Filmmaker takes on noise pollution

Photo credit: William Alexander by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies That fact that adverse noise impacts are receiving more attention is evidenced by the numerous articles, media interviews and podcasts that have been released over the last few years. Many of them feature experts who speak to the adverse effects of noise on mental and physical health. For example, “ The Quietest Year” is a documentary the follows Karen Akins’ story of dealing with noise pollution. It is partially based on her personal battle with neighbors who imposed noise on her life, but goes beyond this to include other noises in her Vermont home town. Online investigative newspaper VTDigger wrote a story on this documentary last week. Last April, Quiet Communities held an online U.S. premiere of this film to celebrate International Noise Awareness Day. Interestingly, Akins made this documentary when she was stuck in her home during the pandemic. While her personal experience with noise compelled her to make the documentary, she knew she needed experts to detail the impacts of noise. She turned to Les Blomberg of the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, located in Montpelier, Vermont. Blomberg is well-known for educating people about the harmful effects of noise, as well as informing them how to combat noise pollution. Akins spoke with other experts as well. She informs us that there is a lack of proper noise ordinances, stating that many elected officials are essentially “deaf” to how harmful noise can be. At the time that Akins was working on her documentary, F-35 fighter jets arrived at the Air Nation Guard Base in Vermont. This gave her the opportunity to discuss how noise from these jets affected residents. On a positive note, homes located close to the air base received soundproofing. I recommend that readers watch the film to learn not only about the adverse effects of noise, but how a single person affected by noise can share their experience while educating others and being an advocate for quieter environments.