Latest news with #LeenaYlä-Mononen
Euronews
2 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
1 in 5 Europeans exposed to dangerous noise pollution, report reveals
More than one in five Europeans are exposed to harmful transport noise, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) report, making it the third most deadly environmental threat behind air pollution and extreme temperatures. Road traffic is the most widespread source of transport noise, exposing an estimated 92 million people to levels above the EU's Environmental Noise Directive (END) threshold of 55 decibels (dB) for the day-evening-night period. This is a weighted average sound level over a 24-hour period that accounts for how people are more sensitive to noise during the night. Rail traffic impacts 18 million people, followed by aircraft noise disturbing 2.6 million. The resulting physiological stress and sleep disturbance contribute to 66,000 early deaths a year and many cases of heart disease and diabetes, according to the Environmental noise in Europe report, which is published every five years and covers 31 countries. 'Noise pollution is often overlooked, considered just an annoyance of everyday life,' the EEA's executive director, Leena Ylä-Mononen, says. 'However, long-term impacts of noise on our health and environment are widespread and significant.' If measured against World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, which have a slightly lower threshold of 53 dB for road traffic, closer to one in three European citizens are being exposed to risky noise pollution. Which countries suffer most from noise pollution? In terms of absolute numbers, France has the highest number of people exposed to transport noise when averaged out across day and night: an estimated 24 million people. Germany has the highest number during nighttime hours alone, with some 15 million people affected. When you look at it in terms of percentages, it's a different matter. Over 50 per cent of the population is exposed to harmful noise levels in Cyprus and Luxembourg. Populations in France and Austria also fare badly by this metric. At the other end of the scale, only three countries - Estonia, Slovakia and Portugal - are estimated to have less than 10 per cent of their populations exposed to levels above the END threshold. How can we return to a safer volume? The EU is currently off track to meet its target of reducing the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30 per cent by 2030 (compared to 2017 levels). There are several legislative changes the report recommends to pick up the pace, including: For road transport: Lowering speed limits for vehicles in urban areas, and boosting the use of low-noise tyres. For railway noise: Mandating the use of quieter braking systems, requiring better maintenance of trains and track, and retrofitting freight trains. For aircraft noise: Optimising landing and take-off patterns, and encouraging the introduction of quieter planes. Low-noise asphalt, building insulation and noise barriers are some of the measures that countries are exploring closer to people's homes. The researchers also highlight the connections between green space and noise safety. At least 29 per cent of the surface area of Europe's Natura 2000 network is affected by high noise levels from transport, they say, jeopardising the continent's conservation goals. Increasing access to green areas and keeping them quiet is key, as these spaces can provide psychological restoration and help reduce noise annoyance for people.
DW
2 days ago
- Health
- DW
Over 20% Europeans exposed to unhealthy noise pollution – DW – 06/24/2025
More than 100 million people are impacted by transport noise at levels harmful to human health, the environment and economy, says a new EU report. More than one in five Europeans are exposed to unhealthily high levels of noise pollution from road, rail and aircraft, according to a report today from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Long-term exposure to the sound of traffic has been connected to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, mental illness, diabetes and premature death. Children and young people are believed to be particularly vulnerable to its far-reaching impacts, which can include educational performance and weight gain. The report finds an estimated 112 million people across 31 countries in Europe live with long-term traffic noise louder than the thresholds of 55 dB set by the European Noise Directive. That is equivalent to a residential street or a normal conversation. The number impacted rises to over 30% of Europeans when measured against stricter World Health Organization recommendations for safe levels of sound. "Noise pollution is often overlooked, considered just an annoyance of everyday life," said Leena Ylä-Mononen, executive director of the EEA, but argued "it's a problem all EU Member States need to urgently address if we are to make progress on our EU 2030 zero pollution target to reduce noise pollution." The report identified road traffic as the main problem — particularly in crowded urban areas — impacting an estimated 92 million people across the continent. Only a third of the population in cities assessed have access to quiet, green areas within 400 meters of their homes. Countless studies highlight the health benefits of time spent in nature. Noise from traffic is the third biggest environmental health threat in Europe, behind air pollution and temperature related factors, according to the report. Across the continent, it results in the annual loss of 1.3 million healthy life years, which the report measures by combining years of life lost due to premature death with those lived in bad health. Environmental noise and the resulting sleep disturbance can trigger both physical and psychological stress responses associated with metabolic illness, stress and anxiety, disease and cognitive impairment. The report, which says millions suffer from sleep disturbances resulting from excessive noise, cites 66,000 related premature deaths as well as tens of thousands of cases of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in Europe each year. It highlights new research pointing at a potential connection to depression and dementia. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Too much noise is also taking its toll on the young. The authors say being blasted by the sounds of traffic is causing half a million children to experience reading difficulties and 63,000 to have behavioral challenges. It also draws a connection to more than a quarter of a million overweight young people. Humans are not the only ones distressed by the din. Wildlife is also being disrupted. Almost a third of Europe's most threatened and valuable protected nature reserves are at the mercy of roaring traffic. In Europe's waters, the noise of shipping, offshore construction and ocean exploration is impacting marine wildlife. Many species, such as whales and dolphins, rely on sound to survive. Studies have found that all animal species change their behavior in response to high levels of noise. Birds such as great tits in cities in Europe, Japan and the UK have been recorded singing higher than their country counterparts, and vocal changes have also been noted in insects, grasshoppers and frogs living near motorways. Among animal species noise pollution can disrupt mating, the rearing of offspring, and make it harder to locate prey. Noise pollution is also costing the European economy €95.6 billion (€82.43 billion) annually, through loss of productivity resulting from its health impacts. While the report focused on Europe, extreme noise can be found in all major cities, from London to Dhaka to Algiers. In New York, 90% of people using transport are subject to noise that exceeds safety limits and can lead to permanent hearing damage. Around the world, poorer communities are more likely to be located beside industrial plants, landfills or major traffic arteries, exposing them to more noise than wealthier residents in the same city. Experts have suggested noise pollution could be eased by reducing traffic, setting lower speed limits, promoting more public transport as well as electric vehicles and cycle paths. The EEA report says action needs to be taken at both the EU and national level, recommending improved access to quiet and green spaces in cities, as well as measures such as using low noise tires, regular rail maintenance to smooth tracks and optimizing aircraft take-off and landing patterns. It says without additional regulatory or legislative action, the EU is unlikely to reach existing targets aiming for a 30% reduction in the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 2030.
