Over 100 Million Europeans Exposed to Harmful Noise Pollution, EEA Warns

Over 100 Million Europeans Exposed to Harmful Noise Pollution, EEA Warns
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More than 110 million people across Europe are exposed to harmful levels of noise pollution, causing serious health impacts, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The agency found that noise from road traffic, railways, and aircraft leads to 66,000 premature deaths annually and contributes to widespread cases of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and sleep disorders.

The report highlights that 20% of residents in the European Economic Area are regularly affected by transport noise. In the UK, separate data using a lower threshold for harmful noise estimated 40% of the population is exposed. Children are particularly vulnerable, with 15 million living in areas where noise levels exceed health safety limits.

The EEA noted that the health impact of noise pollution may be underestimated. Applying the World Health Organization’s stricter criteria would increase the number of affected individuals to 150 million. The economic cost of this exposure is estimated at nearly €100 billion per year.

Noise pollution keeps the human body in a chronic state of stress, potentially leading to inflammation, cognitive impairment in children, and long-term health conditions. Despite EU targets to reduce chronic transport noise exposure by 30% by 2030, progress remains slow, with only a 3% reduction recorded between 2017 and 2022.

Mitigation strategies include reducing urban speed limits, using quieter tyres, improving public transport, and adopting quieter aircraft and rail systems. The EEA urged immediate action, warning that noise remains an underestimated public health risk across Europe.