influence the immune system through the enhancement of stress levels, lack of proper sleep, and oxidative stress caused by psychological stress.  However, noise pollution on mortality and incidence of Covid-19 was not discovered to be associated together.

Despite being a novel topic for research, Díaz’s paper has clearly highlighted noise pollution potential in enhancing the severity of Covid-19 among people. Moving forward, it will be helpful for different stakeholders to incorporate this understanding to better protect people’s health. As noise continues to surround us, more so in the cityscape, we have to be mindful of its potential to harm us in the long run, lest a new pandemic is to happen yet again.

 

Reference

C. (2023, February 9). Masks no longer required on public transport from Feb 13 as Singapore moves to Dorscon green. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/masks-no-longer-required-on-public-transport-from-feb-13-as-singapore-moves-to-dorscon-green

Díaz, J., Antonio-López-Bueno, J., Culqui, D., Asensio, C., Sánchez-Martínez, G., & Linares, C. (2021). Does exposure to noise pollution influence the incidence and severity of COVID-19? Environmental Research, 195, 110766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110766

Jariwala, H., Syed, H. S., Pandya, M. J., & Gajera, Y. M (2017). Noise Pollution & Human Health: A Review

 

Figure 1: Healthy Microbiome. https://www.istockphoto.com/video/animation-floating-through-good-microbes-in-the-intestine-healthy-microbiome-gm1293799839-388068595

 

So far, we have seen in previous blog posts that noise pollution has the ability to affect both people and wildlife. Negative effects have been explored through general noises such as traffic, shipping, and even festivals. In this week’s post, we will dive into the micro world, a place where noise pollution and its effects are pretty much unknown.

Different Studies have shown noise’s effect on different types of microorganisms. This takes into account different levels of frequency and decibel levels. For example, studies by Gu et al. (2016) & Shaobin et al, (2010) have shown that microorganisms like E.coli responded positively where colony formation was higher than without the influence of noise. Also, studies on Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus showed greater efficiency in biomass growth (Murphy et al., 2016). Moving from bacteria, fungi and zooplankton also see greater biomass growth when subjected to noise, where the best growth was recorded at a frequency of 2.2 kHz (Cai et al., 2016).

These results, although positive, would prove detrimental if health-damaging bacteria growth would be enhanced under noise with differing frequencies (Cui et al., 2016). Bacteria like gut microbiota can have the potential to cause diabetes and the early arrival of Alzheimer’s disease (Robinson et al., 2021).  As such, with the limited amount of studies available, more has to be done to look holistically at noise and frequency on microorganism growth in greater spaces such as ecosystems. More attention can be given to bad bacteria growth encouraged by noise on the human body.

 

Reference

Cai, W., Dunford, N. T., Wang, N., Zhu, S., & He, H. (2016). Audible sound treatment of the microalgae Picochlorum oklahomensis for enhancing biomass productivity. Bioresource Technology, 202, 226–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.12.019

Cui, B., Gai, Z., She, X., Wang, R., & Xi, Z. (2016). Effects of chronic noise on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota–host inflammatory homeostasis in rats. Scientific Reports, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36693

Gu, S., Zhang, Y., & Wu, Y. (2016). Effects of sound exposure on the growth and intracellular macromolecular synthesis ofE. colik-12. PeerJ, 4, e1920. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1920

Murphy, M. F., Edwards, T., Hobbs, G., Shepherd, J., & Bezombes, F. (2016). Acoustic vibration can enhance bacterial biofilm formation. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 122(6), 765–770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.05.010

Robinson, J. M., Cameron, R., & Parker, B. (2021). The Effects of Anthropogenic Sound and Artificial Light Exposure on Microbiomes: Ecological and Public Health Implications. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.662588

Shaobin, G., Wu, Y., Li, K., Li, S., Ma, S., Wang, Q., & Wang, R. (2010). A pilot study of the effect of audible sound on the growth of Escherichia coli. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 78(2), 367–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.02.028

 

 

Figure 1: Exploding Firecrackers, by Jrawat Amornpornhaemahiran (n.d.),https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/exploding-chinese-firecrackers-with-much-smoke-gm671664612-122945887

 

First of all, a Happy Lunar New Year to everyone. When people think of the Lunar New Year, one iconic instrument of celebration naturally arises in their minds.  Can you guess it? Firecrackers!

