New report: 20% of Europeans impacted by transport noise

A report published last week by the European Environment Agency finds that long-term exposure to transport noise in Europe is linked to a wide range of negative impacts on our health including cardiovascular diseases, mental illness, diabetes and even premature death. It children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of noise and new research finds noise exposure in children contributes to reading impairment, behavioural problems and obesity. The report says noise pollution from transport sources results in annual economic costs of at 0.6% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) each year.

The report is based on reporting by EEA Member States under the EU’s Environmental Noise Directive and looks at the impact on human health and impacts of noise on biodiversity and protected natural areas.  Underwater noise pollution from shipping, offshore construction and marine exploration also disrupts marine life particularly in species in Europe’s waters that rely on sound for survival such as whales and dolphins. Areas with the highest underwater noise exposure in Europe include parts of the English Channel.

EU’s Environmental Noise Directive