You are in: Home > Noise
Last changed: 13/07/2009
Daily life exerts constant stress on children’s ears. Tests conducted by UBA have shown that one in eight children suffers considerable impairment of hearing ability, one in six lives near high-traffic roads. Children in the lower socio-economic bracket are generally much more exposed to noise. The new study identifies traffic and leisure time activities as the common source of noise.
Noise and air pollution from aircraft cause environmental costs in the vicinity of airports. According to the polluter-pays principle the air traffic sector should pay for these impacts. The Federal Environment Agency invited experts to discuss external costs near airports and concepts for internalising them at a conference on 13th/14th May 2008.
Aircraft noise can be markedly reduced by tightening noise emission standards in the international certification of civil aircraft. A study carried out by the Öko-Institut on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency makes concrete proposals for the updating of international noise standards for civil aircraft in the light of the expected technical development of civil jet engines.
The Blue Angel for low-noise and fuel-saving tyres now has even higher standards, thereby anticipating the limit values that will be in force throughout the EU as of 2012. All this is in the name of protecting human health and the environment—and it also happens to be good for the purse. Blue Angel tyres can save car drivers about 50 euros’ worth in fuel per year.
People exposed to high levels of night-time aircraft noise often have higher blood pressure levels that those living in quieter residential areas. This is a finding from an international study in which the Federal Environment Agency participated. An increase in night-time aircraft noise by 10 decibels [dB(A)] within a noise level range between 30 and 60 [dB(A)] already raises the risk of hypertension in men and women by about 14 percent.
Although noise limit values have been tightened repeatedly during the
past few decades, many passenger cars are still as loud today as they were
25 years ago. A practical test commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency revealed that while manufacturers made significant progress during
this time period in the area of motor vehicle propulsion noise alone, today’s
tires are hardly quieter on the road than 25 years ago.
Aviation noise can be reduced by introducing landing charges based on aircraft noise emissions. A study carried out by Öko-Institut on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency makes practicable recommendations for an effective system of noise-based landing charges that should be taken up in future.