Does the noise of a big city affect our health

Tengrinews.kz - In the megacities of Kazakhstan, the roar of motorcycles, the screeching of mopeds on city streets, the noise of traffic jams and car horns are a common sight, for example, for cities such as Astana or Almaty. Does this affect our mental and physical health?
How noise is measured
The territorial divisions of the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control measure noise levels at control points located in residential areas near major highways. These points are selected taking into account the development and number of houses along the road, as well as based on the noise measurement methodology.
According to the data, 585 studies of sound measurements in residential areas of populated areas were conducted in Astana and Almaty over the first 9 months of 2024, and excess was found in 223 samples.

“At the same time, it is impossible to differentiate excess sound levels specifically from highways, since there are other sources of noise in residential areas,” the department’s response to our official request says.

In accordance with paragraph 8 of Article 113 of the Code "On Public Health and Healthcare System," data on samples exceeding the norm are transferred to local government for taking measures and creating noise maps.
It is noteworthy that sound levels are regulated by hygienic standards approved by the order of the Minister of Healthcare.
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Noise standards
Permissible noise levels in residential areas
For residential premises (apartments):

Equivalent noise level (average level) during the daytime is 40 dBa, at night - 30 dBa.
Maximum noise level during the daytime is 55 dBa, at night - 45 dBa.

For the area immediately adjacent to residential buildings, holiday homes, boarding houses for the elderly and people with special needs, clinics, schools and similar educational institutions, preschool institutions, recreation areas of microdistricts and groups of residential buildings:

Equivalent noise level during the daytime is 55 dBa, at night - 45 dBa.
Maximum noise level during the daytime is 70 dBa, at night - 60 dBa.

As is known, dBA is a measurement of noise level that takes into account the peculiarities of human ear perception.
Interestingly, according to ChatGPT:

30 dBA is a very quiet sound, like a whisper or the background noise of a library.
40 dBA is the volume of a normal, quiet conversation between two people in a room.
45 dBA is the noise level of a quiet refrigerator or a quiet noise in the next room.
55 dBA is the noise level of a normal conversation in an office or a conversation between several people in a cafe.
60 dBA is a loud noise, like a group of people talking or a loud TV in the next room.
70 dBA is the noise level in crowded places, like the noise on the street during rush hour or on a bus with many passengers.

Photo: depositphotos.com
Does excessive noise affect health
As reported by the committee, the conducted studies have shown that there is a link between the impact of noise on the health of the population. However, in order to find out exactly how noise affects people who live near its sources, scientific research is needed.

"Problems associated with noise include diseases caused by stress, high blood pressure, hearing loss, sleep disturbances and loss of productivity (reduced working capacity - ed.). At the same time, the causes of illness are multifactorial (general health, environmental impact: water, air, soil, electromagnetic fields, profession, nutrition and other factors). In this regard, to determine the cause-and-effect relationship of noise impact on the population living near noise sources, it is necessary to conduct scientific research," the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Healthcare noted in its response.

The department also reminded that solving the noise problem begins with the development of urban development projects and plans for the development of the region "taking into account the exclusion of the negative impact of noise on the health of the population."
To reduce noise in residential areas, the committee recommends, for example, creating green zones.

"When noise levels in residential areas are excessive, the best thing to do is to create green zones. In this case, it is most effective to plant grass, shrubs, and trees at once, that is, to create multi-level greenery. Also, the development of public transport, the creation of a network of bicycle paths, and the improvement of pedestrian infrastructure will allow people to switch to more efficient and quiet means of transportation around the city," the committee added.