Quiet Please! Noise Pollution And Your Health

How does noise pollution affect your health and the health of your loved ones? This article will explain a few of the causes of noise pollution, the resulting health effects that can occur, as well as steps you can take to eliminate some of the risks involved with noise pollution.

What are some of the causes of noise pollution in your neighborhood? Here are some that come to mind: cars, busses, trucks, airplanes, motorcycles, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hair dryers, vacuums, sirens, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, barking dogs, loud voices, air conditioners, construction sites, loud music and TV's. The list can go on and on. What effect does this have on your health and the health of those you love?

The health effects are numerous. Noise pollution can cause an increase in stress levels, as well as a rise in blood pressure over an extended period of time. Noise related hearing loss and tinnitus can occur as well, leading to life-long hearing problems. Sleep can be interrupted also when there are loud or annoying sounds during your sleeping hours, which in turn can affect your work and home life from a lack of sleep.

What steps can be taken to eliminate some of the risks involved with noise pollution? Whenever possible close the windows, either of your car or home in order to block out some of the noise. Buy a quieter hair dryer and vacuum. Turn the radio and TV down. If you own a dog, try to keep the dog from barking too much, it will be good for you and please the neighbors as well. When possible, try to find time during the day for a quiet break. Give yourself a timeout, and sit in peace and quiet even if only for a few minutes. It will refresh you!

The best solution that can help with most noise pollution situations is ear plugs. They even have a children's size so you can protect your little ones at the start of their life, and get them in the habit of protecting their hearing. Get the kind that block out the maximum level of sound, and use them when practical. This might be during a concert, fireworks display, sporting event, as well as at bed time to drown out the snoring or other noise annoyance that keeps you from a good nights sleep. You will still be able to hear but it will sound much quieter.

Your hearing and that of your loved ones is worth the effort in taking these small steps to improve your well-being from the effects of noise pollution.

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2007 Trends in Unmanned Vehicles; Air, Land, Sea and Space

The Military drones in the 1970s ushered in a new era of unmanned aerial vehicles. Of course one could say that the German V-1 and V-2 Rockets inspired the first unmanned drones in the Military. Today we see rapid advances in underwater unmanned vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. Today robotics is pushing the envelope of these technologies and making the unmanned micro air vehicles smaller. Currently there are micro air vehicles that are about the size of large insects and even these small sizes will come down over time, as sensors, electronics and technologies miniaturize.

The potential number of applications for mini-flying machines is truly incredible. Of course the Military Applications for MAVs or Micro-Air Vehicles is rather obvious. The Intelligence Industry could also use such technologies; "The Fly on the Wall" surveillance system? Of course with these new technologies will come new tactics and usher in a new era of swarm theory to guide its usage and applications; borrowing ideas from nature and insects on how best to increase performance.

Indeed there are many commercial private sector applications for MAVs such as chasing insects from fields to save on the use of pesticides or interacting with Bird Migrations, which might have Bird Flu as they fly over? Maybe even steering Locust Plagues away from important agricultural regions as well? As sensors these units might provide insight and track wildlife movements, man made pollution or weather patterns. The applications are truly endless. MAVs will be a very important technology in the future and could potentially save millions of lives.

I thank you for investing your time in reading this article and hope you will enjoy this thinking on this topic and discussion as we take this subject to a much higher level to propel thought and open your mind to the future of MAVs. Perhaps this article is of interest to propel thought in 2007?

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

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