How city noise affects you and what to do about it

Why is it so noisy in cities

Noise pollution, that is, excessive noise, suffersA third of citizens in Russia suffer from excessive noise / Domofond.ru 35% of residents of Russian cities. No wonder, since its sourcesHours of Silence / Official website of the Mayor of Moscow surround us everywhere.

• Construction sites. Carrying out noisy work - crushing walls, hammering piles, shouting into a loudspeaker - is officially allowed all daylight hours. In addition, contractors do not have to stop construction at night, they just need to stop using equipment that exceeds the permissible noise and vibration standards.
• Transport. Noise from a busy highway, railroad track, airport or helipad located near your home can occur day and night - after all, transport runs around the clock.
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• Industrial enterprises. The noise level depends on the type of production and the tools used.
• Shop or cafe on the ground floor. Music playing in the background, the sound of a constantly opening front door, conversations of visitors and employees can penetrate into the apartment. The unloading of goods or products will also be a separate source of noise.
• Neighbors. Permanent renovation is a problem familiar to all apartment owners in new buildings. Additional sources of noise are excessively loud guests, a dog barking, or a crying baby.
• Meetings of friends in the courtyards. Night gatherings under the window with alcohol and music. This problem occurs especially often in spring and summer.
• Car alarm. The reason for its activation is not always the hijackers: thunder, fireworks or other sharp sound or movement near the car can cause a cacophony.

What noise level is considered acceptable

Noise levels in cities are closely monitored. In the regions, this is done by local branches of Rospotrebnadzor, and in Moscow there is a special acoustic service with mobile stations that workHours of Silence / Official website of the Mayor of Moscow around the clock. The maximum permissible noise level in residential buildings isOn approval of the Regulation on the recognition of premises as residential premises, residential premises unsuitable for living 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night. In addition, in cities, hours of silence are legally established: for example, in Moscow from 23 to 7 hours it is impossibleOn the observance of the peace of citizens and silence in the city of Moscow make repairs, carry out unloading and loading operations in the courtyards of residential buildings, launch pyrotechnics and even make noise at the entrance. Violations can be reported to the district police officer or by calling the police station.

They are also fighting against noise from transport - along airports, railways and highways, noise screens are installed. If the hum from cars still gets through the windows of the apartment, you need to write an application to Rospotrebnadzor or the Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection (for Muscovites).

How noise affects well-being

Noise is divided into two types: vibrational (stamping, falling objects, the work of a puncher) and air (barking, crying, music). Both can seriously affect health.

The most obvious consequence is problemsHearing loss / Mayo clinic with hearing: from ringing in the ears and distorted sounds to complete loss - depends on exposure time and volume. There is evidence that noise pollution canWhat are the health effects of noise pollution? increase blood pressure, and it also increasesNoise from busy roads might increase heart disease risk, finds new study / Imperial College London the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

However, noise affects not only physical health, but also mental. Prolonged exposure mayWhat are the health effects of noise pollution? increased sensitivity to stress - a person becomes irritable, and any trifle is able to get mad. This influence on inner peace is noticeably enhanced if a person realizes that there is nothing he can do about the noise. Also, constant noise can cause problems with sleep, which means you have to forget about productive work: due to lack of sleep, sometimesThe Link Between Sleep and Job Performance / Sleep Foundation difficult to concentrate.

Noise pollution affectsNoise Pollution & Human Health: A Review / ResearchGate not only for adults, but also for children. Their concentration may be impaired, their learning ability may be impaired, and the development of speech and communication skills may be slowed down.

How to deal with noise

City noise entering the apartment can be dealt with with a sound-absorbing coating. It can be panels, membranes or acoustic drywall - there are many solutions and materials on the market now. To prevent windows from letting in noise from the street, choose options with high soundproofing properties and high-quality external glass. Blackout curtains are also available. As a bonus, they will also protect against bright light.

If loud neighbors are the problem, try rearranging furniture. For example, place bookshelves or cabinets next to a wall that borders another apartment - the furniture will absorb some of the noise. A carpet with a dense pile will save you from sounds from below, and acoustic ceilings on top.

If all else fails, it may be worth considering a radical solution to the problem - moving. 43% of residents of large Russian cities consider it the best option: they are readyDue to constant noise, 43% of residents of large cities in Russia are ready to move / Strelka mag change your place of residence, if only to finally find yourself in silence. If you are looking for a new home, make sure that there are no sources of noise in the neighborhood: there should be no busy highways and large industries near the house. In Moscow, you can focus on the mapNoise map noise pollution developed by Urbica. Also talk with future neighbors, find out how good the audibility is in the selected house.