Effect of COVID-19 on noise pollution change in Dublin, Ireland

TL;DR

This study examines how COVID-19 lockdown measures in Dublin, Ireland, led to significant reductions in noise pollution levels, highlighting the impact of traffic on urban noise.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence of noise pollution decrease during lockdown, using data from multiple monitoring stations in Dublin.

Findings

Over 80% of stations recorded high noise levels before lockdown.

Significant reduction in noise levels was observed during lockdown.

Traffic reduction correlated with decreased noise pollution.

Abstract

Noise pollution is considered to be the third most hazardous pollution after air and water pollution by the World Health Organization (WHO). Short as well as long-term exposure to noise pollution has several adverse effects on humans, ranging from psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, hypertension, hormonal dysfunction, and blood pressure rise leading to cardiovascular disease. One of the major sources of noise pollution is road traffic. The WHO reports that around 40% of Europe's population are currently exposed to high noise levels. This study investigates noise pollution in Dublin, Ireland before and after the lockdown imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis was performed using 2020 hourly data from 12 noise monitoring stations. More than 80% of stations recorded high noise levels for more that 60% of the time before the lockdown in Dublin. However, a significant reduction in average and minimum noise levels was observed at all stations during the lockdown period and this can be attributed to reductions in both road and air traffic movements.