With the warning noise kills, more than 2,600 associations and national bodies began to mobilize in an awareness effort. Public administrations face obligations to comply with laws and decisions addressing noise pollution, as the situation in Spain continues to worsen every year.
The campaign highlights the harmful effects of noise and the need for solutions. A statement issued by the Federation of Associations Against Noise, the State Confederation of Neighborhood Associations, the Spanish Acoustic Association, the Association of Lawyers Against Noise, and the Federation against noise pollution notes that multiple activities were launched and posters were distributed to defend historical heritage.
The core message was that noise is more than a mere annoyance. It is essential to inform the public about the harm exposure to noise can cause, as it can significantly reduce quality of life and infringe on basic rights of those exposed, to the point of being life threatening.
500 deaths a year in Madrid
In the Community of Madrid, traffic noise appears linked to emergency mental health hospitalizations across all age groups, with around 6,000 emergency admissions and nearly 500 deaths annually.
Air travel represents another major noise source in many cities, contributing to the overall impact on residents.
These figures are rising rapidly across the country. The issue is compounded by other everyday noise sources and sound emitters that people experience, linking to problems such as dementia, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, depression, and increased absenteeism from work and school.
Public health authorities highlight a warning from the World Health Organization that more than a billion young people worldwide face a risk of hearing loss due to noise exposure.
For these reasons, organizations participating in the campaign on April 26, International Noise Awareness Day urge public authorities to take further measures to protect citizens rights, health, and the sanctity of homes. This includes promoting concrete declarations by corporations on the issue of noise pollution.
The central event proposed for the day is to hold a 60 second moment of silence at 12:00 in a major public space in every city. After a keynote talk about listening to and becoming aware of environmental noise, the campaign’s manifesto for this year will be read aloud.
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