Noise pollution is a fact of life worldwide. Similar to second-hand smoke, second-hand noise is an unwanted airborne pollutant produced by others; imposed without consent, and often at times, places, and volumes with no controls, according to a report from the Republic of Zimbabwe, in southern Africa.
Evidence indicates noise pollution is not a mere annoyance, as with some forms of pollution, but has wide-ranging adverse health, social, and economic effects.