Submit a Letter to the Editor About Earth Day and Noise Pollution

To the editor:April 22 is Earth Day—a time to celebrate nature and to protect the earth against pollution.  Excessive noise is an often-neglected form of environmental pollution. Most Americans are constantly bombarded by excessive noise—from gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers, motorcycles, loud car stereos, barking dogs, helicopters, airplanes, noisy neighbors, car traffic, helicopters, raucous restaurants, back-up beepers, honking horns tied to keyless entry systems, train horns, car alarms, and numerous other sources.

All this acoustic chaos is very harmful. High noise levels are associated with heart disease, elevated blood pressure, hearing loss, sleep deprivation, ringing of the ears, headaches, and chronic fatigue.  Excessive noise is also a cause of reduced property values and decreased job and academic performance.

Noise is also a climate change issue.  Lawn and garden equipment is responsible for around five percent of the nation’s air pollution. An EPA study indicates that a gas-powered leaf blower creates as much nitrogen oxide emissions and volatile organic compounds in one hour as 11 cars being driven for one hour.

Further, noise is an ecosystem issue. High-intensity sound can induce fear, causing species to abandon their habitat. Birds are having to chirp louder because of the constant din. Since the 1960s, there has been a 16-fold increase in ocean noise—posing a threat to fish, dolphins, and other marine life.

What can be done? Municipalities should ban gas-powered leaf blowers.  The police should vigorously enforce noise ordinances. Congress should reinstate the federal noise pollution control office. Individuals should join Noise Free America: A Coalition to Promote Quiet.

Signed,

YOUR NAMEHere is a listing of major US newspapers: http://www.world-newspapers.com/usa.html

Here is a listing of newspapers by state: http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/usstate/usatable.shtml

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