Noise Disturbance Archives - Page 3 of 3

Living close to an airport can make it difficult to ignore the annoying sound of airplanes taking off and landing all day.

However, researchers from Oregon State University and Boston University’s School of Public Health have found that noise pollution may have an unrecognized negative impact on health: it may encourage weight gain. Their findings were published in the journal Environment International.

Their research shows that self-reported BMI is higher in those who are exposed to aircraft noise levels above 45 dB, and that body weight changes since the age of 18.

“A 45dB noise level is quieter than a typical home conversation (50dB) and slightly above the hushed tones of a library (40dB),” the researchers wrote.

Data from 74,848 nurses who lived close to the 90 major airports between 1995 and 2010 were used in the US study. During this time, researchers measured aircraft noise levels every five years using a 24-hour time span and accounting for differences in noise levels during the day and night.

BMI changes starting at age 18 were also computed. According to the study’s findings, older adults appear to be more vulnerable to the relationship between aircraft noise pollution and weight gain than younger adults.

Participants who lived in arid climates, on the US west coast, or who had previously smoked also showed stronger associations.

Our bodies might not have adapted to the constant input of noise that permeates our modern world. According to study co-author Junenette Peters, noise affects stress responses, which can set off a chain of events that can result in a higher BMI and eventually disease.

The experts offer a theory for regional differences, but they haven’t determined why ex-smokers appear to be disproportionately impacted.

“It’s possible that study participants who lived in the west were more exposed to aircraft noise because of open windows or the type of housing they occupied, which allowed more noise to penetrate,” Peters said. “Regional differences in temperature and humidity may influence behaviors such as window opening.”

Although this study employs a novel methodology to investigate the correlation between obesity and aircraft noise exposure at the national level in the United States, it is not the first to draw attention to the detrimental impacts of airport noise pollution on public health.

Specifically, aviation noise pollution has been linked to disturbed sleep patterns and a higher chance of developing cardiovascular conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The inhabitants of towns where aircraft noise is most prevalent have a higher risk of dying from myocardial infarction, according to French research published in 2020.

References

www.freemalaysiatoday.com

A man going by the name Wang has reportedly been bothered for the last two months by his neighbor, who was playing loud music.

Wang, who operates a storage company on the third floor of the YS-One industrial building in Yishun, claimed to Lianhe Zaobao that both he and his clients were disturbed by the noise coming from his neighbor, an event company.

He claims that for the previous three years, the event company has been dumping its products along the shared driveway. Additionally, they pile their belongings in the shared space, obstructing the path to the fire extinguisher and the fire escape.

Every time I use the driveway, I have to tell them to move their truck, which is really annoying.

We also offer eyelash extension products, but customers are unable to enter my business due to a lorry that is blocking the entrance. It has an impact on my business,” Wang remarked.

On January 31, a fight broke out between Wang and his neighbor over the latter’s unloading of items and obstruction of the path, which further infuriated the tenants. They called the police to ask for help.

Wang said that ever since, his neighbor has been blasting loud music through speakers facing his apartment.

Wang said that nothing had changed despite his repeated complaints to the police and building management.

In addition to the noise, Wang told Zaobao that on April 8, one of the event company’s employees struck his truck with two hammers.

A man was seen wandering the parking lot with two hammers in his hands while wearing a green T-shirt on CCTV footage. In addition, the man was observed beating on the iron railings close to Wang’s apartment with the hammers, seemingly in an attempt to scare the residents.

Wang called the police again, this time feeling scared by the man’s behavior.

“As far as I’m aware, my employees asked him to quiet down, but he responded that since this is an industrial building and not a residential neighborhood, noise is acceptable.

“When the police came, he went back into his unit and refused to respond.”

An employee of the event company with the last name Lin claimed in an interview that her coworkers were in the habit of listening to music while at work.

However, the 58-year-old claimed that there was never any intention of causing a commotion.

Lin didn’t think Wang would be affected by the music because the industrial building was already noisy.

“We don’t want to create trouble, making money is more important,” she stated.

Lin stated that the items in the common area are only left outside when taking stock.

“We don’t leave the items there for long, we’ve been careful since the authorities warned us.”

In response to Zaobao’s inquiries, a JTC Corporation representative stated that they had heard from a renter regarding noise disruption and unapproved item storage within the building.

According to the spokesperson, tenants have been reminded to keep their noise levels down and stay within the National Environment Agency’s allowed bounds.

To guarantee a secure working environment for all tenants, they further stated that they are collaborating with the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF).

The SCDF notified Zaobao that they had received a report of an unauthorized item storage in the YS-One building’s common area, which constituted a fire safety violation.

They are trying to get the tenant to fix the problem by working with JTC Corporation.

References

https://www.asiaone.com/