Noise Pollution Seriously Affects EU Children

According to the latest report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), noise pollution has become one of the most alarming environmental issues impacting the health and development of children in Europe today. While it receives less attention compared to air or water pollution, noise pollution is causing severe consequences, threatening both the present and future of younger generations.

The EEA’s research estimates that approximately 550,000 children in Europe face difficulties with reading comprehension due to living in environments with high noise levels, particularly from road traffic. Over 20% of Europe’s population is currently exposed to noise levels exceeding safety thresholds, which not only harm physical health but also severely affect mental health and cognitive abilities in children.

Notably, noise pollution has been identified as the cause of various issues, including:

• Reading disorders: About 84% of cases in children are directly linked to noise from road traffic.
• Cardiovascular diseases: Prolonged exposure to noise can lead to chronic stress, impacting the circulatory system and increasing the risk of heart conditions.
• Mental and cognitive disorders: Continuous noise affects children’s brain functions, reducing their ability to focus and remember.
• Anxiety and stress: Persistent noise can heighten children’s anxiety levels, making them feel insecure in their living environments.

Statistics show that 84% of reading disorder cases in children are associated with road traffic noise. (Illustrative photo: unsplash.com)

Noise pollution primarily originates from road traffic, considered the largest source of noise in urban areas. Additionally, rail and air traffic contribute to this issue at lower levels, accounting for 15% and 1%, respectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that average noise levels should not exceed 40 decibels in residential areas at night to prevent health impacts, particularly on children and the elderly.

To mitigate this problem, the EEA recommends the following noise reduction measures:

• Reducing Noise at the Source:
  – Lowering traffic speeds, especially in residential areas.
  – Using quieter tires and engines.
• Improving Living Environments:
  – Enhancing soundproofing in buildings to protect children.
  – Creating more green spaces, which not only reduce noise but also improve air quality.

Source: VTV Online