Around 113 million Europeans experience road traffic noise that can disturb sleep, metabolism, cognitive and cardiovascular abilities.
One in five Europeans is a victim of noise pollution. In a report titled “Noise in Europe – 2020”, the European Environment Agency (EEA) points to road traffic as the main source of noise pollution in Europe. According to projections,noise levels will increase in both urban and rural areas over the next ten years due to urban growth and increased demand for mobility”, the report adds. Trains, planes and industry are the other main sources of environmental noise pollution.
12,000 premature deaths per year
In its report, the EEA deplores the inability of the European Union to respect its commitments concerning noise pollution. “The objective set for 2020 to reduce noise pollution (…) will not be achieved. It is expected to increase due to future urban growth and increased demand for mobility”, she laments. In the majority of European countries, more than half of the urban population is exposed to sound levels greater than or equal to 55 decibels and therefore greater than the 53 decibels recommended by the World Health Organization.
Exposure to this nuisance is not without health consequences. The EEA considers that “such exposure is responsible for 12,000 premature deaths and contributes to the occurrence of 48,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease (caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries) each year across Europe”. The agency adds that 22 million people also suffer from severe chronic discomfort and 6.5 million people face significant chronic sleep disorders. In addition to humans, this noise pollution threatens wildlife since noise can reduce breeding success and increase mortality and exodus of animals to quieter areas.
Measures to reduce the noise level
To reduce noise pollution, the Agency proposes a series of measures. In particular, it suggests replacing paved roads with asphalt, better managing traffic flows and lowering speed limits to 30km/h. It is also about changing behaviors, adds the AEE, so that people “use less noisy modes of transport such as cycling, walking or electric vehicles”. Finally, it proposes to develop, in the cities, quiet areas allowing to escape from the noises of the city.
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