- Air Quality
- Increased Noise
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Transport, environment and health ©World Health Organization 2000
Transport noise: a pervasive and underestimated ambient stressor.
"The health effects of noise.
Good evidence shows the adverse effects of noise on communication, school performance, sleep and temper, as well as cardiovascular effects and hearing
impairment."
impairment."
"Policy considerations
All measures taken to abate noise and reduce exposure and related health effects need to consider the following dimensions:
• specific environments where people function, such
as schools, playgrounds, homes and hospitals, all
of which have special and somewhat different requirements
for noise limits that vary with time
(night, weekends, holidays and evenings are particularly
sensitive periods in some environments);
• environments with multiple noise sources or with
conditions that amplify the effects of noise, which
require land-use and transport planning to be carried
out with special care; and
• groups at high risk of health effects from transport
noise, such as children and people who are
elderly, hearing impaired or ill."
"Serious health impact of air pollution generated from traffic
Direct link between proximity to heavy traffic and ill health
A number of studies have recently shown an association between respiratory disease and proximity to roads that are busy and those travelled by a high
number of heavy vehicles or trucks (46). Children living near roads with heavy vehicle traffic are at greater risk of respiratory disease. Most studies suggest
an increased risk of around 50%. These studies may have captured the effects of actual mixtures of pollutants and they strengthen the case for traffic generated air pollutants’ affecting health."
number of heavy vehicles or trucks (46). Children living near roads with heavy vehicle traffic are at greater risk of respiratory disease. Most studies suggest
an increased risk of around 50%. These studies may have captured the effects of actual mixtures of pollutants and they strengthen the case for traffic generated air pollutants’ affecting health."
"Policy implications
The magnitude and seriousness of the health effects of air pollution, a significant part of which can be attributed to traffic, call for further reductions in traffic-related emissions of air pollution."
Air Quality - Environmental Audit Committee
Sources of pollution
"2. Industry and road transport are the main sources of air pollution, though domestic combustion and agriculture are also to blame. Industry is a major source of emissions of NOX (46%) and PM10 (36%). Road transport contributes to significant emissions of NO2 (30%) and PM10 (18%). Emissions and exposure vary greatly depending on location. Although polluting, the majority of large combustion plants are located away from major urban centres. Road transport contributes far more to the public's exposure to pollutants and is responsible for up to 70% of air pollution in urban areas." Read More
Link to full report READ MORE
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Air Quality - Environmental Audit Committee
Sources of pollution
"2. Industry and road transport are the main sources of air pollution, though domestic combustion and agriculture are also to blame. Industry is a major source of emissions of NOX (46%) and PM10 (36%). Road transport contributes to significant emissions of NO2 (30%) and PM10 (18%). Emissions and exposure vary greatly depending on location. Although polluting, the majority of large combustion plants are located away from major urban centres. Road transport contributes far more to the public's exposure to pollutants and is responsible for up to 70% of air pollution in urban areas." Read More
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