For a long time, countries regarded unwanted, loud sounds as a ‘nuisance’ rather than as pollution. But today, many countries in the world have framed laws and rules to keep excessive noise under control.
In the US, for example, there are federal standards for highway and aircraft noise. The Noise Pollution and Abatement Act of 1972 is the country’s statute that initiates a federal programme of regulating noise pollution.
Another country that has strict restrictions on noise levels is Japan. The country’s ‘Anti-Pollution Basic Law’ covers sound pollution. There is a national council as well, under the chairmanship of the prime minister that controls the quality of air, water, and earth vibrations caused by construction work.
In the UK, the Noise Abatement Act makes provision to curb unwanted noise and vibration as a measure to ensure safety.
