Impacts of noise
Noise is an unwanted noise that is unpleasant, disturbing, unexpected or harmful to hearing. The extent of the nuisance caused by noise is influenced by, for example,
- sound characteristics such as volume, frequency, narrowband and impulse
- time and place of exposure
- individual characteristics such as noise sensitivity and attitude towards the sound source.
- Noise hazards and how the noise situation can be affected
Environmental noise is often perceived as disturbing, and it is perceived as impairing the comfort of the living environment. However, noise also has more serious impacts, such as
- inducing a stress reaction in the body
- disturbing sleep
- increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- undermining mental well-being.
Exposure to traffic noise can be reduced, for example, by
- keeping the windows closed
- changing the room order so that the bedroom is as far away from the street and road as possible
- by choosing a route that is as quiet as possible when walking or cycling
- reducing traffic noise, for example by choosing a vehicle with lower noise emissions and quieter tyres, observing speed limits and using public transport instead of a car.
If you feel that noise is harmful, you can contact regional environmental protection services or environmental health care for further advice. The municipal engineering planning of the City is responsible for planning the prevention of traffic noise in the street network and the ELY Centre for public roads.
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The noise exposure of residents is assessed on the basis of noise levels on the facades of residential buildings. The numbers of people living in different noise zones have been collected from the calculation results, when the number of residents in the buildings was known.
When examining the number of people exposed to noise, it should be noted that those exposed to noise in the forecast situation 2035 have been calculated from the current road and street network and current resident data, and the calculation does not take into account new residential buildings to be built and the number of people living in them. Thus, the increase in the number of residents exposed to noise is in practice due to the increase in traffic volumes on the current street and road network.
Residents living in a noise zone are those who live in a noise zone of over 55 dB during the day (7:00 to 22:00) and those who live in a noise zone over 50 dB at night (22:00 to 7:00).
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In connection with the EU noise report of Kuopio, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) carried out an assessment of the health and well-being impacts of road and rail traffic noise. The study was carried out together with the City of Jyväskylä. The report examines
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- the impact of environmental noise on health and well-being in general
- the importance of different factors in assessing noise risks to health
- health and well-being impacts of road and rail traffic noise
- national economic costs caused by noise exposure
The report (pdf) discusses exposure to noise and the health and well-being impacts of noise exposure as well as the national economic costs caused by them in Kuopio and Jyväskylä.
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Mikko Sokura
environmental inspector
Essi Holopainen
environmental inspector