Noise Pollution in National Parks
| Additional Pollution Information Types of Pollution |
Unlike types of pollution that cause physical changes in the environment, nosie pollution causes physical changes to the senses. In the most general terms, noise pollution can be considered any unwanted sound in an area.
Many people who visit national parks, for example, go for the sights and sounds of the natural environment. Those people consider the sounds of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) operating in park boundaries to be a form of noise pollution.
Noise pollution can also be considered a health hazard. Typically the human ear is not equipped to tolerate sounds above the 120 to 130 decibel range.
Human exposure to lower decibel sounds that are produced for extended periods of time can also affect hearing. In a very real sense, these types of noise exposures can be considered noise pollution.
The types of issues policymakes need to consider deal with how to balance the rights of OHV enthusiasts with the rights of the peace and quiet crowd.
Currently the National Park Service (NPS) deals with sound issues via their Soundscape program. The NPS formally states Policy 4.9 of the 2006 Management Policies to serves as their guiding principles. The policy states, "The Service will preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the natural soundscapes of parks."
© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels