Why noise is bad for your health -- and what you can do about it | Mathias Basner

Prevodilac: Kristina Radosavljević Lektor: Ivana Krivokuća

Do you hear that?

Čujete li?

Do you know what that is?

Znate li šta je to?

Tišina.

Silence.

The sound of silence.

Zvuk tišine.

Simon and Garfunkel wrote a song about it.

Sajmon i Garfankl su napisali pesmu na tu temu.

But silence is a pretty rare commodity these days,

Tišina je veoma retka privilegija ovih dana,

and we're all paying a price for it in terms of our health --

i svi mi plaćamo ceh za to, kroz naše zdravlje.

a surprisingly big price, as it turns out.

Iznenađujuće visoku cenu, kako se ispostavilo.

Luckily, there are things we can do right now,

Srećom, još postoje stvari koje možemo da uradimo,

both individually and as a society,

kako pojedinačno tako i kao društvo,

to better protect our health

u cilju bolje zaštite našeg zdravlja,

and give us more of the benefits of the sounds of silence.

i kako bismo izvukli više dobrobiti iz zvuka tišine.

I assume that most of you know that too much noise is bad for your hearing.

Pretpostavljam da većina vas zna da je prevelika buka štetna za vaš sluh.

Whenever you leave a concert or a bar and you have that ringing in your ears,

Kad god napustite koncert ili bar i imate ono zujanje u ušima,

you can be certain that you have done some damage to your hearing,

možete biti sigurni da ste naštetili svom sluhu,

likely permanent.

verovatno trajno.

And that's very important.

A to je veoma značajno.

However, noise affects our health in many different ways beyond hearing.

Međutim, buka utiče na vaše zdravlje na mnoge načine koji prevazilaze sluh.

They're less well-known,

Oni su manje poznati,

but they're just as dangerous as the auditory effects.

ali jednako opasni kao i zvučni efekti.

So what do we mean when we talk about noise?

Šta podrazumevamo pod bukom?

Well, noise is defined as unwanted sound,

Buka je definisana kao neželjeni zvuk,

and as such, both has a physical component, the sound,

i kao takav ima fizičku komponentu - zvuk,

and a psychological component,

i psihološku komponentu -

the circumstances that make the sound unwanted.

okolnosti koje zvuk čine nepoželjnim.

A very good example is a rock concert.

Veoma dobar primer je rok koncert.

A person attending the rock concert, being exposed to 100 decibels,

Osoba koja prisustvuje rok koncertu izložena jačini zvuka od 100 decibela

does not think of the music as noise.

ne smatra muziku bukom.

This person likes the band, and even paid a hundred dollars for the ticket,

Ova osoba voli grupu, čak je platila sto dolara za kartu,

so no matter how loud the music, this person doesn't think of it as noise.

i bez obzira koliko je glasna muzika, ova osoba je ne smatra bukom.

In contrast, think of a person living three blocks away from the concert hall.

Suprotno tome misli osoba koja živi tri bloka od koncertne dvorane.

That person is trying to read a book,

Ova osoba pokušava da čita knjigu,

but cannot concentrate because of the music.

ali ne može da se koncentriše zbog muzike.

And although the sound pressure levels are much lower in this situation,

Iako je nivo zvuka mnogo manji u ovom slučaju,

this person still thinks of the music as noise,

ova osoba je ipak smatra bukom,

and it may trigger reactions that can, in the long run, have health consequences.

što može izazvati reakcije koje dugoročno mogu imati posledice po zdravlje.

So why are quiet spaces so important?

Zbog čega su mirni prostori toliko važni?

Because noise affects our health in so many ways beyond hearing.

Zato što buka utiče na naše zdravlje na načine koji prevazilaze samo sluh.

However, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find quiet spaces

Međutim, postaje jako teško pronaći mirno mesto

in times of constantly increasing traffic,

u vremenu stalnog povećanja saobraćaja,

growing urbanization,

urbanizacije,

construction sites, air-conditioning units,

gradilišta, klima-uređaja,

leaf blowers, lawnmowers,

duvača za lišće, kosilica,

outdoor concerts and bars, personal music players,

koncerata na otvorenom, barova, ličnih muzičkih uređaja,

and your neighbors partying until 3am.

i vaših komšija koji prave žurke do tri sata ujutro.

Whew!

Huh!

In 2011, the World Health Organization estimated

Godine 2011, Svetska zdravstvena organizacija je procenila

that 1.6 million healthy life years are lost every year

da svake godine više od 1,6 miliona zdravih ljudi umre

due to exposure to environmental noise

zbog izloženosti buci iz okoline

in the Western European member states alone.

samo u zemljama Zapadne Evrope.

One important effect of noise is that it disturbs communication.

Jedan od važnih efekata buke je da ona ometa komunikaciju.

You may have to raise your voice to be understood.

Morate da povisite ton da bi vas razumeli.

In extreme cases, you may even have to pause the conversation.

U ekstremnim slučajevima ćete možda čak morati i da zaustavite razgovor.

It's also more likely to be misunderstood in a noisy environment.

Takođe je više verovatno da vas pogrešno razumeju u bučnom okruženju.

These are all likely reasons why studies have found

Ovo su sve verovatni razlozi zbog kojih studije ukazuju

that children who attend schools in noisy areas

da deca koja pohađaju školu u bučnim delovima grada

are more likely to lag behind their peers in academic performance.

imaju veće šanse da zaostaju u svojim akademskim sposobnostima.

Another very important health effect of noise

Još jedan veoma značajan zdravstveni efekat buke

is the increased risk for cardiovascular disease

je povećan rizik od kardiovaskularnih bolesti

in those who are exposed to relevant noise levels

kod onih koji su izloženi određenim nivoima buke

for prolonged periods of time.

duži vremenski period.

Noise is stress,

Buka je stres,

especially if we have little or no control over it.

pogotovo ako imamo malo ili nimalo uticaja na nju.

Our body excretes stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol

Naše telo luči hormone stresa kao što su adrenalin ili kortizol

that lead to changes in the composition of our blood

koji dovode do promena u sastavu naše krvi

and in the structure of our blood vessels,

i strukture naših krvnih žila,

which have been shown to be stiffer after a single night of noise exposure.

koje, kako se pokazalo, postaju kruće samo posle jedne noći izložene buci.

Epidemiological studies show associations between the noise exposure

Epidemiološke studije pokazuju povezanost između izloženosti buci

and an increased risk for high blood pressure,

i povećanog rizika od visokog krvnog pritiska,

heart attacks and stroke,

srčanog udara i šloga.

and although the overall risk increases are relatively small,

Uprkos tome što je sveukupno povećanje rizika relativno malo,

this still constitutes a major public health problem

ovo i dalje predstavlja veliki zdravstveni problem društva

because noise is so ubiquitous,

zato što je buka tako sveprisutna,

and so many people are exposed to relevant noise levels.

i toliko ljudi je izloženo nekom nivou buke.

A recent study found that US society

Nedavne studije su pokazale da bi američko društvo

could save 3.9 billion dollars each year

svake godine moglo da uštedi 3,9 milijardi dolara

by lowering environmental noise exposure by five decibels,

snižavanjem buke iz okoline za pet decibela,

just by saving costs for treating cardiovascular disease.

samo na uštedama od lečenja kardiovaskularnih oboljenja.

There are other diseases like cancer, diabetes and obesity

Postoje i druge bolesti kao što su rak, dijabetis i gojaznost

that have been linked to noise exposure,

koje se povezuju sa izloženošću buci,

but we do not have enough evidence yet

ali za to još uvek nemamo dovoljno dokaza

to, in fact, conclude that these diseases are caused by the noise.

da bismo zaključili da je buka uzrok ovih bolesti.

Yet another important effect of noise is sleep disturbance.

Još jedan važan efekat buke je poremećaj sna.

Sleep is a very active mechanism that recuperates us

San je veoma aktivni mehanizam koji nas oporavlja

and prepares us for the next wake period.

i priprema za naredni budan period.

A quiet bedroom is a cornerstone of what sleep researchers call

Tiha spavaća soba je kamen temeljac za ono što istraživači sna zovu

"a good sleep hygiene."

„dobra higijena sna”.

And our auditory system has a watchman function.

A naš slušni sistem ima funkciju čuvara.

It's constantly monitoring our environment for threats,

On konstantno kontroliše našu okolinu tražeći pretnje,

even while we're sleeping.

čak i dok spavamo.

So noise in the bedroom can cause a delay in the time it takes us to fall asleep,

Buka u spavaćoj sobi može produžiti vreme potrebno da bismo zaspali,

it can wake us up during the night,

može nas buditi u toku noći,

and it can prevent our blood pressure from going down during the night.

i može sprečiti snižavanje našeg krvnog pritiska tokom noći.

We have the hypothesis that if these noise-induced sleep disturbances

Imamo hipotezu da, ako ovi poremećaji sna uzrokovani bukom

continue for months and years,

traju mesecima ili godinama,

then an increased risk for cardiovascular disease is likely the consequence.

onda je povećan rizik od kardiovaskularnih oboljenja verovatna posledica toga.

However, we are often not aware of these noise-induced sleep disturbances,

Međutim, često nismo svesni ovih poremećaja sna uzrokovanih bukom,

because we are unconscious while we're sleeping.

zato što nismo svesni dok spavamo.

In the past, we've done studies on the effects of traffic noise on sleep,

U prošlosti smo radili studije o uticaju saobraćajne buke na san,

and research subjects would often wake up in the morning and say,

gde bi se subjekti istraživanja često budili ujutro govoreći:

"Ah, I had a wonderful night, I fell asleep right away,

„Ah, imao sam divnu noć. Odmah sam zaspao,

never really woke up."

i nisam se budio.”

When we would go back to the physiological signals

Ali kada bismo pogledali fiziološke aktivnosti

we had recorded during the night,

koje smo snimali tokom noći,

we would often see numerous awakenings

često bismo videli brojna buđenja

and a severely fragmented sleep structure.

i izuzetno iscepkanu strukturu sna.

These awakenings were too brief for the subjects to regain consciousness

Ova buđenja su bila suviše kratka da bi subjekt postao svestan

and to remember them during the next morning,

i setio ih se narednog jutra,

but they may nevertheless have a profound impact

ali ona svakako imaju uticaj

on how restful our sleep is.

na to koliko je nemiran naš san.

So when is loud too loud?

Dakle, kad je glasno - preglasno?

A good sign of too loud is once you start changing your behavior.

Dobar signal za preglasno je kada počnete menjati svoje ponašanje.

You may have to raise your voice to be understood,

Možda morate da povisujete glas da bi vas razumeli,

or you increase the volume of your TV.

ili pojačavate televizor.

You're avoiding outside areas, or you're closing your window.

Izbegavate vanjski prostor ili zatvarate svoj prozor.

You're moving your bedroom to the basement of the house,

Selite spavaću sobu u podrum svoje kuće,

or you even have sound insulation installed.

ili čak stavljate zvučnu izolaciju.

Many people will move away to less noisy areas,

Mnogi ljudi se sele u manje bučne oblasti,

but obviously not everybody can afford that.

ali očigledno, ne mogu svi to priuštiti.

So what can we do right now to improve our sound environment

Šta možemo trenutno da uradimo da bismo poboljšali naše zvučno okruženje

and to better protect our health?

i da bismo bolje zaštitili naše zdravlje?

Well, first of all, if something's too loud, speak up.

Pre svega, ako je nešto preglasno - ukažite na to.

For example, many owners of movie theaters

Na primer, mnogi vlasnici bioskopa

seem to think that only people hard of hearing are still going to the movies.

izgleda misle da samo ljudi sa oštećenim sluhom i dalje idu u bioskope.

If you complain about the noise and nothing happens,

Ako se žalite zbog buke, a ništa se ne promeni,

demand a refund and leave.

zatražite da vam vrate pare i napustite salu.

That's the language that managers typically do understand.

To je jezik koji menadžeri obično razumeju.

Also, talk to your children about the health effects of noise

Takođe, pričajte sa decom o efekatima koje buka ima na zdravlje,

and that listening to loud music today will have consequences when they're older.

da će to što danas slušaju glasnu muziku imati posledice kad budu stariji.

You can also move your bedroom to the quiet side of the house,

Možete takođe premestiti spavaću sobu u tišu stranu kuće,

where your own building shields you from road traffic noise.

kako bi vas sama zgrada štitila od saobraćajne buke.

If you're looking to rent or buy a new place,

Ako tražite da iznajmite ili kupite nekretninu,

make low noise a priority.

neka vam niska buka bude prioritet.

Visit the property during different times of the day

Posetite nekretninu u različito doba dana

and talk to the neighbors about noise.

i pitajte komšije za buku.

You can wear noise-canceling headphones when you're traveling

Kada putujete, možete nositi slušalice koje štite od buke

or if your office has high background noise levels.

ili u vašoj kancelariji ako ima visok nivo buke.

In general, seek out quiet spaces,

U suštini, tražite mirna mesta,

especially on the weekend or when you're on vacation.

pogotovo vikendom ili kad ste na odmoru.

Allow your system to wind down.

Dozvolite vašem sistemu da se odmori.

I, very appropriately for this talk,

Ja sam, što je korisno za ovaj razgovor,

attended a noise conference in Japan four years ago.

pre četiri godine u Japanu prisustvovao jednoj konferenciji o buci.

When I returned to the United States and entered the airport,

Kada sam se vratio u Ameriku i ušao na aerodrom,

a wall of sound hit me.

udario me je zvučni zid.

This tells you that we don't realize anymore

Ovo vam govori da mi više ne primećujemo

the constant degree of noise pollution we're exposed to

stalan stepen buke kojoj smo izloženi

and how much we could profit from more quiet spaces.

i koliko bi nam koristili mirniji prostori.

What else can we do about noise?

Šta još možemo uraditi po pitanju buke?

Well, very much like a carbon footprint, we all have a noise footprint,

Kao što svi mi imamo ugljenični otisak, tako imamo i otisak buke,

and there are things we can do to make that noise footprint smaller.

a postoje stvari koje možemo da uradimo da bismo ga smanjili.

For example, don't start mowing your lawn at 7am on a Saturday morning.

Na primer, nemojte počinjati sa košenjem svog travnjaka nedeljom u 7 sati ujutro.

Your neighbors will thank you.

Vaše komšije će vam biti zahvalne.

Or use a rake instead of a leaf blower.

Ili recimo, koristite grabulje umesto duvača za lišće.

In general, noise reduction at the source makes the most sense,

U suštini, smanjenje buke na samom izvoru je najracionalnije.

so whenever you're looking to buy a new car,

Znači, kad kupujete nova kola,

air-conditioning unit, blender, you name it,

klima-uređaj, mikser ili bilo šta drugo,

make low noise a priority.

niska bučnost bi trebalo da vam bude prioritet.

Many manufacturers will list the noise levels their devices generate,

Mnogi proizvođaći će napisati nivo buke koju aparat proizvodi,

and some even advertise with them.

a neki će to koristiti i kao reklamu.

Use that information.

Iskoristite tu informaciju.

Many people think that stronger noise regulation and enforcement are good ideas,

Mnogi smatraju da su strogi propisi i kazne dobra ideja,

even obvious solutions, perhaps,

čak možda i očigledno rešenje.

but it's not as easy as you may think,

Ali nije to tako lako kao što mislite,

because many of the activities that generate noise

zato što mnoge od ovih aktivnosti koje proizvode buku

also generate revenue.

u isto vreme generišu prihod.

Think about an airport and all the business that is associated with it.

Razmislite o aerodromu i svim poslovima u vezi sa njim.

Our research tells politicians at what noise level

Naše istraživanje govori političarima koji nivo buke

they can expect a certain health effect,

može imati određene posledice za zdravlje

and that helps inform better noise policy.

kako bi se stvorili bolji zakoni u vezi sa bukom.

Robert Koch supposedly once said,

Robert Koh navodno je jednom rekao:

"One day, mankind will fight noise as relentlessly as cholera and the pest."

„Jednog dana čovečanstvo će se boriti sa bukom kao sa kolerom i štetočinama.”

I think we're there,

Mislim da je to vreme došlo,

and I hope that we will win this fight,

i nadam se da ćemo pobediti,

and when we do, we can all have a nice, quiet celebration.

a kada pobedimo, možemo to proslaviti u miru.

(Laughter)

(Smeh)

Thank you.

Hvala vam.

(Applause)

(Aplauz)