The Entire Country Suffers From Noise Pollution

Few people get to enjoy the sound of silence.

CityLab reports that 97 percent of Americans risk exposure to potentially harmful levels of vehicular and aviation noise, according to findings from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Cars, trucks, and airplanes produce a constant noise between 35 and 50 decibels, which is comparable to the sound of a running refrigerator. Noise has been linked to obesity, sleep disturbances, and other negative health effects.

BTS reports that “one-tenth of a percent of the population could potentially experience noise levels of 80 decibels or more.” About three percent of the population is exposed to the ear-pollutants at decibel levels between 50 and 80.

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