Public health effects of nightclub noise exposure in residential communities

¶ … Noise Pollution/Radon

High noise levels can have a negative impact on individuals and communities. If a nightclub were to be opened within my neighborhood, the following potential risks must be assessed: "interference with communication; noise-induced hearing loss; sleep disturbance effects; cardiovascular and psycho-physiological effects; performance reduction effects; annoyance responses; and effects on social behaviour" (World Health Organization, 1999). Not only are these health issues detrimental to the individual, but also affect the community as a whole.

In order to prevent an overabundance of noise within the neighborhood, certain precautions must be taken. In this case, any and all of the following noise management approaches may be implemented to help reduce or prevent noise pollution in the neighborhood: the precautionary principle which recommends that "noise should be reduced to the lowest level achievable in a particular situation;" the polluter pays principle in which "full costs associated with noise pollution (including monitoring, management, lowering levels and supervision) should be met by those responsible for the source of noise;" and/or the prevention principle where land-use planning would help to evaluate and assess what type of noise is allowable within a certain area (World Health Organization, 1999).

It is likely that land-use planning would help to resolve the issue the most efficiently. Under land-use planning, the noise levels of any business or residence would be limited by a city's zoning regulations. Furthermore, depending on what other buildings were nearby, it could potentially be impossible for a nightclub to open in an area that was not zoned for that type of commercial entity.

Question 2:

Radon poisoning and radiation poses a huge risk to the general population and many people may not realize the risk and exposure they are faced with in day-to-day life.

Radon is not a commercially produced substance, but rather is a natural occurring gas that is the by-product of the natural breakdown, or radioactive decay, of uranium (Radon Fact Sheet, 2009). Radon is found to be naturally occurring in igneous rock and soil and has also been known to be found in well water (Radon Fact Sheet, 2009). The radiation that is emitted by radon gasses is the "exact same alpha radiation that is emitted by any other alpha generating radiation source, like plutonium" (Radon Gas, 2011).

According to studies conducted both in the United States and in Europe, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers with radon being the second overall cause of lung cancer (Health Risks: Radon, 2011). Exposure to radon radiation is most common through ingestion of the gas or through inhalation (Radon Fact Sheet, 2009).

The only way to detect radon specifically is to have one's home tested for the gas. Ideally, the fixed radon presence in an individual's home should be between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) (Health Risks: Radon, 2011). It is currently estimated that in the United States, approximately 1 in 5 homes have elevated radon levels (Radon Fact Sheet, 2009). It typically takes several years of radon exposure before any symptoms present themselves.