How Many People Are Affected by Noise Pollution?

Around one in five people in Europe are subjected to unsafe levels of noise pollution, according to new research conducted by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The vast majority of that noise pollution was caused by proximity to vehicular traffic on roads and motorways, but railways and aircraft are also culprits behind the trend.

The findings are concerning due to the fact that excessive levels of noise pollution have been linked with a whole host of health complications. As well as mental problems such as insomnia, stress and anxiety, noise pollution is also thought to contribute to contractions of ischaemic heart disease. Cumulatively, it’s thought that noise pollution causes approximately 12,000 premature deaths in Europe every single year.

By the numbers

While transportation is normally vilified for its adverse effects on air quality networks, it’s also the biggest contributing factor to noise pollution, as well. The EEA, which serves as the environmental watchdog for the continent, found that approximately 113 million people are exposed to noise levels caused by road traffic that is above 55 decibels. This is the threshold which the World Health Organisation has defined as the point at which noise becomes damaging to human health.

Additionally, a further 22 million Europeans are exposed to unsafe noise pollution caused by trains, while four million suffer from excessive levels of aircraft-generated noise pollution. Other sources of the contamination, such as factories and industrial locations, affect up to one million people. However, the figures may actually be an underestimate, given that up to a third of European states did not submit the desired data, despite the deadline for doing so having passed three years ago.

Bad for the environment

As well as negatively impacting human health, it has previously been proven that noise pollution is detrimental to other creatures, too. A 2018 study demonstrated that noise pollution can actually cause PTSD in birds, which inhibits their growth, interferes with reproductive customs and can even lead to malting of feathers. All of this negatively impacts the ability of certain avian populations to survive and thrive.

Meanwhile, it’s not only land- or air-dwelling creatures like humans and birds which are at risk from excessively high noise levels. Underwater noise pollution, caused by passing vessels or industrial operations at sea, can interrupt feeding, migratory and sexual habits of marine animals, as well as making them more vulnerable to predators.

What can be done?

Given that road traffic is the greatest contributor to noise pollution, any measures taken to curb the number of vehicles on the road are beneficial. If more people choose to walk, cycle or take public transport to work, that will have an immediate effect on the noisiness of our streets and thoroughfares.

Meanwhile, manipulation of existing road infrastructure (such as better coordination of traffic light signals, placement of speed controls and smoother asphalt surfaces) can help to ease noise levels. Finally, a transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will not only result in reduced noise pollution, but also have a beneficial effect on ambient air quality, as well.