In the midst of the festive season, firecrackers are commonplace in various Chinatowns across the globe. However, not many of us in Singapore can experience the sound of firecrackers during this festive season due to the “Dangerous Fireworks Act 1972” that was passed off previously. Fortunately, those that were able to celebrate the New year in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia would realise how loud and excessive firecrackers can be to the ears. According to a study by Smoorenburg (1993), an average firecracker at a 2m distance can sound at an excess of 160 dB, similar to the sound of a pistol firing without the aid of ear muffs. Hence, it is common to see people covering their ears as the firecrackers began crackling and exploding. Unfortunately, humans are not the only recipient of such noises. One can wonder about the effects such noise pollution can have on the local urban or rural wildlife.

One study has seen adverse effects on the local urban avian population by the use of pyrotechnics during festivities. According to Bernat-Ponce et al. (2021), the amount of house sparrows in the Valencia Region of Spain has decreased significantly as juvenile productivity (breeding) has been affected by noise generated by the use of fireworks and guns. Such a decrease happened as festivities coincided with the breeding seasons of the house sparrow between May and June. From the study, we can see that noise generated by pyrotechnics can destabilize animal behaviours and hence population. Like people, noise pollution can also affect animals in many ways, such as reproduction and breeding habits, which may affect population numbers in the short run. So remember, when the opportunity arises to celebrate with a “bang”, do so minimally (if possible) to protect both people and wildlife from the sometimes unbearable joyous noises.

 

Reference

Bernat-Ponce, E., Gil-Delgado, J. A., & López-Iborra, G. M. (2021). Recreational noise pollution at traditional festivals reduces the juvenile productivity of an avian urban bioindicator. Environmental Pollution, 286, 117247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117247

Smoorenburg, G. F. (1993). Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss following Exposure to Chinese Firecrackers. International Journal of Audiology, 32(6), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.3109/00206099309071864

469 Illegal Application Element – DOSarrest Internet Security. (n.d.). https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/DFA1972

Figure 1: Pursuit of Noise. From “In pursuit and defence of silence in a noisy city”, by Anam Musta’ein (n.d.), https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/pursuit-and-defence-silence

 

What is noise pollution? According to Gonzalez (2014), pollution is the presence of substances or energy forms which if exposed over a specific period, can affect people, resources, and the physical environment. Specifically, noise pollution is characterised as “flow pollutants”,  a type of pollutant that is short-lived but can cause harm to people, animals and the environment. Singapore is no stranger to noise pollution At only 710 Km²  in physical size and home to an estimated population of 5.5 million population, noises are all around the country.

When work-from-home (WFH) arrangements became the norm in Singapore due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans began to become exposed to many environmental noises, especially from their neighbours. According to Chia (2021), the Housing and Development Board (HDB) 11400 noise-related complaints were made in the first 8 months of 2020. Playing musical instruments, drilling and demolition by renovation works were some activities that encouraged these complaints by Singaporeans, including myself. Away from the HDBs, noise pollution can be found at construction sites, traffic along roads, and even the once-in-a-while fly-by of a military jet plane. These contributors to noise can be detrimental to both humans and animals.  Noise pollution has been discovered to cause stress and psychological disorders, along with heart problems (Hahad et. al., 2019). Meanwhile, wildlife in Singapore’s parks and nature reserves can also be affected by noises coming from traffic and construction works.

To prevent such problems caused by noise pollution, the Singapore Government has come up with regulations and guidelines which minimise the amount of noise and its effects on people and the environment (MSO, n.d.). It is recognised nationwide that the acceptable noise range lies at an average of 65 dBA across all types of premises in Singapore. However, this does not manage the amount of time noise can be produced in each premise. Furthermore, it is essentially difficult to manage noise from traffic which affects the local wildlife in Singapore. As no study on noise pollution on wildlife has been made so far in the local context, there lies the need for one to better manage noise pollution and control it in Singapore.

