In the previous blog post (Renewable Energies: Part 3), we talked about how hydropower energy is cleaner than the traditional fossil fuels since it does not produce much carbon emissions, but it still results in thermal pollution. For this, we will focus more on how hydropower plants may potentially produce noise pollution.
When we think about the noise produced by the hydropower plants, we probably assume that the noise we can hear is just the sound of the artificial waterfall and has some sort of calming sensation (like the ones we listen to on Spotify).
However, it is not necessarily the case for hydropower plants. In a study conducted by Carvaloa, Leroyb, Calixtoc and Borgesd (2005), the noise produced by the hydropower plants is comparable to the noise produced by an airplane engine. In fact, the noise produced by the hydropower plants can be as high as 120 decibels, which is even louder than the noise produced during a rock concert (White, 2012).
Also, it was mentioned that most workers working in the hydropower plants are not equipped with proper protective equipment to block out the noise produced in the powerhouse (Carvaloa, Leroyb, Calixtoc & Borgesd, 2005). In the Bureau of Reclamation in United States, it was said that 20 to 25% of the worker’s compensation costs are due to hearing loss compensation (White, 2012). Besides just resulting in hearing loss, loud noise produced by the hydropower plants can cause sleep disturbance, heart diseases and other health problems (Berndt, 2018).
This shows that hydropower plants may not be as good as what most people may think. Yes, hydropower plants are definitely a better and cleaner source for production of energy. But, just because it produces less carbon emissions does not mean that it does not pollute the environment at all, which shows how thermal and noise pollution are not taken as seriously compared to other pollution, such as, air pollution and water pollution.
References
Berndt, A. (2018, December 10) Sound advice. Internatinal Water Power & Dam Construction. Retrieved from https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/features/featuresound-advice-6891522/
Carvalhoa, M. L. D. U., Leroyb, W., Calixtoc, R. J., & Borgesd, C. I. (2005) Noise Evaluation of Hydroelectric Power Plants. Inter-noise Rio 2005: the 2005 International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, Rio De Janerio, 2005.
White, T. J. (2012, March 26). Stop that ‘Dam’ Noise: ONR and Nation’s Engineers Tackle Noise at Hydroelectric Plants. Office of Naval Research Science & Technology. Retrieved from https://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2012/Noise-Dam-Hydroelectric-Power-ONR