Is loud music an environmental toxin?

Yes

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by KhayPrower

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A toxin is something that has an adverse effect on things exposed to it. A toxin is a poison. The definition of a poison is "A substance with an inherent property that tends to destroy life or impair health. Something harmful or pernicious, as to happiness or well-being. Something destructive or fatal."

Loud noise can definitely be a poison. It can have an adverse effect on both plant and animal life when an area becomes over-saturated with it. It can cause health and mental problems in both humans and other animals. And it can even be destructive in it's own right.

Most wildlife will flee from startling noises. When loud noises, such as loud music, occur frequently in a single area, many animals will learn to simply avoid the area altogether. However, when these animals change their habits and switch their living areas, they cannot do so without consequences to the ecosystem. An ecosystem functions in certain patterns, and when one section of the pattern is removed, the rest of the system must adjust. When several sections are removed, the system begins to break down, as some parts begin to go unchecked, while others have lost what they depend upon to survive.

Other animals will not leave the area, but can still be affected in severe and negative ways by the noises. Some become desensitized to the loud noises. This can be dangerous, because the reflexes that cause these animals to flee from the noises in the first place are a defense mechanism, and so these creatures have lost a vital protective reaction instinct. Animals which do not become desensitized, however, suffer from a much worse problem. They continue to be startled with each noise, and the near constant state of fright and high alert can cause them to begin to develop nervous and mental problems. These animals can become so distraught that they become overly aggressive, attacking other animals and humans, and they can even die from the constant abuse to their minds.

Plants can also be affected by the noises in their environments. It has been shown time and again that plants are sensitive to music, as well as to other loud, constant noises in their surroundings. Plants planted next to highways as sound buffers will grow differently than ones planted in quieter environments. Many studies, both professional and amateur, have also shown that music has a direct effect upon the speed and quality of growth in plants. While melodic music can improve growth rate and health in plants, harsh, jolting music and noise can have an equally adverse effect.

Humans exposed to such noises on a frequent or constant basis can develop a wide variety of problems. The noise itself can induce headaches, nervousness, and even hearing loss, but also of concern are the secondary effects due to the exhaustion and fatigue that can develop from lack of sleep caused by such constant noises. When a human does not receive enough sleep to revitalize their body and mind, or their sleep is not of a restful quality, a variety of negative symptoms can occur. The person can begin to develop mental disorders, such as paranoia, hallucinations, schizophrenia, or depression. They can become much more aggressive, and lash out at others around them. Physically, their reaction speeds will decrease, similar to the effects of alcohol or marijuana, causing them to become a danger when driving. Even their performance at work or grades in school can suffer, due to this mental and physical exhaustion.

Certain types of noise, especially music with a heavy bass, can even have a direct destructive effect on structures. A noise that is loud or deep enough can cause objects to move or shake. If this occurs frequently, and for a long time, it can have a weakening effect on the structure or its foundations. It has been shown that a building that houses a nightclub or bar will often "age" faster than other structures around it, and even the buildings nearest to the club will have some extra wear, due to the constant vibrations caused by the loud, bass-heavy dance music played for many hours every night.

Yes, loud noise, including loud music, can indeed be considered a toxin. It has direct, inherent effects on animals, plants, humans, and structures that are overexposed to it which are pernicious, harmful, and destructive. It can change and damage an ecosystem, cause mental problems in animals which are detrimental to their physical health, alter the growth and health of plant life, cause damage to structures, and cause a wide variety of far-reaching problems in humans.

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