Europe's noisiest country has been identified

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published its comprehensive report on transport-related noise pollution. According to the report, high-decibel noise originating from road, rail, and air traffic is causing serious health problems across Europe. In the study covering 31 countries, noise pollution was classified as the third most lethal environmental threat, following air pollution and extreme heat.

The greatest threat comes from road traffic. According to EEA data, approximately 92 million European citizens are exposed to transport noise levels exceeding 55 decibels on a day-evening-night average. This measurement is based on a 24-hour average that accounts for individual sensitivity, particularly during nighttime hours.

While railway noise affects 18 million people, 2.6 million people living near airports are also harmed by aviation-related noise.

THE COST OF NOISE

According to the report, transport noise does not merely cause discomfort; it also leads to an increase in chronic illnesses such as physiological stress, heart conditions, sleep disorders, and diabetes. These effects cause 66 thousand premature deaths in Europe each year.

In absolute numbers, France stands out as the country most exposed to transport noise. In the country, approximately 24 million people are exposed to noise levels above the health threshold based on day-night averages.

In terms of nighttime noise, Germany is at the top: approximately 15 million German citizens are exposed to harmful sound levels throughout the night.

CYPRUS AND LUXEMBOURG ARE IN THE WORST POSITION RELATIVE TO POPULATION

When viewed in terms of percentages, more than half of the population in Cyprus and Luxembourg is exposed to noise levels above the limits set by the European Environmental Directive. France and Austria are also among the high-risk countries.

THE QUIETEST COUNTRIES HAVE ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED 

Estonia, Slovakia, and Portugal stand out as countries where less than 10 percent of the population is at risk from noise pollution.

THE PICTURE IS EVEN GRIMMER ACCORDING TO THE WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a stricter threshold of 53 dB. According to this criterion, one in three people in Europe is exposed to noise pollution at levels that threaten their health.

News Source: 12punto