When it comes to Noise & Light Pollution, Australia is asleep at the wheel as it affects human health and biodiversity.
Noise and light pollution may cause serious harm to man and to the environment. This EU report reviews the damage caused by noise and light pollution to man and other living species. These types of pollution can have serious repercussions, such as disturbing ecosystems and provoking diseases in humans.
In the countries in which reliable statistics are available it is considered that around 40% of the population is exposed to noise levels exceeding 55 dB during the day and 22% of the population to levels of more than 65 dB. Over 30% of the population is believed to be exposed to noise levels exceeding 55 dB during the night (the acoustic nuisance scale begins at 65 dB). Prolonged exposure to noise, particularly among the young, poses a real health threat.
The fight against noise and light pollution is a major environmental and public health challenge. The report calls for an integrated approach to the problem and for efforts to raise awareness of the whole society. It is also suggested that all member states take measures to introduce threshold levels for noise and light and impose penalties for exceeding those levels.
