The world around us is a chorus or a mixture of sounds, most of which we consciously perceive and some unperceived. Most often than not, the unperceived ranges of sound usually lurk beneath the surface of the earth, and are often unnoticed. The sound I am talking about is the deep rumblings of infrasound. Infrasound are sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hertz, which are too low for the human ear to detect. While they are invisible and inaudible, infrasound can have a profound and often unsettling impact on our health and well-being including physical effect (dizziness and nausea, fatigue, headache and tinnitus), psychological and cognitive effect (anxieties and stress, concentration issues and mood changes), physiological response (cardiovascular impact, respiratory effects and neurological effects), etc., and they are mostly generated around us by Industrial machinery, wind turbines, explosions, and air conditioning systems.
How it affects us
Imagine a tuning fork in a physics laboratory vibrating near a crystal glass. If the frequency of the fork resonates or matches with the natural resonant frequency of the glass, the glass will begin to vibrate intensely, potentially shattering. Just like the crystal glass, if the frequencies of infrasound from any source like compactor used for road construction, air conditioning system, etc. matches the frequency of any part of the human body, it will cause severe damage to that part of the body. infrasound can resonate within our own bodies, causing unexpected and sometimes alarming effects, since every part of our body, from our organs to our bones, function at low frequency known as the “natural resonant frequency”. When our body is exposed to infrasound, our internal organs and structures can be forced to vibrate at the same frequency as that of infrasound. Just like the crystal glass, if the frequencies of infrasound from any source like compactor used for road construction, air conditioning system, etc. matches the frequency of any part of the human body, it will cause severe damage to that part of the body if it does not shatter it completely
My experienced with infrasound
I remember vividly in the year 2022, I had an unwholesome encounter with infrasound. I was living in a small apartment in Lagos, a stone's throw away from a major construction site for a new high-rise building. The construction company had just mobilized to site, and I started hearing constant hammering, the roar of engines and heavy construction machines, plus the vibrations that shook the very foundations of my building. This became an unwelcome part of my daily life. But then, something new emerged a low, persistent hum that seemed to vibrate through the walls.
At first, I dismissed it as a product of the stress and anxiety that comes with living in a bustling metropolis like Lagos. But as the days passed, the hum intensified. It was a deep, resonant vibration that seemed to permeate every corner of my apartment. I began to experience a series of unsettling symptoms: sudden bouts of nausea, followed by inexplicable vomiting, a low-level anxiety that I couldn't quite shake off. My sleep was disrupted, my concentration wavered, and I even started experiencing recurring headaches.
Initially, I attributed these symptoms to stress and the general chaos of city life. I consulted with various doctors, but they couldn't pinpoint the cause. I underwent numerous tests, all of which came back negative. The episodes continued, however, always confined to the confines of my apartment, as I usually work from home. As soon as I stepped outside, the symptoms would miraculously disappear and I feel better. Desperate for answers, I began to explore alternative explanations. I consulted with traditional healers, seeking spiritual solutions. I even considered the possibility of a curse; such as was common in our community.
Then, one fateful evening, I met an acoustician at a community gathering. One conversation led to the other and I explained what I have been going through to him, He was intrigued by my description of the symptoms and the unusual circumstances surrounding them. He asked me if I had heard about the ongoing construction project and the constant vibrations? I responded with a loud yes! He smiled and took time to explain to me that the low-frequency noise generated by the ongoing construction project might be the culprit. He explained that heavy machinery, like those used in construction, can generate powerful infrasound waves that can travel long distances and penetrate even solid structures. He decided to delve deep into the physics of sound by explaining to me that infrasound which are sound waves that human cannot hear, can have subtle yet profound effects on the human body source. These vibrations, he suggested, might be resonating within my body, causing the problems I was experiencing. His theory provided a plausible explanation for my inexplicable symptoms. He recommended that I should relocate and I decided to temporarily relocate to a friend's place further away from the construction site. To my astonishment, the symptoms disappeared completely.
This experience was a stark reminder of the unseen forces that shape our environment and their potential impact on our health. It highlighted the importance of considering all possible factors, even the seemingly insignificant ones, when investigating health issues. It also underscored the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and exploring unconventional avenues when conventional medicine fails to provide answers. The incident also inspired me to learn more about the potential impacts of environmental factors on our health. I began researching noise pollution, air quality, and other environmental concerns, and I became more conscious of the subtle ways in which these factors can affect our physical and mental well-being.
My findings
In the course of my study, I found out that every part of our body, from our organs to our bones, has a natural resonant frequency. When exposed to infrasound, these internal structures can be forced to vibrate at the same frequency as that of infrasound. This resonance can manifest in various ways including a constant sense of unease, Unexplained Headaches, Difficulty Concentrating, sudden bouts of nausea, followed by inexplicable vomiting, etc. These are just a few of the subtle ways in which infrasound might be impacting our daily life.
A call to action
While research on the long-term health effects of infrasound is ongoing, it's crucial to recognize the potential impact of these low-frequency vibrations on our well-being and take proactive steps to minimize our exposure. This includes raising awareness about the potential health impacts of infrasound, implementing stricter noise regulations for construction and industrial activities, and encouraging the development and use of quieter technologies.
By understanding the invisible forces that shape our environment, we can take steps to create healthier and more harmonious living spaces for ourselves and future generations