Editing Environmental noise (section)

{{EngvarB|date = August 2016}}
{{For|a broad slate of related  noise topics|noise (spectral phenomenon)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date = August 2016}}
[[File:Figure 1 Selected Tools Available to Address Airport Noise (7986097480).jpg|thumb|Example of transportation noise and how it affects the community.]]

'''Environmental noise''' is an accumulation of [[noise pollution]] that occurs outside. This noise can be caused by transport, industrial, and [[Sport|recreational]] activities.<ref>{{cite web |last=European Commission |title=The Green Paper on Future Noise Policy |url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/noise/pdf/com_96_540.pdf |access-date=7 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123022847/http://ec.europa.eu/environment/noise/pdf/com_96_540.pdf |archive-date=23 November 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>

[[Noise]] is frequently described as 'unwanted sound'. Within this context, environmental noise is generally present in some form in all areas of human, animal, or environmental activity. The effects in humans of exposure to environmental noise may vary from emotional to physiological and psychological.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kinsler, L.E., Frey, A.R., Coppens, A.B. and Sanders, J.V.|title=Fundamentals of acoustics|year=2000|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|location=New York City|isbn=978-0471-84789-2|page=359}}</ref>  Noise at low levels is not necessarily harmful. Environmental noise can also convey a sense of liveliness in an area, which can be desirable. The adverse effects of noise exposure (i.e. [[noise pollution]]) could include: interference with speech or other 'desired' sounds, annoyance, sleep disturbance, anxiety, hearing damage and stress-related cardiovascular health problems.<ref>{{cite web|last=World Health Organization|title=Guidelines for community noise|url=https://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/guidelines2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031127195212/http://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/guidelines2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2003|access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref>

As a result, environmental noise is studied, regulated, and monitored by many governments and institutions around the world. This creates a number of different occupations. The basis of all decisions is supported by the objective and accurate [[noise measurement|measurement of noise]]. Noise is measured in [[decibel]]s (dB) using a pattern-approved [[sound level meter]]. The measurements are typically taken over a period of weeks, in all weather conditions.