Monday, 1st December 2008
Traffic noise pollution is a health hazard
Noise pollution consistently ranks high on the list of citizens' concerns as, like other forms of pollution, it is damaging to human health and therefore it should be taken seriously. Noise from road transport is the major source of traffic noise, particularly in Malta.
Researchers have established that "traffic noise" annoys people, causes stress and has a variety of adverse impacts on human health. Traffic noise may disturb sleep patterns, affect cognitive functioning (especially in children) and contributes to certain cardiovascular diseases. The adverse health effects of traffic noise target mostly vulnerable groups like children, the sick and the elderly. Prolonged, cumulative exposure to noise levels above 70 dB(A), common along major roads, may lead to irreversible loss of hearing (Rosenhall et al., 1990). Traffic noise is already recognised as a serious public health problem by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is considered very costly to society.
In the European Union 55dB of road traffic noise is considered as a level potentially dangerous to health. Each year some 245,000 people are affected by cardiovascular diseases with some 50,000 people suffering lethal heart attacks (LC den Boer,A, Schorten-2007).
Regrettably, while in Europe there are significant efforts and initiatives to reduce traffic noise at source (including tyre noise), by contrast in Malta it is has become trendy for motorist and riders to modify their vehicles' (cars and motorcycles) engine exhaust systems to accentuate their vehicles' exhaust noise, in breach of the Motor Vehicles Roadworthiness Test Regulations (S.L.65.15) and the Motor Vehicle Regulations (S.L 65.11).
Notably, the Maltese Motor Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Regulations (S.L.65.15) puts the exhaust sound level testing limit at 119 dB(A) for Class I Vehicle when engine revolutions are at three fourths of maximum rated speed, for Vehicle Classes II at 100 dBA for all petrol engines and for Vehicle Class III, between 101 -105 dBA for diesel engines.
The widespread disregard of the above mentioned regulations by motorists is there for all to see and suffer. Moreover the only 52 contraventions regarding inadequate/faulty silencers, booked in one year, suggest that proper enforcement by the competent authorities, namely the police and the Malta Transport Authority (ADT), leaves much to be desired, to the detriment of public health.
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Comments
When noisy vehicles such as cranes, concrete mixers and generators are used on construction sites for hours at a time, it drives nearby residents mad, especially if they are trying to work from home or rest in the afternoons.
I pointed this out during the consultation exercise that was carried out before the finalisation of the Environment Management Construction Site Regulations and a clause was subsequently included to this effect. The thing is that the limits specified are still way above the ideal limits and - even worse - the regulation was not to be implemented together with the rest of the regulations, and neither was a date given when these would come into force.
This means that even when it is decided that the noise regulation is to be implemented, contractors will not be prepared for it and then request more time to replace or adapt vehicles, delaying it further.