Latest news with #EnvironmentalNoiseDirective
Euronews
24-06-2025
- 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.
Euronews
25-02-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Noise pollution directive: a far cry from effective
A study by the European Court of Auditors, released in January, underlined the lack of EU-wide noise reduction targets and also pointed to lax monitoring of noise pollution in many countries. More than 30% of the European population is exposed to noise levels harmful to humans. The young are the most sensitive, with more than 60,000 children in Europe suffering from cognitive and learning problems as a result. The Environmental Noise Directive has been in place for over 20 years but has never been revised, leading to government inaction in many countries where there are no legally binding targets. "Member states are required to produce plans to monitor the level of noise in the busy parts of the road network and in cities. But beyond reporting to the Commission, they don't actually have to do anything and a few governments have been reluctant even to produce these noise maps on time," said Robert Hodgson, who reports on the environment for Euronews. Prolonged exposure to harmful noise can cause cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health diseases, and citizens euronews spoke to in Brussels and Athens expressed many concerns. "When I wake up in the morning, there's the sound of horns honking on my street. These are things that can affect my mood throughout the day and my life in the long run," said a young resident of Brussels. "Surely they could take some measures, they could reduce the decibels produced by the exhausts and use better technology," added an Athenian. EU-wide noise reduction targets missing According to the World Health Organisation, noise levels are considered excessive when they exceed 53 dB; a lower bar than the 55 dB threshold set by the European Union. Road traffic is the main source of noise pollution (80%), followed by rail traffic (15%) and air transport (1%). Austria, Cyprus, Czechia, France and Luxembourg are the EU member states with the highest percentage of urban residents exposed to excessive noise. The European Commission has set a new target to reduce the number of people chronically affected by noise pollution by 30% by the end of this decade. The EU executive also said that it might look into reviewing the directive and setting a binding target if it deems this necessary, but decisions will not be taken before 2029. "We need a better monitoring system and clearer provisions on what amounts to noise pollution and what are the specific obligations of member states," insisted Peter Agius, a centre-right member of the European Parliament form Malta that has been active in this field within the Public Health and Committee. "Some definitions are sometimes vague and are interpreted in different ways in different member states," he added. It's a sign of poor implementation that more than half of the 27 Member States have not provided data on noise pollution, as required by the EU directive. Experts warn that without more ambitious action, the number of people suffering serious harm from transport noise could even increase. Watch the video here!
