Impact of noise pollution on our environment and health in Flanders

Hearing loss in young people that is resulting from too loud music at festivals, controversy on noise nuisance from kindergartens and playing children, sound pollution from airplanes. Our media and policy makers pay attention to it, but in a rather fragmented manner.

In this study, the IST therefore places this and other cases of noise pollution together in a broader framework.
The IST investigates the impact of noise pollution on our environment and public health in Flanders and the corresponding social controversy and debate. Before, the institute has conducted similar research into cell phone radiation and fine dust.

The final report and the accompanying dossier (scheduled for 2011) describe different sound sources and various type of exposure. The IST intends to draw up a state of the art report on the existing legislation and research, in order for possible gaps and special points of interest to become apparent. In addition to this, the IST looks into the question whether certain cases ask for a participatory process or not.