
Wind turbine noise – and the green transition
June 25, 2024
Living close to a road, railway, wind turbines or airport can be more than just a nuisance – at least one in five people in the EU is exposed to a level of traffic noise that is considered harmful to health.
In the figure below (click for further details) are the estimates for the effects of long-term exposure to unhealthy noise levels.
Noise levels from transport sources are generally too low to cause biological damage to the ear. However, research shows that prolonged exposure to noise above certain levels can trigger physiological and psychological stress responses, including the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as increased feelings of anxiety and irritability. Stress associated with noise can affect both physical and mental well-being, affecting sleep quality, concentration, performance, learning ability and overall quality of life.
Due to the negative impact of noise on a large part of Europe's population, environmental noise has become a significant problem for citizens and politicians. Reducing noise has therefore become a central goal under the EU's action plan for zero pollution and the directive on environmental noise (Environmental Noise Directive - END).
Research and development in acoustics and noise reduction play an important role in the remedy:
In order to achieve sustainable urbanization, it is therefore necessary to integrate noise reduction strategies into urban planning and development in order to create a healthy and viable society in the long term. This may include the use of noise barriers, acoustic design of the urban area, limiting traffic and industry in residential areas, using sound-absorbing building materials, etc. – to reduce noise nuisance and improve the quality of life for city residents.
The EU has adopted a directive on the mapping and management of external noise. This noise directive obliges the member states to carry out noise mapping and action plans are drawn up to prevent and reduce external noise from road traffic, larger urban areas with more than 100.000 inhabitants, railways, aircraft and industrial plants. In Denmark, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Reference Laboratory (Force Technology) have carried out a central noise mapping which can be viewed The Noise-Danmarkskortet. Many municipalities and traffic authorities must continuously map the noise and prepare a noise action plan every 5 years - see these noise action plans here.
Danish Sound Cluster facilitates a number of activities for partners and members who work in the area with a view to further innovation. We would like to hear from you and your company/organisation in relation to new projects and initiatives.
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