Acoustic smog is the second largest – after air pollution – environmental threat to health. That is why the Polish coalition of a noise alarm appeals to the government, among others for restoring more severe norms of permissible noise. Climate and health departments are working on a possible change in regulations.
The letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk in this matter was sent on the occasion of the celebrated on Friday, April 25 this year. International Day of Awareness of Hałas. It was signed by 32 NGOs, as well as bottom -up initiatives and representatives of the academic community associated in the Polish coalition of a noise alarm.
At the same time, the Ministry of Climate and Environment informed PAP that it cooperates with the Ministry of Health in the event of a possible amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of June 14, 2007 on permissible noise levels in the environment.
As the signatories of the letter reminded, since 2012 in Poland, alleviated standards of the permissible level of communication noise, which do not protect residents, especially in agglomerations. The Minister of the Environment then introduced new standards of daily and long -term communication noise – in large cities they amount to 70 decibels (DB) during the day and up to 65 dB at night. Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), nagging sounds above 55 dB have an adverse effect on human health. Tiredness, irritability, headaches, abdomen or muscles appear then.
“Scientific research clearly confirms that long -term exposure to noise exceeding 55 dB can lead to permanent cognitive and emotional deficits, especially in children” – wrote the authors of the appeal.
According to WHO, noise causes about 12 thousand a year. cases of premature death in the European Union. Acoustic smog is considered the second largest – after air pollution – environmental threat to public health.
Almost 32 million adult Europeans are exposed to excessive noise, and over 13 million suffer from sleep disorders.
“Acoustic smog is a quiet killer who destroys the health of millions of Polish women and Poles every day, especially the youngest. Studies clearly show that children exposed to long -term noise have problems with concentration, science and emotional development,” commented, quoted in a press release sent in PAP, Alan Grine from the social organization of the Institute of Acoustics.
He pointed out that Switzerland, the Netherlands or Scandinavian countries have long understood that each amount invested in protection against noise brings several times more savings in the later treatment of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and mental disorders.
“It is not a matter of comfort – it is a matter of public health and state responsibility towards citizens,” GRINDE said.
In his opinion, the alleviation of noise standards in 2012 was a step back, which still takes its toll to this day. In Poland, mortality from heart disease is twice as high as in other European Union countries. “Time to stop pretending that the problem does not exist and make bold decisions. If we really care about the future of Poland, we must start with creating a quieter, healthier environment for everyone,” he appealed.
Nina Józefina Bąk from Clean Cities Polska reminded that in Polish cities most people live in an area where noise pollution is so great that they are harmful to health. “For example, in Warsaw, as many as 65 % of residents are exposed to excessive street noise, in Poznań it is almost 50 percent, and in Gdańsk almost 60 percent.” She mentioned.
Magdalena Zając from the Parents' Association for the climate pointed out that Polish children meet with noise in virtually every place where they stay – on the way to school, at which large streets usually run, at school, both during lessons (especially in physical education lessons) and during breaks. “Studies say that during school breaks, noise reaches 90 to 110 db. For comparison – 130 dB is a limit of pain. The question arises – how should children survive, learn, focus and be healthy in such conditions?” The hare said. She pointed out that in the noise of children they became nervous and even aggressive. “Noise causes long -term stress. Everyone, including an adult, is not resistant to this type of pollution. I think that we should seriously deal with the topic of noise in Poland – this is one of the greater threats of civilization,” she assessed.
In its letter, the Polish noise alarm calls for the restoration of more severe standards regarding the permissible communication noise (those from before 2012) and to take decisive action in the fight against acoustic smog. The signatories of the letter also call for: conducting a wide educational campaign on acoustic smog, the implementation of nationwide research on the impact of noise pollution on public health and undertaking constant cooperation with social organizations and the academic environment in order to develop solutions that reduce noise pollution.
Organizations also pay attention to the economic effects of acoustic smog. In the USA, expenditure on the treatment of noise -related diseases, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, is estimated at tens of billions of dollars a year. An additional aspect is the impact of noise on biodiversity and balance of ecosystems.
In response to the question of PAP, whether the government sees the need to change the norms of permissible noise, the climate ministry informed: “The Ministry of the Climate and Environment plans to conduct an analysis of aggregated data from strategic noise maps and environmental protection programs against noise.” He emphasized that the current maps and noise protection programs take into account the impact of noise on the health of the population for the first time. He added that the analysis would identify the most important problems and areas that require improvement in Poland, in order to possible amendment to the applicable regulations in this regard. The results of this analysis will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health to develop a common position – the ministry said.
MKiŚ representatives indicated that on the basis of the Commission Directive (EU) 2020/367 of 4 March 2020, an obligation was introduced in the documents in question, the assessment of the harmful effects of noise in the environment in relation to the possibility of: ischemic heart disease (IHD), significant nuisance (ha), significant sleep disorders (HSD).
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