The various sources of noise pollution (2)

It was really heartening and enlightening to read through Mario de Marco’s Talking Point entitled Ultimately, Noise Pollution Matters (September 3). In his article Dr de Marco manifested the vast areas that noise pollution is displayed and the various agencies under which the responsibilities of the different types of noise pollution falls. We, as citizens, should do our utmost to control such noise and report any abuse to the specific authorities.

Tackling what is termed as “neighbouring noise” should be one of the priorities that the authorities concerned should examine. It is unacceptable that some of us live in an environment polluted with all types of noise that very often can be easily restricted or avoided completely. How often do we come across private and public areas of entertainment where the music is being played at full blast to the detriment of those who would want to enjoy a quiet evening? Such loud music, especially in summer, is being played in various entertaining places like Qawra and Buġibba till early morning.

Various examples could be pointed out as noise pollution. One of them is the loud rumbling noise caused by certain motor bikers.

It is customary, for example, that after the summer season is over, the St Paul’s Bay bypass is used as a racing track every Sunday morning by a number of bikers from all over the island. Another example is the limited number of power boats that exhibit the loudest noise possible during the summer months. Such habits that cause a nuisance to the surrounding neighbourhood should be prohibited. The list of such unwanted noise is endless.

Besides being hazardous to our health, if we want to relax and enjoy our free time better, noise pollution should be controlled by one and all. All of us, both citizens and those in authority, should make a concerted effort to reduce such pollution.

Dr de Marco earmarked salient points that augur for a future that is environmentally less noise polluted. His concluding remarks in his article are very encouraging: “We want to make sure that our laws and regulations dealing with noise are simple, clear and implementable.”

“We also want to ensure” he continues “that we have clear national standards and thresholds regarding permitted level of noise from various activities and that the authorities have the necessary legal power and practical means to control the activities that exceed these thresholds.”

Let us, as a nation, work in unison with these various authorities to make Malta a more relaxing and healthier environment by reducing to a minimum noise pollution.