A new website has just been launched to collect data on noise complaints in Ireland. To date, any of the information that is collected is done so by local authorities or country councils, making it sporadic and inconsistent when it comes to understanding noise ‘hot-sots’ and the main causes of noise disturbances within the nation as a whole.
The issue of noise pollution is gaining awareness in Ireland, particularly in relation to the direct effect it has on health.
Research has shown noise pollution such as road traffic and aircraft noise can increase the risk of high blood pressure and put victims at risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The effects of noise disturbance on health varies to that of air pollution, which brings on asthma, inflammation and other respiratory diseases, whereas as noise exposure can increase stress levels and have a more physiological effect.
This new website provides an online portal where people can log a noise complaint. It aims to gather information from the country as a whole. The website will publish its findings every 6 months to help raise awareness on environmental noise issues and what categories contribute the most, for example traffic noise, rail, road, aircraft noise, noisy neighbours, barking dogs and windfarms to name a few.
The information compiled will generate a profile for environmental noise complaints to raise awareness on noise pollution for governmental departments, local authorities and enforcement agencies, to encourage them to take action.
