‘Mapping’ to fight noise pollution
Print Edition
Wu Xianzhou had to call the police because firecrackers that were being set off by his neighbors kept him awake.
“I felt dizzy all day long. Firecrackers woke me at 6am. At 9pm, when I tried to sleep, another round of firecrackers went off,” said Wu, who is in his 70s and lives in Tangshan City in Hebei Province.
Noise pollution is a problem, especially at this time of the year. Setting off firecrackers is a Chinese tradition to celebrate weddings, opening of a new business or moving into a new home. Chinese people tend to arrange wedding ceremonies at the end of the year.
Although cities do not allow firecrackers in the city proper, enforcement is poor. Police usually turn a blind eye.
“People realize the harm caused to their health by the noise. They have complained about it,” said You Jie, a police officer in the city’s Lubei District. You said his police station in Wenhua Road has dealt with nearly 1,000 complaints about firecrackers this year, and issued fines in extreme cases.
Studies show that noise exceeding 85 decibels can cause hearing impairment and harm the heart. Long-term exposure to noise may lead to male infertility or miscarriage.
Loud music in public squares is also a problem. Last month, students from the No. 1 High School of Kailuan in Tangshan City protested against loud music played at Fenghuangshan Park. They wore T-shirts saying “Dear grandpas and grandmas, uncles and aunts, would you please put your music down. We’re having lessons. Bless you. Thank you.”
Authorities in Tangshan, Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, and Guangzhou are considering the idea of a “noise map,” where different areas can have different noise limits. “With the mapping, both complaints and enforcement regarding noise pollution will be better exerted based on regulations,” said You.
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