Noise pollution besieges Europe’s cities
traffic loud enough to disrupt sleep, impair learning and trigger hypertension
at night, according to a report released.
that submitted road transport data to the European Environment Agency (EEA) deal
with road racket averaging 55 decibels or higher — the World Health Organization
threshold for health impacts.
population thus exposed, followed closely by Warsaw and Paris, the EAA reported.
or higher.
— failed to provide complete data before a December 2007 cut-off date, leaving
major gaps in the transport noise database published online Monday (
27-nation European Union are confronted with noise levels above the 55 decibel
mark.
can effect the cadiovascular system, mental health and school performance,” said
Oscar Romero, a spokesman for the Copenhagen-based EU agency.
terms of regulation and public opinion, he said.
to noise, I think we are still at an early stage,” he commented by telephone.
mental and physical health, as well in the classroom and the workplace, he pointed
out.
Germany and especially Britain, where more than 800,000 people are exposed to
steady decibel levels ranging from 55 to more than 75.
said.
to provide standardised data on noise levels from road, rail and air transport.
in Europe, showing the extent of noise pollution from rail, air, and road traffic
and 102 agglomerations.
the number of people exposed to transport noise, bringing together data from 19
of the 32 member states, as reported under the requirements of the Environmental
Noise Directive.
inhabitants are exposed to noise levels above 55 dB Lden from transport noise.
Just over 41 million Europeans are exposed to excessive noise from road traffic
alone in the largest cities.