Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

65 Chapter 3: Environmental Noise Table 3.3  Number and proportion of the population estimated to be at risk of harmful effects from exposure to road traffic noise in Cork, Dublin and Limerick (preliminary results) Harmful effect Cork Dublin Limerick All roads Major roads All roads Major roads All roads Major roads No. people b % No. people b % No. people b % No. people b % No. people b % No. people b % Highly Annoyed a 17,724 8.08 8,200 3.74 108,380 7.99 62,765 4.63 7,916 7.84 4,331 4.29 Highly Sleep Disturbed a 3,382 1.54 2,075 0.95 28,996 2.14 19,636 1.45 1,387 1.37 1,022 1.01 Ischaemic Heart Disease 17 0.01 8 0 .00 101 0.01 61 0.00 7 0. 01 4 0.00 Total Population 219,287 219,287 1,355,968 1,355,968 101,029 101,029 a Based on WHO guidelines including statistical analysis of noise level bands, in which the noise levels above which health effects begin to occur are > 53 dB L den for highly annoyed and > 45 dB L night for highly sleep disturbed. b For No. people, the numbers are rounded to whole numbers. 4 The new EU common noise assessment method (CNOSSOS-EU) used in round 4 noise mapping calculates noise emissions, propagation and residential population exposure differently from the methods used in previous rounds. As a result, round 4 strategic noise maps are not directly comparable with maps generated under rounds 1-3. Improvements in round 4 noise mapping and action planning While a lot remains to be done to tackle environmental noise, as set out later in this chapter, there have been considerable advances in mapping noise, and determining priority areas, following recommendations made in the previous State of the Environment Report (EPA, 2020) and EPA research projects. This fourth round of noise mapping has seen many improvements: ■ incorporation of the CNOSSOS-EU methodology, including a standardised approach for population exposure estimation 4 ■ revision of the extent of agglomerations (Dublin, Cork and Limerick) ■ industrial noise assessments included in agglomerations ■ all roads within the agglomerations are now modelled ■ a more centralised mapping process. The fourth round of action planning has also delivered many improvements: ■ revision of the priority matrix to include a harmful effects assessment using WHO thresholds and links to the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan ■ a recommended approach for local authorities to follow when determining actions throughout the noise action planning cycle ■ a more centralised and consistent noise action planning process at local authority level. Noise action plans Following the preparation of strategic noise maps, designated action planning authorities, i.e. the relevant local authorities, are required to consult with the noise mapping bodies, the EPA and the public in the preparation of their noise action plans. The primary objective of these action plans is to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, of exposure to environmental noise. Furthermore, the plans must also seek to identify and maintain areas where environmental noise quality is good. Public consultations on the draft noise action plans were underway or just completed for many of the draft plans at the time of writing (August 2024).