From hearing loss to anxiety, the consequences of noise pollution

Tirana and Shkodra lead the cities with the greatest noise pollution in the country. This is the latest report of the National Environment Agency, according to which these cities exceed the European Union standards for noise pollution. Located in one of the hotspots at the intersection of Elbasan road in the capital, Environmental expert Arion Sauku told "Our Day", the areas with the highest noise pollution, its causes and consequences. He called on citizens to perform periodic noise pollution measurements through an application that they can download for free on their phones.

"From the measurements, Tirana leads in terms of noise. Through a free application, we can measure the acoustic pollution. We should mention the EU standards which are 55 decibels during the day and 45 at night. At the Elbasan Street intersection, it is 66-71 decibels. It is 20 decibels above the norm. This is an instrument for citizens who can complain and refer it to the responsible institutions. December 21, Rruga e Elbasani, the small ring, located near the center, are the areas with the greatest noise pollution".  

The causes of noise pollution, in addition to traffic, according to the environmental expert, are also construction sites, bars and restaurants that do not respect the norms.

"Besides the traffic, the second is the construction sites that do not respect the norms and the bars and restaurants that operate during the late hours and are on the first floors of the buildings."

From hearing loss to anxiety, these are some of the consequences caused by noise pollution, the expert emphasizes.

"Acoustic pollution is ranked as the second problem in terms of health. The first is air pollution and the second is noise pollution. In humans, there is loss of concentration, loss of hearing, mental stress and anxiety."

He emphasizes that the Ministry of Environment and Municipalities are responsible for reducing noise pollution.

"The responsibility lies with the Ministry of Environment, they must make periodic measurements of noise pollution and policies are undertaken to reduce pollution. Municipalities are also responsible for making the management plan and taking measures". (A2 Televizion)