Noisy Cities

Noise Pollution

There is a rapidly rising concern with environmental pollution and its negative effect on the health of global citizens. This effect is most pronounced in large cities as pollutants are concentrated in confined spaces, exposing the residents to a variety of health issues. One culprit that is often overlooked despite its link to early mortality and constant presence in the life of city-dwellers is noise pollution.

Environmental noise pollution has been associated with multiple long term issues including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, impaired long-term memory, as well as a range of psychiatric issues. (Miedema) According to the European Environmental Agency, upwards of “900,000 preventable cases of hypertension”, “43,000 additional hospital admissions, and 10,000 cases of premature mortality” can be attributed to noise pollution each year” of which, “90% can be associated with road traffic noise.” (EEA, 46)

The exact reason behind the adverse effect of noise pollution is still being studied, but stress seems to be a major player. In experimental situations, changes in circulation, heart rate, vasoconstriction, and output of stress hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and corticosteroids were “elevated in subjects exposed to high levels of noise.” (who) In another experiment, the release of stress hormones due to increased noise exposure over periods led to increased release of cortisol which corresponded with a significant elevation in both diastolic and arterial blood pressure. (Andrén L, 139)

A number of studies have examined the relationship between stress and sleep quality and shown that increased levels of daytime stress can lead to a decrease in hours of consistent sleep. As we well know, the noise in a city doesn’t stop just because nighttime approaches. According to scientists from Quebec’s Université Laval, stress is a “primary cause of persistent psychophysiological insomnia” (Morin, Rodrigue, and Ivers). Insomniacs that presented the highest levels of sleep disturbance also secreted higher than normal levels of cortisol and stress hormones during the evening and at night. Because of the correlation between noise exposure and stress hormone production and, in turn, between stress hormones and poor sleep quality, many cities across the globe have passed laws regarding acceptable daytime and nighttime noise levels.

Concern about noise pollution isn’t new. The 1972 Noise Control Act stated that uncontrolled noise “present[ed] a growing danger to the health and welfare of a growing nation” and established policy in the United States promoting a healthy environment free from levels of noise the “jeopardize [the] health and welfare” of American citizens. That being said, the power to restrict noise levels legally rests with state and municipal government in the United States. Many cities have implemented ordinances regarding acceptable levels of environmental noise, but enforcement of these ordinances in inconsistent between cities. According to the City of Austin Codes and Ordinances a person cannot make “unreasonable noise” between 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. or cause sounds and vibration that reach more than 30 feet from a vehicle. On a larger scale, the World Health Organization Center for Environment and Heath in conjunction with the European Commission released Night Noise Guidelines for Europe. It is, however, important to note that most regulations in regard to noise fall short on daytime noise regulations which are just as important to protecting citizens from noise-related illness.

When evaluating European countries on the impact of environmental stressors, “traffic noise was ranked second… in terms of their public health impact.” It is also important to note that unlike other environmental stressors like second-hand smoke, nitrous oxides and sulfur oxides released from refining factories, and benzene which are on the decline, noise exposure is increasing. (Miedema, 1) This trend is continued in other cities like Austin where a constant flood of people ensures a corresponding increase in vehicles, construction, and human related noises even with comprehensive city planning to limit the exposure of pedestrians to vehicular noise. According to the EPA, an average level of below 55 decibels outdoors and 45 decibels indoors is recommended to prevent activity interference and annoyance. The European Environment Agency also lists a daily average of 55 db as the level at which noise pollution becomes unwanted and harmful. (EEA- SOER, 5)

While comprehensive city planning is important to determine the ideal locations for roads and high-noise production areas, manly large cities are stuck with the road systems already in place so other solutions must be found. There is also the issue of insulation. Many homes and apartments are not well insulated, be it thin walls or thin windows. Because of this, even indoors many individuals are exposed to high levels of noise. In my apartment, for example, I can hear every car driving by as well as the conversations of pedestrians a story down via my bedroom window. One way to improve this situation would be to offer subsidies to home and apartment owners to put in double-paned windows much like cities are offering subsidies for solar panels.

The placement of sound barriers on highways is also an option for braking up the sound waves before they reach nearby neighborhoods. There are several examples of these throughout the Austin-area. (See figures 1 & 2) Most of these barriers are made of concrete, steel, and other thick materials. There are, however, thinner options available that could be placed in high noise areas where pedestrians are exposed to road-based noise pollution on a daily basis such as areas near Universities with heavy foot traffic. Alternatively, quiet coffee shops and even libraries could offer a safe haven from the noise of a city if they are easily accessible. A more extreme way to decrease noise levels in a city is to close streets to vehicular traffic. This has successfully in some areas but tends to draw the ire of committed vehicle activists.

There are many options for increasing the welfare and health of city residents- some are easy but many can be difficult and expensive. Nonetheless, it is important that city legislators and planners create spaces and enact legislation to benefit the health and well-being of their citizens.

Note: Images taken from the txDOT Design Guide for Highway Barriers (http://ctr.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/pubs/0_1471_4.pdf)

Citations

1. EEA. Noise in Europe-2014. 2014. EEA report No 10/2014 European

2. Environment Agency (https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/noise-in-europe-2014).

3. Miedema, Henk & Janssen, S & Rokho, K. Burden of disease from environmental noise — Quantification of healthy life years lost in Europe. 2011.16.

4. Andrén L, Lindstedt G, Björkman M, Borg KO, Hansson L. Effect of noise on blood pressure and ‘stress’ hormones. Clinical Science. 1982. 62, 137–141. (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fef0/762204db1a45fef4369f1922d36676a74818.pdf)

5. Morin CM, Rodrigue S, Ivers H. Role of stress, arousal, and coping skills in primary insomnia.Psychosomatic Medicine. 2003. 65, 259–267. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12651993)

6. Noise Control Act 1972 (42 U.S.C. § 4901 )

7. Austin City Noise Ordinances:1992 Code Section 10–5–1; Ord. 031023–13; Ord. 031211–11; Ord. 20090312–017; Ord. 20090226–028; Ord. 20091105–026; Ord. 20110210–029; Ord. 20110609–039; Ord. 20111215–055; Ord. 20130822–033; Ord. №20141106–021, Pt. 1, 11–17–14 ; Ord. №20180426–008, Pt. 2, 5–7–18.

8. (https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT9PRAC_CH9-2NOAMSO#)

9. Night noise guidelines for Europe. Copenhagen,WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2009 (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43316/E92845.pdf, accessed 28 July 2010).

10. EEA. Noise. State of the Environment Report. 2015. https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2015/europe/noise