The economic impact of noise pollution
It presents a multi-Trillion-dollar cost yearly cost to global GDP
Noise pollution can have a number of economic impacts. Some of the potential economic impacts of noise pollution include:
Decreased property values: Noise pollution can decrease the value of a property, particularly if it is located near a loud or noisy source. A study found out that "(...) when a house is located in a noisier area it suffers a reduction in its price. This discount is approximately 1.9% per additional decibel" (1).
Increased healthcare costs: Noise pollution can have negative impacts on human health, leading to increased healthcare costs for individuals and for society as a whole.
Lost productivity: Noise pollution can interfere with sleep and concentration, leading to reduced productivity at work or school.
Decreased tourism: Noise pollution can make it less attractive for tourists to visit an area, potentially leading to a loss of tourism revenue.
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"The negative health impact, and other effects of noise pollution on the French population were measured in the study, by le Conseil national du bruit (CNB) and l’Agence de la transition écologique.
The total figure is not only to be as interpreted as an immediate physical cost. It takes into account many factors such as property depreciation, medication and hospitalisation, learning difficulties, direct or indirect links to some illnesses (diabetes, mental health problems, obesity and cardiovascular diseases amongst others), discomfort and sleep disturbances that result into a loss of productivity. A combination of all of these factors leads to a general cost to France and its economy.
It found that noise pollution adversely affects 25million people in France, and is “a major preoccupation for people in France in their daily lives”.
Nine million people in France are exposed to noise at levels over authorized limits.
The study found that 432,000 people in France have taken anti-anxiety drugs and 2,600 people have died from cardiovascular issues provoked by unwanted noise.
It also impacts the economy, leading to extra hospitalisations, time off work and loss of productivity, as well as influencing house prices.
Transport responsible for 68.4% of noise
Transport is a major contributor, with the study finding it responsible for “68.4% of social costs, equivalent to €106.4billion per year”.
Of this, 51.8% of costs are caused by noise pollution due to roads, followed by 9.4% caused by air traffic and 7.2% by railways.
Noisy neighbours (including music, pets and DIY), building sites and work environments such as industrial sites, the service sector, schools and hospitals are also contributors.
Noisy neighbours are thought to cause costs of €26.3billion and building sites €21billion per year."
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Sources:
(1) Zoloa, J. I. (2020). Noise Pollution and Housing Markets. Ensayos de Politica Economica
(2) York, J. (2021, July 23). Noise pollution in France costs € 156 billion per year, study finds. https://www.connexionfrance.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/Noise-pollution-in-France-costs-156billion-per-year-study-finds
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