Photo credit: Dương Nhân
by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies
When you read an article that states that an interdisciplinary group of researchers have received a sizable grant to study the impacts of noise, your eyes may open as wide as mine did. The UK-based Surrey University will lead a project called Noise Network Plus. Over the next 10-15 years, the study is also intended to help mitigate the impacts of noise pollution, which could include quieter buildings, products and transportation systems.
The researchers discuss the harmful effects of noise on health as well of the costs of healthcare brought about by noise intrusions. They also list the noises they wish to explore, such as wind turbines, drones and underwater vehicles. Road noise is also identified as harmful to our health.
I am so glad to read of the potential for more quiet in the future, even though I will likely not be here to read about the study’s outcomes. Yet, my children and grandchildren will be around, as will many readers of the Quiet Coalition posts. These researchers understand that noise adversely affects our health, but they are also eager to provide recommendations to reduce noise pollution. Good luck to these researchers who wish to “put a damper” on noise pollution.
