Noise Pollution

Because noise pollution causes so many problems, the United States government has passed laws to regulate noise. In 1987, for example, Congress passed the National Overflights Act. This law called for studies to determine the effect of air traffic over national parks. It also prohibited low-flying planes from flying over certain parts of Grand Canyon National Park.

Since 1972, when the Noise Control Act was passed, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been responsible for researching and regulating noise pollution in the United States. The Noise Control Act reads in part as follows: "The Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health or welfare." Between 1972 and 1981, EPA's Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) issued hundreds of reports about the severity of noise pollution in America, trained community leaders in ways to reduce noise pollution, and recommended numerous regulations to reduce the impact. Its work was designed to educate communities and set uniform emission standards throughout the country. In 1982, however, ONAC was shut down as part of President Reagan's deficit reduction plan. The Noise Control Act was never repealed or amended, but it was no longer enforced at the federal level. By 1999, the poorly funded ONAC was maintaining only a "skeleton" office. At the same time, some sections of the Noise Control Act pertaining to labeling, noise emission standards, and noise sources were in need of updating.