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In Ireland, noise issues are typically considered across
three categories: neighbourhood noise, environmental
noise, and noise from EPA- and local authority-regulated
sites. Local noise issues, including those from neighbours
and local commercial facilities, represent by far the
largest source of noise complaints in this country, and are
dealt with by local authorities. The EPA, with these local
authorities, is currently developing a standardised national
guidance document to be used in the management of
noise complaints (expected to publish in 2017).
Environmental noise from major infrastructure including
roads, railways and airports is governed by the EU’s
Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC). The preparation
of strategic noise maps is a major task associated with this
directive and this is currently under way in Ireland.
Following completion of the noise maps, the relevant
Action Planning Authorities will prepare noise action
plans. The action plans are designed to act as a means of
managing environmental noise through land use planning,
traffic management and control of noise sources.
Finally, noise issues can arise at facilities regulated by
the EPA and local authorities and, in 2014, 149 noise
complaints were received in relation to EPA-licensed sites,
compared with 143 in 2013. Nearly 80% of all such
complaints related to just five licensed sites. In addition,
just two sectors accounted for 90% of complaints: 64%
related to the food and drink sector and 26% to the non-
hazardous waste transfer stations sector. This information
enables targeted enforcement action to be taken against
priority sites, where additional resources are then focused.
Quiet Areas
It is important to identify and protect quiet areas.
In addition to controlling excess noise, it is also important
to identify and protect those areas which are substantially
unaffected by man-made noise. Accessibility to quietness is
highly important to the health of both wildlife and humans.
This is particularly so in urban environments, leading to the
concept of Relatively Quiet Areas. These are areas, such as
local parks, green and blue areas, which are characterised
by their proximity to areas with high noise levels, and are
valued by the public as a perceived area of tranquillity.
Using both quantitative and qualitative assessments, eight
Relatively Quiet Areas have been designated within Dublin
(Dublin City Council, 2013), and areas in other parts of
Ireland will be identified in consultation with the public.
A recent report from the EEA on quiet areas in Europe
provides a first assessment of potential quiet areas in
Europe’s open country (EEA, 2016a). The key messages
from the report are that noise pollution is having a major
adverse impact on human health across Europe, and that
protecting those areas that are not yet affected by noise
will bring significant health and wellbeing benefits.
Odours
The EPA receives more complaints about odours than
any other environmental issue.
Odours are caused by compounds in the air, and can be
pleasant, such as the smell of baking bread, or foul, such as
the stench from rotting waste. Most of the chemicals that
can cause health problems can be detected by people at
concentrations below the level in air that is toxic to humans.
However, in some cases concentrated odours can cause
health problems including headaches and nausea. In addition,
ongoing exposure to odour, even at very low levels, can bring
on other wellbeing effects such as stress and anxiety.
Although the activities in Ireland that have most potential
to cause odour are regulated, there are nonetheless
ongoing occurrences, with odours representing a
significant source of complaints to the EPA, particularly
related to waste transfer stations, landfills, composting
facilities and rendering plants. The EPA continues to
target facilities that fail to comply with their licences and
hold them responsible for their actions in line with its
enforcement policy.
Over 1,000 air-related complaints were received by the EPA
from the public in 2014 (EPA, 2015b). Odour accounted
for 788 of these, with nearly 70% of them related to just
10 sites. Odour control in parts of the waste management
and food and drinks sectors needs to improve. More recent
data for 2015 shows that these sectors accounted for
approximately 98% of all odour complaints made to the
Figure 8.3
Breakdown of Odour Complaints by
Sector in 2014 (Source: EPA, 2015b)
Non-Hazardous Waste
Transfer Stations
41%
Food & Drink Sector
40%
Landfills
12%
Compost plants
3%
Hazardous Waste
Transfer Stations
2%
Other
2%