On Green Thursday, Czechs commemorate Anti-noise Day

Prague - On Maundy Thursday, when according to Catholic popular piety the bells fly to Rome, the Czechs will join the International Noise Awareness Day. The day of noise awareness is meant to appeal to the public to realize the noisy environment in which they live. Jan Stěnička from the Music and Environmental Association Hudekos, part of the Czech Music Society, said this today to ČTK.
     "There is one type of noise that can be turned off, but it is often commercially exploited. It is loud music. At home, in the car, and especially in public, we should push for this day to be known as: 'We have the right to silence,'" Stěnička pointed out. Only when noise is limited will people realize what it means and begin to value music and silence, he added.
    Members of the association include musicians, acoustics, doctors, teachers, and psychologists. They write articles, give lectures, participate in discussions about noise, help educators, and provide prompts for reflection on the idea that "silence heals." They also strive to raise awareness about the effects of noise on the population and the dangers of the constant increase in so-called acoustic smog.
    According to the World Health Organization and domestic hygienists, noise outside homes should not exceed an average of 55 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night. Noise at an intensity of around 70 decibels hinders understanding of speech, and noise at even higher intensities can cause temporary or even permanent hearing damage.
    One of the biggest sources of noise is transportation. Last August, for instance, the European Commission proposed taxing cars for noise and traffic jams, although the legislation only applies to vehicles over 3.5 tons. Member states were, however, unable to agree on a directive known as the Eurovignette which considers charging for environmental impacts.
    In the Czech Republic, it is estimated that up to 100,000 people are exposed to high noise levels, with the worst situation in the capital city. Approximately half a million residents are affected by excessive noise in the country. According to official studies of noise maps, nearly 300,000 people are disturbed from sleep by noise exceeding 60 decibels. For example, in Prague, the main road in Legerova Street was narrowed to reduce noise and harmful substances. However, the construction of measures to calm the traffic on 5th May Street had to be postponed for some time due to legal delays.
    Excessive noise can also be emitted by portable music players. It is estimated that in the European Union, between 50 million and 100 million people listen to music daily from these devices. The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) warned in the fall that permanent hearing loss is a risk for between 2.5 million to ten million people.
    Currently, European standards limit the noise level from music players to 100 decibels. Hearing loss is at risk even when a person regularly listens to music louder than 89 decibels for more than an hour a day. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 280 million people worldwide live with moderate to severe hearing impairment, and this number continues to rise.