Noise Pollution Atlanta Georgia 1974

In the years after the first Earth Day in 1970, more attention was focused on a range of environmental concerns. In the mid 1970s I worked on several urban noise studies conducted by Dr. Vern Harnapp, Professor of Geography at the University of Akron http://www.springerlink.com/content/p136h87k03160038/ ). Noise, sometimes referred to as the unseen pollutant, is the most inescapable form of pollution — and one which poses a long list of potential health hazards. As the world becomes more urbanized, the use of machine-technology increases, and levels of development become higher and more complex, human exposure to noise increases. One authority estimates that the average noise level in the American city is increasing by 1 dB annually. This unwanted sound can damage physiological and psychological health. Noise pollution can cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects Furthermore, stress and hypertension are the leading causes to health problems, whereas tinnitus can lead to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times panic attack. Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Workers exposed to significant occupational noise demonstrate significantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to moderately high levels during a single eight hour period causes a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to ten points and an increase in stress[3] and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressure noted above as well as to increased incidence of coronary artery disease. Noise pollution is also a cause of annoyance. A 2005 study by Spanish researchers found that in urban areas households are willing to pay approximately four Euros per decibel per year for noise reduction. For more on environmental noise, go to the WHO website for occupational and community noise at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs258/en/ . This clip is from the 1974 film, Environmental Education -- A Beginning, produced by Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Education Division. Office of Education. The entire film has been digitized by the nonprofit Public.Resource.Org (http://public.resource.org/index.html ) in a cooperative agreement with the National Technical Information Service (http://public.resource.org/ntis.gov/index.html ) and is available at the Internet Archive at www.archive.com .

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[happinesson]

very interesting solo research! People are unaware of this because they are used to it.

[marriott7999]

Too bad in the almost 40 years since this was made little to nothing has been done about noise pollution. In fact, where I live, noise is considered a redneck badge of honor. People seem to go out of their way to make their vehicles as loud as possible, as a sort of rebellion. Only they're really just making their own neighborhoods crumbier to live in. Pretty sad commentary on society really.

[swansong200]

this video is amazing!

[henryhorker]

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THE GODDAMN NOISE IN ATLANTA

[Macvideographer]

ahahahah im sure there were bigger fucking concerns at the time