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Noise

Introduction

Sound is caused by the pressure fluctuations in the air which are received by the ear and interpreted by the brain. If the sound is unwanted it becomes noise.

Typical Noise Levels

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A logarithmic scale is used. This means that an increase of 10 decibels represents a doubling in loudness. The ear is also sensitive to frequency of sound i.e. the number of cycles per second. An idea of typical noise levels are shown as the Noise Scale.

The danger levels for peoples hearing is also dependant on the length of exposure to any level of noise. Constant noise in the danger area of the graph can cause tinitus (ringing in the ears), whereas a short burst of noise at a very loud level can cause hearing damage.

Noise Complaints

The County's district/borough councils receive noise complaints from the public These are investigated by Environmental Health Officers to assess the type and level of noise pollution. If a complaint is upheld, and cannot be resolved amicably, a noise notice may be issued. The ultimate sanction is a noise prosecution, but generally this only used as a last resort.

Each noise complaint is recorded and categorised by the district/borough councils. The main reasons for complaint are shown below.

As can be seen, the largest proportion of all complaints relating to noise are due to domestic disturbances.

These can vary from loud music to dogs barking.

Industrial and commercial noise complaints were another major category. Reasons for these vary from noisy late night food establishments in towns to general noise from industrial parks.

The "other" category covers many types of noise complaint and is wide ranging due to the varying detail in recording methods of the individual district/borough councils. It encompasses construction, transport, car alarms, rail noise and many others.

Aircraft Noise

Hertfordshire has no major airports within its boundaries, but is directly affected by air traffic from the two large airports at Stansted and Luton. The responsibility for recording and dealing with aircraft noise complaints now rests with the airport companies of Luton and Stansted. People adjacent to these sites or under the main flight paths are most disturbed and are more likely to make complaints to their local district/borough council or directly to the airport concerned. The airports use a noise and track keeping system to monitor aircraft take off noise and can fine airlines breaching set noise limits.

In Hertfordshire in 1996 there were 5171 noise complaints registered at Luton and Stansted airport. (This figure includes 4139 complaints sent by two people in the County). Most of these complaints were for take-off noise, but some were for taxiing, night flights and servicing of aircraft.

For further information contact: Your local Borough or District Council. - Environmental Health Department