November 11, 2007
SICK to death of noisy neighbours? Researchers have linked chronic noise to sleep disorders, learning difficulties and high blood pressure.
Griffith University School of Environment lecturer Deanna Tomerini said it was clear from the Environmental Health Council of Australia study that "unwanted sound" was as detrimental to public health as air and water pollution, and that the problem was growing."Higher-density living, population growth, the increase in road and air traffic – it's evident noise problems are increasing. More people are being affected by noise," she said.
Ms Tomerini warned that governments could expect health problems to increase as noise problems worsened.
"Noise should be given the same priority as any other health issue," she said.
"Noise just has to be up there at the same level. We need to identify the extent of the problem now. Many of the things to be done to prevent noise need to be done at the planning stage."
Inner-city resident Marion Brown, 59, said there was no doubt her health had suffered after two years of enduring the "neighbours from hell" ...
"It's got to the point where I've been so tired from being unable to sleep because of their noise, I've slept in the car," she said. "I didn't want to sell, but I felt like I had no other choice." ...
Ms Tomerini said it would be helpful to have a more integrated approach, including a single agency to receive complaints.
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