Noise abatement
The aim of noise abatement is a healthy and pleasant low-noise living environment. In some areas it is desirable to preserve natural silence.
Many extensive areas of Finland are still free of noise. But even so, about a sixth of the population live in areas where daily noise levels exceed the recommended target of 55 decibels. The Finnish Government resolution on noise abatement (2006) aims to significantly reduce environmental noise levels and exposure to noise by 2020:
- The target is that at least 20% fewer people than in 2003 will live in areas where daytime noise levels exceed 55 decibels.
- Noise abatement measures will initially focus on residential areas where average daytime noise levels exceed 65 decibels, and other areas where large numbers of people are exposed to noise.
Numbers of people exposed to noise of different types
|
Source of noise
|
Residents exposed
|
Minimum level
of exposure
|
|
Road traffic
|
315 500-384 500
|
LAeq > 55 dB
|
|
Street traffic
|
393 500-430 000
|
LAeq > 55 dB
|
|
Civil air traffic
|
13 400-13 600
|
LAeq > 55 dB
|
|
Military air traffic
|
10 300-10 500
|
LAeq > 55 dB
|
|
Rail traffic
|
43 500-53 000
|
LAeq > 55 dB (daytime) or
LAeq > 50 dB (night)
|
|
Shipping and ports
|
100-500
|
LAeq > 55 dB
|
|
Industry
|
4 000-6 000
|
LAeq > 55 dB (daytime) or
LAeq > 50 dB (night)
|
|
Civil shooting ranges
|
2,000-4,000
|
LAlmax > 65 dB
|
|
Motor sports circuits
|
2 000-3 000
|
LAeq > 55 dB
|
|
Total
|
728 000-908 000
|
|
Source: Altistuminen ympäristömelulle Suomessa - Tilannekatsaus
2005 (Exposure to Noise in Finland - Situation 2005). Noise reports in accordance with the Directive on Environmental Noise
Finland’s first national set of noise reports in accordance with the Directive on Environmental Noise were compiled in July 2007. Who's who in noise abatement
- The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for directing, supervising and promoting noise abatement measures related to environmental noise.
- Indoor noise abatement is the responsibility of the national health authorities, and noise levels in workplaces are controlled by the labour protection authorities.
- The regional environmental centres oversee their local municipalities’ noise abatement work.
- Municipalities monitor the state of the environment at local level, and act to reduce noise problems as necessary.
- Businesses are obliged to be fully aware of the environmental impacts of their activities, including noise.
- The Finnish Road Administration, Rail Administration and Finavia are to draft an action plan for noise abatement.
- The Finnish Defence Forces will study noise levels around military facilities and arrange the necessary noise abatement measures.
Brochure
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