The Pandemic & Noise
You might think that with so many people working at home these days, it would be quieter than normal on high traffic roads. Not so, according to a team of Boston University ecologists. They found that sound levels actually increased in some nature conservation areas as the result of cars driving faster and recklessly on roads no longer choked by traffic. The studies also showed that wildlife is very sensitive to noise pollution especially since many animals rely on their hearing to detect predators. Noise pollution isn’t good for people either – the team noted that the health effects include elevated blood pressure, increased incidence of heart attacks, inability to sleep, increasing irritability, mood changes and anxiety.
Source:
Richard B. Primack et al, “Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on noise pollution in three protected areas in metropolitan Boston (USA).” Biological Conservation, 2021; 256: 109039 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109039
More current health news from this week’s bulletin:
- Alcohol & Heart Health
- Do You Toss Food Too Soon?
- A tasty True Food Kitchen sauce recipe: Umami Sauce
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