The European Environmental Bureau welcomes the WHO\u2019s findings and calls on EU governments to act to protect people from the growing threat posed by noise pollution.<\/p>\n
The EEB is Europe\u2019s largest network of environmental organisations with around 140 members in over 30 countries.<\/em><\/p>\n Margherita Tolotto<\/strong>, EEB Air and Noise Policy Officer said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe WHO highlights what is now Europe\u2019s second biggest environmental health threat \u2013 after air pollution. Luckily for policy makers, the solutions required to cut noise pollution will also help to tackle air pollution \u2013 and could also help to protect the climate too. The benefits of rethinking transport and building truly liveable\u00a0cities are becoming increasingly hard to argue with.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The World Health Organisation\u2019s findings are based on research by two independent groups of experts using a rigorous scientific methodology. They investigated the impact of noise pollution on several health outcomes: cardiovascular and metabolic effects, annoyance, effects on sleep, cognitive impairment, hearing impairment and tinnitus, adverse birth outcomes, and quality of life, mental health and well-being. They also investigated the effectiveness of intervening to reduce noise on these outcomes.<\/p>\n The WHO makes \u201cstrong\u201d recommendations \u2013 which include specific interventions to reduce exposure from road traffic and aircraft noise \u2013 are those where the science has proven a net benefit to society. The WHO says its strong recommendations, which also include action to reduce noise from railways, should be implemented \u201cin most circumstances\u201d.<\/p>\n There is a lower level of certainty about \u201cconditional\u201d recommendations – including those related to wind turbines and \u201cleisure noise\u201d (such as the music you hear in the gym, at a caf\u00e9 or at live events). The WHO states that the preferences of individuals and populations affected mean there are circumstances where these recommendations would not apply.<\/p>\n Tolotto<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe WHO is unambiguous about the need to cut noise from traffic and aircraft \u2013 and the methods that should be used to achieve this. When it comes to wind turbines, or the noise from your favourite band at a concert, it\u2019s right that the individuals affected are properly consulted and local preferences taken into account.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n