Rouens. This map shows noise, the other pollution plaguing the metropolis
By Mathieu Normand
Published on
We would almost forget it, it is so deeply rooted in our daily lives, yet the noise pollution is the second environmental factor causing the most health damage in Europe, according to the World Health Organization. This heavy impact justified the introduction of regulations forcing territories to implement measures.
The Metropolis of Rouen (Seine Maritime) has acquired a specific cartography in 2021 before adopting a environmental noise prevention plan (PPBE) in January 2022. These documents make it possible to assess theimpact of road, rail and industrial noise on the territory, while proposing measures to respond to them.
Hundreds of thousands of residents affected
Within this very specific perimeter, which does not concern all noise, road traffic proves to be the most impactful source for the inhabitants. 282,859 people, i.e. more than half of the inhabitants of metropolitan France, experienced hearing damage ranging from 55db to the regulatory limit value during the measurements carried out to establish the mapping. 19,500 inhabitants were affected by traffic noise above the limit value of 68 db.
By way of comparison, these nuisances respecting the regulatory framework affect 76,309 people for railway noise and 6,300 for industrial noise. “Just by the conclusions of the PPBE, we have a lot of work”, assures the vice-president in charge of ecological transitions and innovations, Marie Atinault.
There were a number of exceedances of regulatory thresholds in four areas related to rail infrastructure and 37 related to road infrastructure.
They are concentrated in the sectors of Rouen, Elbeuf and Malaunay mainly.
Almost no regulatory overruns are observed for industrial noise, except at night with a hundred people impacted by nuisances exceeding 60db. This is explained by the respect of the standards by the sites and their regular control by the Dreal.
Direct and indirect control measures
This noise pollution has serious consequences with effects in particular on hearing, mental health, social behavior and attitudes, sleep, endocrine, cardiovascular or even immune disorders. They also impact biodiversity. Their social cost occurred annually in France at 147.1 billion euros by a recent study by Ademe.
To fight against noise, the Métropole is counting on a series of measures such as reducing road traffic, preserving quiet areas, repairing roads, working on delivery schedules, calming traffic in the city center , the modal ratios. “We are also studying the possibility of creating heavier infrastructures, such as acoustic screens, but we cannot partition the inhabitants behind walls”, indicates Marie Atinault.
The renaturation plan, the renewal of the vehicle fleet or the renovation of buildings also have significant effects on noise emissions. “When you renovate your house or a building by insulating it, you protect it inhibited from noise, recalls the elected official. The Métropole is re-establishing its public energy renovation service and relaunching its active support for individuals. Another support on the behavioral level remains, according to her, the one where there would be the most to do.
A new plan in 2023
The elected official ensures that for her team the issue represented by noise pollution is “decisive for the future of our cities”. “The fight against greenhouse gas emissions is the most urgent and most important on a local scale, as well as on a global scale,” she underlines. But noise pollution remains extremely high and our inhabitants are waiting on this point. »
Neighborhood noises
Daily noise pollution also includes neighborhood noise, ie behavioral noise characterized by a thing, person or animal, activity noise and construction site noise. These three categories are each subject to specific regulations and sometimes locally to prefectural orders.
The public health code determines the criteria for assessing whether noise affects the tranquility of the neighborhood or human health. The sanction for a company found liable by a judge can range from the payment of damages to the victims to a criminal sanction in the event of an infringement.
In addition to the “regularly used noise measurements”, the community is already working, due to changes in the regulations, on a new map and a new PPBE. “Measurements were made for this last spring. With all the limits that the exercise entails, in particular instantaneous measurements and fairly low public participation, this work should be finalized by May 2023 and be accompanied by a renewed roadmap.
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