Filenews 10 May 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Unwanted and harmful noises generated by human activities, including noises emitted by means of transport, by road, rail and air transport, but also by industrial areas, are dealt with by a number of European legislation. For at least three harmful effects (ischemic heart disease, significant discomfort and significant sleep disturbance) a relationship between them and environmental noise was found.
Exposure to unwanted noise threatens public health, with an impact on society. Specifically, it can cause sleep disorders, affect cognitive function in students, cause physiological stress reactions. Stress can cause the production of certain hormones which may lead to a variety of intermediate effects, including an increase in blood pressure. During an extended period of exposure, these effects may, in turn, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders.
In the context of harmonisation of national legislation with a European Commission Directive laying down methods for assessing the harmful effects of environmental noise, the Department of the Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment as the competent authority for the implementation of the Environmental Noise Assessment and Management Laws of 2004 to 2019, has harmonized the National Legislation with Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 on the assessment and management of environmental noise.
A proposal by the Department for the Environment aims to harmonise national law with Commission Directive (EU) 2020/367 of 4 March 2020 amending Annex III to Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the definition of methods for assessing the harmful effects of environmental noise. Until now, Member States have used existing evaluation methods adopted at national level, without mandatory application. The amendment will make the application of the common evaluation methods binding on the Member States.
By amending the Legislation and replacing Annex IV to Law 224(I)/2004, common assessment methods are to be developed to determine dose-effect health relationships with regard to the effects of noise from road, rail and air traffic. In particular, mathematical equations are introduced to calculate three harmful effects: (a) ischemic heart disease (IHD), (b) significant discomfort (HH), (c) significant sleep disturbance (HSD).
In preparing the Annex to Directive (EU) 2020/367, Relationships between environmental noise and the above three harmful effects have been found, and there is currently no evidence to identify a common method for assessing harmful effects related to stroke, hypertension, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, cognitive disorders in children, mental health and well-being, auditory damage, tinnitus and adverse effects on births. Similarly, while the link between noise from rail and air traffic and ischemic heart disease has been established, for these two sources it is premature to quantify the increased risk for ischemic heart disease. Therefore, future revisions are proposed in the Annex to Directive (EU) 2020/367.
The above calculations relate to road, air and rail traffic noise. Dose-effect relationships were developed within the Framework of the World Health Organization and other studies (Netherlands Institute of Health). At present, a common method is not proposed to assess the effects on the harmful effects of industrial noise because there is little knowledge available. The European Commission also did not assess the specificities by country and were therefore not included in the Annex to Directive (EU) 2020/367.
The results of the implementation of the above calculations are that the number of people exposed to different noise zones will be estimated (55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, >75dB) for indicators in Lden (24 hours) and Lnight (23:00-7:00) with common evaluation methods and will be comparable in all Member States.
Cyprus should use these methods from 31 December 2021 onwards, starting with the 4th round of strategic noise mapping, by drawing up strategic noise maps by 30/6/2022 and establishing action plans by 18/7/2023, with a view to preventing and reducing environmental noise.
It is noted that the Department of the Environment carried out a targeted consultation in January 2021, with a view to preparing the bill for harmonisation of this Directive. In particular, the dialogue concerned the Environment Commissioner, the Ministry of Health, the Cyprus Medical Association, the Cyprus Scientific Technical Chamber (ETEC), academic institutions and non-governmental organisations. Considering that these amendments are of a technical nature, the above bodies did not express any significant views which differ from all the equations and coefficients in the Annex to the Bill. In particular, replies were received from the Ministry of Health and the University of Cyprus.
Protection of health and the environment
The effects of noise exposure affect the national economy, leading to a loss of worker productivity, a burden on health care systems and a devaluation of the value of real estate.
One of the main objectives of the European Union's policy to protect health and the environment is to protect citizens from noise. 'Environmental noise' means unwanted or harmful noises in the countryside generated by human activities, including noises emitted by means of transport, by road, rail and air transport and by industrial sites.
The Environmental Noise Act covers noise to which people are exposed, in particular in densely built areas, in public parks or other quiet areas of urban complexes, in quiet areas of the countryside, as well as near schools, hospitals, and other buildings and areas sensitive to noise. The law does not cover noises caused by the exposed person himself, domestic activities, neighbours, the workplace, transport or military activities within military areas.
