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Air and noise pollution remain ever-growing problems, experts say

Around 75 million residents within EU are exposed to road traffic noise, causing an estimated 10,000 cases of premature deaths every year. Air pollution is responsible for about half a million of premature death each year within Europe.

There are many benefits to living in an urban area, but also drawbacks. Urban residents are often exposed to harmful levels of noise and air pollution resulting in lower life quality, and in the long-term loss of lives. Although air quality in Europe has improved over the past 20 years, the rate of reduction of harmful substances in the air has decreased in recent years.

Approximately 75 million residents of European urban areas are exposed to noise levels exceeding those recommended by WHO. According to the European Environmental Agency, road traffic noise exposure in Europe may result in 43,000 cases of heart disease and 10,000 cases of premature death every year. Air pollution is estimated to cause half a million premature deaths each year in Europe; being one of the major causes to reduced life time. Further urbanisation and climate change may cause increased pollution in coming years.

In a new Sweco Urban Insight report Wholesome Air, Serene Cities - Reduced Noise and Air Pollution in Urban Areas, Kenneth Grenaa Lillelund, expert in infrastructure noise and urban planning at Sweco, concludes that solving noise and air pollution problems requires a long-term strategy.

“It is important to identify solutions early in the planning process as a growing population and increased traffic call for new solutions,” he says.

Reducing traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, can decrease both air pollution and noise levels. However, traffic regulation alone is not always sufficient. Designated and protected calm areas have beneficial health effects. Other tools to use are noise insulation for buildings, noise screens, soundproof windows and low-noise asphalt as well as mechanical ventilation in buildings, with controlled air intake and/or combined with effective filters.

Urban Insight is based on a series of insight reports written by Sweco experts on various aspects of urban development from a citizen perspective. Click here to download Wholesome Air, Serene Cities - Reduced Noise and Air Pollution in Urban Areas

If you would like to contact Andy Walker about this, or any other story, please email awalker@infrastructure-intelligence.com.