How to handle noise pollution

Is noise making you miserable? Linda Bird examines the hazards of excess sound and looks at ways of achieving a quieter life.

---

Noisy cities

A degree of noise is to be expected in a metropolis such as London.

After all, when you speak of a place having a 'buzzing atmosphere', you are partly describing the sound that emanates from all that activity. But often the noise reaches intolerable levels - just consider the everyday cacophony of car alarms, sirens, burglar alarms, the thrum of traffic, bass-heavy car stereos, loud music and TV spilling from homes, aeroplanes overhead, arguing neighbours and rowdy children. Studies from Sheffield University have found that Britain's cities are up to 10 times noisier than they were just a decade ago.

Noise has a detrimental effect on quality of life. According to the Noise Abatement Society (noiseabatementsociety.com) each year 500,000 people in the UK move home because of noise. And research by the Halifax shows that 64% of homeowners have had at least one dispute with neighbours over noise.

Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise has been linked to stress, high-blood pressure, sleep loss, lack of concentration and reduced mental performance as well as poor digestion. What's more, noise above 80 decibels (dB) has been linked to increase in aggressive behaviour and experts draw a link between community noise and mental health problems.

So what can you do to your life if noise is making it a misery?

The sound of silence

Apparently 2.5 million of us live in homes with poor sound insulation. Improving the soundproofing around your home can be very effective. Noise reduction experts at NoiseNet (noisenet.org, 01695 420752) suggest a number of remedies. Upgrading windows, repairing cracks or gaps in existing glazing, or installing secondary glazing can reduce traffic noise by about 35 dB. 'Sound masking' measures such as bland, broad-band sounds, including fan heaters, air conditioning or water-features can help mitigate the effects of noise. Opting for carpeting instead of bare flooring can significantly reduce foot traffic noise. And floor-to-ceiling wardrobes will reduce noise as the clothes act as noise insulation. You may also try erecting a secondary leaf (a wall in front of the existing wall) and insulating the cavity with glass fibre insulating material or mineral wool.

Call out the noise police

Get advice from DEFRA to combat noise pollution at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise or find out the level of noise pollution in your current or future neighbourhood at londonnoisemap.com.

The first approach to noisy neighbours should be diplomatic: explain the problem calmly and clearly and try to resolve the situation amicably. If that doesn't work, try involving a third party to act as mediator. Call Mediation UK on 01179 046661 for local services.

If this approach also fails, contact your local environmental health office. . They will do a reading of the noise levels. If it's judged to be a statutory nuisance, an abatement notice will be served. This may demand that the noise stop altogether or that it only happen at certain times of the day. If noise continues after the abatement notice has been served, it is considered an offence and the police will be brought in.

Sleep aids

According to Sammy Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide (Vermilion £9.99), 'Sounds louder than 45 dB can wake you up (that's the same as someone talking quietly) - but even sounds as low as 20 dB can stop you falling asleep. Running a fan or a "white noise" maker can help drown out sounds from outdoors.' Find a CD from www.purewhitenoise.com or try a machine such as The Marsona 1288 programmable sound conditioner, available from www.justnaturalstuff.co.uk.