Environmental pollution is increasingly becoming an issue of significant public interest in many developing countries and the international community at large. The growing socioeconomic developments as witnessed globally in recent times due to rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to the overexploitation of natural resources, while inadvertently resulted in severe environmental problems. In this chapter, we attempted to present the effect of environmental pollution to our physical environment as well as its socioeconomic impacts. Specifically, we focused more on the major types of pollution, which are widely recognized as international public health problems, namely, land/soil, water, air, noise, and plastic/microplastic pollution, enumerating their effects and how they have acted as an obstruction to the social and economic progress by placing tremendous pressure on resources and environment. Possible ways of ensuring environmental quality and sustainability leading to improved public health and well-being alongside with different kinds of intervention were proposed.

Environmental pollution and their socioeconomic impacts

Extending the dimensions of personal exposure assessment: A methodological discussion on perceived and measured noise and air pollution in traffic

Commuting by bicycle or on foot is beneficial for health and wellbeing. However, cycling and walking alongside road traffic poses the risk of air pollution and noise exposure. Traditionally, exposure research is based on objective measurements. Only recently have subjective perceptions gained attention. The perceived exposure to air pollution and noise en route and the momentary sensory awareness in traffic has rarely been investigated. This study addresses this research gap. The aim was to examine cyclists’/pedestrians’ sensory awareness, perceived and measured exposure, and practices to reduce health risks and improve wellbeing en route. A mixed-methods approach was applied: (1) go-/ride-alongs with 28 participants in Berlin, Germany, were conducted. Cyclists/pedestrians were accompanied on their commute home from work. Meanwhile, a semi-structured qualitative interview during cycling/walking was applied to discover experiences, practices and perceptions on-site. (2) Simultaneously, noise (dB(A)), GPS and air pollution (particulate matter) were registered with wearable sensors. Measured exposure was partly in line with perceived exposure. However, some situations with high exposure were evaluated as positive due to sensory awareness (greenery/water, urban aesthetics) or social cues (other people, neighborhood areas). Community feelings, aesthetic/interesting urban form and passing people who perform leisure activities and, thus, take ownership of their city, improved a pleasant commute. Using hidden paths to include greenery and protective practices (e.g., increasing the distance from emitters) were examined. Cyclists and pedestrians are directly exposed to their environment, which jointly influences health and wellbeing. Air pollution and noise need to be addressed, as do exposure perceptions and other sensory experiences. Passing community areas, having an interesting trip, seeing/smelling blue and green spaces, and the quietness associated with these experiences improve a cyclist’s/pedestrian’s wellbeing during their commute. Further research on how to plan for and communicate about healthy and pleasant routes is needed. 

How are air pollution and noise perceived en route? Investigating cyclists’ and pedestrians’ personal exposure, wellbeing and practices during commute

The perceptual and behavioral influence on dental professionals from the noise in their workplace

BackgroundStudents spend a considerable amount of time at school; thus, noise pollution can have negative physical and emotional effects on them. This study aimed to determine the association between reduced noise by changing single-glazed to double-glazed windows and stress level changes among students.MethodsWe included 384 male high school students in this study to specify the effect of noise reduction (using double-glazed windows) on classroom stress in Shiraz, 2018-2019 academic years. The participants were randomly selected from schools exposed to unauthorized noise; they were divided into control (N=192) and intervention groups (N=192). Using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), we assessed stress perception in a semi-experimental pretest and posttest design. Moreover, UT-353 digital sound level meter was used to measure noise pollution.ResultsThe mean pretest and post-test scores for the intervention group were 29.30+6.878 and 24.88+8.711, respectively. The acoustic comfort induced by double-glazed windows could significantly decrease the level of stress (P<0.001). The researchers used mean statistics and standard deviation for descriptive data analysis and Independent t-test for inferential analysis. The results showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups.ConclusionsReplacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed ones improved the acoustic condition of the classroom, thereby reducing the stress of male high school students.

https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_46826_0f0aed1c3a05697d01c9461fff60e0c4.pdf

Thaísa Barboza de Souza

Papers

Evaluation of noise pollution related to human perception in a university campus in Brazil