Scientists say that a boom in public announcement systems, loudspeakers and automatic doors may be spawning an epidemic of ultrasonic sickness.
Even electronic devices designed to scare away mice and cats could be triggering symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and tiredness, stomach pain, and headaches.
The symptoms of ultrasonic sickness have traditionally been associated with workers using heavy-duty drills, welding tools and other industrial equipment.
However, Southampton University researchers say that modern technology means that growing numbers of us are surrounded by ultrasound pollution in our everyday lives.
Schools, railways stations, sports grounds, museums and libraries are all potential sources of exposure.
I Word Understanding
Spawning – produce
Ultrasonic sickness – is sound waves that have a higher frequency than the human ear can hear that cause irritation and anxiety to human mind.
Triggering – provoke
II Have your say
1. Do you worry about pollution?
Pollution
Traffic pollution
Noise pollution
Underwater noise
Industrial
2.What are the factors to live in peace and quiet life?
3. What would life be like if your environment was so noisy you couldn’t even hear yourself think?
4. Do you think there should be human-free noise zones?
