I refer to the article ‘Pembroke residents still suffer mental torture from noisy clubs’ (July 21).

It seems to me Dean Camilleri was taken for a ride when he was promised by the Office of the Prime Minister that the loud music matter would be tackled. It is to be noted that countless sleepless nights lead to the absence of a healthy mental well-being, as stated by Camilleri.

I beg to differ on the matter of a noise level of 80dB, which John Fenech recorded and which he claims to be some 30 per cent higher than the 60dB the World Health Organisation puts as an absolute limit. A sound intensity of 80dB is 100 times as powerful as an intensity of 60dB due to the decibel scale being logarithmic not linear.

Recording the offensive sound level at different times makes sense. For good comparison, the best way to take such readings is from the same open window.

According to the WHO, no biological adverse effect is observed for a maximum of 30dB night noise outside a dwelling. Personally, I consider it fair to suppose that such noise reaching the inside of a bedroom having its window open from a long enough distance would drop to a level of 25dB.

On the other hand, the reputable Institute for Building Services Engineers sets 25dB as the maximum noise rating inside a bedroom with an open window.

But what about the hall where musical activities take place? What standards exist? Surely the impresarios have heard of the existence of double and even triple glazing. Proper insulation separating a hall from the outside is possible. If consideration of the cost of insulation takes precedence over health issues we are doomed to a policy that would be totally pro-business and totally anti-citizen. This, unfortunately, has been the case under both administrations. It is time for a change in mentality.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.