What are the WHO guidelines on noise?

Based on the existing scientific evidence, in 2018 the World Health Organization (WHO) published the “Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region”, setting recommendations to protect human health from environmental noise originating from transport (road traffic, railways and aircrafts), wind turbines and leisure activities. The recommendation for noise from road traffic is to reduce the average 24-hours exposure below 53 dB Lden.

These guidelines are considered the gold standard for the protection of human health given the current evidence on the health effects of noise. However, these are not mandatory and remain as recommendations.

For more information, visit: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/noise/publications/2018/environmental-noise-guidelines-for-the-european-region-2018