Noise pollution is a major public health issue, causing illness and death across Europe from traffic and aircraft noise.
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Noise pollution, stemming from sources like vehicles, airplanes, and city clamor, is a significant and under-researched public health issue. According to European Environment Agency (EEA) standards, noise exceeding 55 dB during the day and 50 dB at night is harmful. The EEA report indicates that approximately 112 million people’s health suffers from noise pollution from roads, railways, and airplanes. In 2021 alone in Europe, long-term noise exposure was linked to about 66,000 premature deaths, 50,000 cases of cardiovascular diseases, and 22,000 cases of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, only 34% of residents in a detailed analysis of 233 cities have access to quiet green areas within a 400-meter walk. Noise pollution is also an economic drain, with the World Health Organization classifying it as Europe’s second greatest environmental threat after air pollution. Road traffic is the dominant source of environmental noise, particularly in densely populated urban areas, affecting about 92 million people, followed by rail (18 million) and aviation (2.6 million). Studies have shown increased risks of stroke and coronary heart disease for residents near airports, as seen in London and Brussels. While the exact mechanism of how airplane noise causes cardiovascular diseases is still being investigated, various European countries are implementing regulations; for example, Poland has local restrictions, WrocÅ‚aw imposes higher fees on night flights, PoznaÅ„ allocated funds for noise compensation, and GdaÅ„sk refunds window replacements. Separately, a biological study found that different types of music—including AC/DC, classic rock, and city sounds—affected the effectiveness of ladybugs in controlling aphids, with AC/DC’s music having the most negative impact on them.
