🔊The United Nations Environmental Program devoted Chapter 1 of its 2022 ‘Frontiers’ report on emerging ecological issues to #noisepollution in cities as a growing hazard to #publichealth. ⁦@RhodeIslandDEM ⁦@RIHealth @EnvCouncil_RI⁩ @ecoRInews⁩ unep.org/resources/fron… The World Health Organization designated #noise as the second largest environmental health threat after #airpollution. It is associated with chronic stress, #sleepdeprivation, high blood-pressure, greater risk of diabetes, and #mentalhealth issues such as anxiety and #depression.

“Over one-third of all 311 calls in the first quarter of 2023 were #noise-related, according to a report released by NY City Councilmember @KeithPowersNYC, who represents the extra loud neighborhoods of Midtown and its surrounding areas.” @PVDCityCouncil gothamist.com/news/nyc-counc… The NYC City Council is planning to introduce seven(!) bills aimed at reducing #noisepollution, “including enforcement actions against the most clamorous violators.”

Wait, what?! A city council that ACTS in response to residents being assaulted by illegal #noise? @PVDCityCouncil

“Nearly 500 #noise complaints were logged in the @CityofProv [311] system last year. Businesses and loud homeowners caused the vast majority of complaints. When it comes to enforcement, will @PVDMayor Smiley's quality-of-life focus put a damper on noise?” providencejournal.com/story/news/loc… “Loud nightclubs, crack-of-dawn garbage pickups, raucous neighbors, and roaring motorcycles are some of the reasons Providence locals dial 311, the city services number dedicated to fielding an array of quality-of-life grievances that has become a hotline for #noise complaints.”

"A growing body of research shows that chronic #noise ... is not just annoying. It is a largely unrecognized health threat that is increasing the risk of #hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks worldwide — including for more than 100 million Americans." nytimes.com/interactive/20… “Anyone who lives in a noisy environment, like neighborhoods near a Brooklyn highway, may feel they have adapted to the cacophony. But data shows the opposite: Prior #noise exposure primes the body to over-react, amplifying the negative effects.” #trauma nytimes.com/interactive/20…

“The most annoying sounds are typically associated with transport — aviation, road traffic, railways — and living in urban areas ... entertainment, neighbors, and new sources such as heatpumps or mechanical ventilation #noise in heavily insulated houses.” irishtimes.com/health/2023/03… “The levels we are talking about when we look at #noise and health are much lower than occupational noise levels [in industrial jobs], and lower than levels that have effects on hearing.”
— Anna Hansell, professor of environmental epidemiology at Britain's University of Leicester

Washington DC City Council member @CMBrookePinto introduced the 2023 Vehicular #Noise Reduction Act to create a #noisecamera pilot program, subsidies for vehicle-repair costs, and a study on how to reduce #vehicularnoise⏳ @pvdcitycouncil ⁦@JohnGPVD⁩ lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B2… “The #VehicularNoise Reduction Act would create a two-year pilot program to use a combination of #noise-detection devices, video cameras, and automated ticketing to hopefully cut down on vehicles with purposely loud or bad mufflers on DC roads.” @PVDMayor dcist.com/story/23/01/19…

“The honking of horns and revving of engines doesn’t just affect those in the vehicles — it can also raise the #bloodpressure of people living near the road.” #trafficnoise #noisekills @CityofProv @PVDMayor @PVDCityCouncil @HealthyPVD @Brown_SPH @RIHealth cnn.com/2023/03/22/hea… “Previous research had shown a connection between road #trafficnoise and an increased risk of #hypertension (#highbloodpressure), but it was still unclear whether it was the #noise or the pollution from the traffic that was the cause. Now, researchers say they have the evidence.”

Latina resident: “It’s frustrating feeling as though #SouthPVD isn’t getting the help it needs so residents can enjoy a decent quality of life. The ongoing noise from Mi Sueño and neighbors who blast their music excessively is taking a toll on my health.” providencenoiseproject.org/testimonials/ “The bar called ‘Syn’ on Spruce Street has been a repeated, major #noise offender for sometime now and the city should [conduct] strict noise enforcement there”
— Federal Hill resident @Dylan2DC @RachelRI @CouncilHelen @CityofProv @PVDCityCouncil @PVDMayor providencenoiseproject.org/testimonials/