 

 

 

Reference

About Singapore. (n.d.). https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Xiamen/About-Singapore

Chia, L. (2022, April 22). Too much noise can harm your health. That’s potentially a problem in Singapore. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/too-much-noise-can-harm-your-health-thats-potentially-problem-singapore-2350251

Ditmer, M. A., Francis, C. D., Barber, J. R., Stoner, D. C., Seymoure, B. M., Fristrup, K. M., & Carter, N. H. (2021). Light and noise pollution impacts specialist wildlife species disproportionately. Biorxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.18.431905

González, A. E. (2014). What Does “Noise Pollution” Mean? Journal of Environmental Protection, 05(04), 340–350. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2014.54037

Hahad, O., Prochaska, J. H., Daiber, A., & Münzel, T. (2019). Environmental Noise-Induced Effects on Stress Hormones, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Dysfunction: Key Factors in the Relationship between Cerebrocardiovascular and Psychological Disorders. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2019, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4623109

Industrial Noise Control. (n.d.). https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pollution-control/noise-pollution/industrial-noise-control

In pursuit and defence of silence in a noisy city. (2021). Todayonline. https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/pursuit-and-defence-silence

MSO | Noise Regulations in Singapore. (n.d.). https://www.mnd.gov.sg/mso/infosheet-on-noise-regulations-in-singapore

The Arctic circle is one of the world’s harshest environments. Located in the northern part of the world, the region supports a large variety of wildlife which includes the likes of polar bears, narwhals and many species of penguins.  The Arctic also supports many Inuit communities living within the cold and quiet wilderness.  Recently, however, the Arctic has become a space for economic integration due to the interest of many Arctic nations (Canada, USA, Russia, Denmark etc.) in the existing oil and gas fields located beneath the large expanse of ice. This has led to the growth of many oil rigs around the arctic sea which have contributed to many types of pollution, mainly air and water pollution through black carbon and oil spills respectively. Also, shipping routes by freight transportation have been established across the arctic, which has also negatively impacted the arctic environment through the release of black carbon into the atmosphere, thereby affecting the enhanced melting of snow and ice.

Apart from such notable environmental pollution, noise pollution through increasing anthropogenic activities in the Arctic is also important to account for. Continuing from a paper that I have written for the GE3210 module “Natural Resource: Policy and Practices” and according to Richard et al (2023) & the WWF (n.d.), anthropogenic activities in the Arctic have affected the ability of marine animals to communicate via sound due to large noises produced by ship freights and oil rigs (Figure 1). Even sonars by navy vessels to help search for new oil and gas sources can increase overall noise pollution, thereby affecting behavioural patterns and inducing stress in them. Subsequently, changes in animals’ behaviour can affect the Inuit communities socially as access to food can be disrupted in the long run.

Moving from this example of the Arctic, my blog will aim to focus on and explore the causes and effects of noise pollution on different environments, be it in a natural or urban setting. Also, I hope that recommended solutions can be looked into resolving noise pollution in protecting animals, people and the environment altogether.

 

 

 

Reference

Arctic | National Geographic Society. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/arctic/

Noise pollution from Arctic shipping more than doubled in six years putting whales and other marine life at risk. (2022, April 8). WWF Arctic. https://www.arcticwwf.org/newsroom/news/noise-pollution-from-arctic-shipping-more-than-doubled-in-six-years-putting-whales-and-other-marine-life-at-risk/

Oil and gas. (2022, May 13). WWF Arctic. https://www.arcticwwf.org/threats/oil-and-gas/

Pettersen, T. (n.d.). Russia’s Arctic oil rig reaches 4 million barrels – Eye on the Arctic. Eye on the Arctic. https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2015/07/31/russias-arctic-oil-rig-reaches-4-million-barrels/

Richard, G., Mathias, D., Collin, J., Chauvaud, L., & Bonnel, J. (2023). Three-dimensional anthropogenic underwater noise modelling in an Arctic fjord for acoustic risk assessment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 187, 114487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114487