Definition of Visual Pollution

When a substance or a form of Energy causes a harmful alteration in a medium produces a polluting effect. The phenomenon of contamination can develop in water, the air or the ground. However, in recent years a new name has been coined: visual pollution. This normally takes place in the urban environment and occurs when certain non-architectural elements distort the aesthetics of a place.

It is a visual overstimulation in which the observer perceives an invasion of physical space.

Negative effects

In many urban areas, the passer-by or driver is faced with a chaotic and saturated panorama: colored signs, poles, clandestine garbage cans, billboards, power lines, tents, etc. The proliferation of messages produces an increase in the number of automobile accidents, since traffic signals and traffic lights are not perceived clearly. In aesthetic terms the beauty of some buildings is eclipsed.

On the other hand, the vegetation of the cities loses its relaxing effect. Birds are forced to flee from overloaded and chaotic places.

On synthesis, this form of contamination threatens the quality of life in the urban environment.

Visual pollution and health

The disproportionate volume of images has consequences on health. Certain neurological pathologies such as migraine are significantly exacerbated, since visual stimuli activate the photosensitivity of people with a tendency to suffer from migraines. By observing signals of all kinds simultaneously, episodes of vertigo, dizziness can be triggered or epilepsy (there is a type of epilepsy that is triggered by bright, flashing lights).

Intense lights negatively affect the body, as the heart rate increases and there is a breathing more agitated. From the psychological point of view, this stimulus overload generates an increase in the level of stress and anxiety.

Two organs are involved in capturing images: the eye and the brain

The eye perceives the information, but the brain processes it. Our brain has memory and you know that certain colors are associated with ideas: yellow is a warning sign and red indicates danger. Thus, when there is an excess of images with these colors, the brain receives confusing information: it sees yellow and red things and, at the same time, knows that it should not interpret them as a threat.

In other words, the human mind receives mixed messages from the impact of visual pollution.

Photo: Fotolia - doddis