Some 78% of Ile-de-France residents are concerned about noise, an increased sensitivity since the health crisis, and 65% have already given up a place to eat because of noise, studies published on Thursday January 12 reveal on the occasion of the Week of the Sound of Unesco, from January 16 to 29.
“
Noise is a sound that we do not want and which can generate violence.
Unlike the 19th century, the noise of cities today is never empty ," Christian Hugonnet, president of the "
La Semaine du son
" association, which raises awareness of the importance of the sound environment
, told the press .
.
Fourth major disadvantage of living in Île-de-France
According to a study by Crédoc (Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions) for BruitParif carried out at the end of 2021 unveiled on Thursday, 78% of Ile-de-France residents are concerned about noise, cited as the fourth major inconvenience of living in Ile-de-France, almost on a par with air pollution.
Among the sources of noise that bother the most at home, 30% of respondents cite road traffic and 25% the neighbourhood.
The health crisis and the experience of calm during confinement have also greatly changed the population's relationship to noise.
“
The sensitivity is stronger than before.
Ile-de-France residents think that the noise has increased when we know from our measurements that there is no overall increase
, ”said Fanny Mietlicki, director of the Ile-de-France observatory Bruitparif.
Read also“We must strengthen public policies against the harmful effects of noise”
Direct impacts
According to her, the noise exposure of Ile-de-France residents "
represents on average one year of life in good health lost
".
Among the consequences, 14% of Ile-de-France residents say they take medication to help them cope with noise and 39% feel a direct impact on their health (fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances).
According to a second study carried out at the end of November by OpinionWay on noise in cafes, bars and restaurants, 65% of respondents say they have already given up on a place to eat because of noise.
In addition, 46% of regular Ile-de-France teleworkers face difficulties working from home.
Another finding is that the quality of the sound environment and access to quiet areas vary greatly according to income.
Valuing quiet space initiatives
The Ademe (Energy Transition Agency) estimates the health and economic consequences of noise at around 145 billion euros per year in France, including 42 billion for Ile-de-France alone.
Labels should be created to promote the initiatives of calm spaces or “
peaceful moments
” taken by communities and private companies.
