A store in HCM City plays loud music to attract customers (Photo: doisongphapluat.com) HCM City (VNA) - Noise pollutionin urban areas, mostly caused by traffic, factories and construction sites, hasbecome more severe in recent years, affecting the quality of life.
As the number of cars and motorbikes hasincreased in Ho Chi Minh City, the honking habits of drivers and noise fromvehicles have both contributed to the noise levels.
Loud music from bars, restaurants andstores has also become disruptive, with owners often blasting out promotionalmusic at ear-piercing levels, sometimes to midnight.
Nguyen Thi Thuy, a resident living on DienBien Phu street in HCM City’s District 1, said she had often lost sleep becauseof noise in the neighbourhood.
“I’ve installed soundproof windows andwalls, but they are still useless,” she said.
Nguyen Vinh An, a resident from Binh Thanhdistrict, said dust and noise pollution had affected his son’s ability to studyand his mother’s sleep and health.
According to national standards issued in2010, the noise level limit for special areas like hospitals and schools hasreached a decibel level of 55dBA and 45dBA from 6am-9pm and 9pm-6am,respectively. The figure for residential areas is 70dBA and 55dBA.
In May, HCM City reported that noise ateight traffic points exceeded the national standard, reaching 70-83.5 dBA.
According to the report, people living orworking near noisy places are susceptible to neurological diseases, headaches,difficulty in concentrating, and higher anxiety levels.
Under current regulations, noise pollutionlevels are subject to fines of up to 160 million VND (7,000 USD) forindividuals and 320 million VND (14,000 USD) for organisations.
Violators can also be required to suspendoperations for three months to a year, depending on the severity of theirinfringement.
However, enforcement has been difficult asthe city has more than 8 million registered vehicles, according to Vo KhanhHung, deputy director of the city’s Department of Transport.
Phung Chi Sy, deputy secretary general ofthe Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, said thatowners should schedule periodic maintenance of their vehicles and the cityshould plant more trees.-VNA
As the number of cars and motorbikes hasincreased in Ho Chi Minh City, the honking habits of drivers and noise fromvehicles have both contributed to the noise levels.
Loud music from bars, restaurants andstores has also become disruptive, with owners often blasting out promotionalmusic at ear-piercing levels, sometimes to midnight.
Nguyen Thi Thuy, a resident living on DienBien Phu street in HCM City’s District 1, said she had often lost sleep becauseof noise in the neighbourhood.
“I’ve installed soundproof windows andwalls, but they are still useless,” she said.
Nguyen Vinh An, a resident from Binh Thanhdistrict, said dust and noise pollution had affected his son’s ability to studyand his mother’s sleep and health.
According to national standards issued in2010, the noise level limit for special areas like hospitals and schools hasreached a decibel level of 55dBA and 45dBA from 6am-9pm and 9pm-6am,respectively. The figure for residential areas is 70dBA and 55dBA.
In May, HCM City reported that noise ateight traffic points exceeded the national standard, reaching 70-83.5 dBA.
According to the report, people living orworking near noisy places are susceptible to neurological diseases, headaches,difficulty in concentrating, and higher anxiety levels.
Under current regulations, noise pollutionlevels are subject to fines of up to 160 million VND (7,000 USD) forindividuals and 320 million VND (14,000 USD) for organisations.
Violators can also be required to suspendoperations for three months to a year, depending on the severity of theirinfringement.
However, enforcement has been difficult asthe city has more than 8 million registered vehicles, according to Vo KhanhHung, deputy director of the city’s Department of Transport.
Phung Chi Sy, deputy secretary general ofthe Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, said thatowners should schedule periodic maintenance of their vehicles and the cityshould plant more trees.-VNA
VNA
