Spotlight on noise and health

The European Parliament and the ministers in the Competitiveness Council are currently discussing a proposal to update the EU law on sound level of motor vehicles. A hearing in the European Parliament on 11 April will bring together scientists, MEPs, health and environment groups to discuss details on this key piece of legislation to reduce noise at source. As a WHO assessment on the burden of disease from environmental noise showed, traffic noise is the second biggest environmental threat to health after air pollution. Despite this alarming evidence, reducing noise exposure is not yet in the full EU political spotlight and more action is needed to reduce this public health threat.

For example, HEAL and partners Transport & Environment and European Environmental Bureau think that the proposed measures and timetable to reduce noise from cars, vans and trucks should be more ambitious

Find more information in our policy section on noise.

Originally posted on 6 April 2012