Effect of noise pollution discussed by House, thousands suffer

The quality of life of thousands of Nicosia and Limassol residents is affected by environmental noise both day and night, MPs heard on Wednesday.

The House environment committee discussed a bill on environmental noise that will harmonise national legislation with that of the EU.

The bill seeks to define common methods of evaluating the impact of road and aerial traffic on human health.

It introduces mathematical equations to assess three harmful effects on health with the first being ischemic heart disease – narrowed arteries – followed by annoyance and sleep disturbance.

Akel MP Nicos Kettiros said the data they heard raised concern among MPs.

The committee had asked the environment department to measure the effects of environmental noise on people’s quality of life. The data provided on Wednesday concerned Limassol and Nicosia.

Around 15,500 people were affected during the day and 18,000 at night in the district of Nicosia while the respective figures for Limassol were 11,500 and 14,000, Kettiros said.

“I must tell you that we understand the reactions and concerns of the people who live in areas neighbouring airports, ports and motorways,” he said.

Ruling Disy MP Prodromos Alambritis said measures had to be put in place to alleviate the problem.

“We think that through the legislation … the experts will be given the tools to implement solutions,” he said.