One in seven people in Switzerland has to put up with excessive noise pollution, particularly from road traffic, according the Federal Office for the Environment.
Some 1.1 million residents are exposed to traffic noise that exceeds legal limits, the office communicated on Monday. And when road noise levels die down at night, people face the disturbance of plane and train traffic, says the latest edition of a noise pollution study conducted every five years.
Railway noise affects 16,000 people during the day and 87,000 at night, while aircraft noise affects 24,000 people during the day and 75,000 people at night. Exposure to excessive noise can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, coronary issues and depression.
The findings may run contrary to Switzerland’s international image as a peaceful, quiet country of mountains and lakes. But in cities and towns, the situation can be different: nine out of ten people affected by excessive noise live in built-up areas.
Demographic demands
The situation has improved slightly thanks to noise reduction measures, says the environment office. These include noise dampening road surfaces and the promotion of peaceful rest areas throughout the country.
The previous time the survey was conducted, in 2012, 1.6 million people were affected by excessive road traffic noise. But the office cautions that direct comparisons are difficult as it changed its monitoring methods in the intervening period.
It warns that the problem of containing noise pollution will become harder as the population increases and concentrates in urban areas. Transportation networks will also have to scale up to meet such demographic demands.
The office therefore recommends that town planners take acoustic criteria into greater consideration in future. It put into place a noise pollution mitigation plan in mid-2017. Part of that plan involves working with transport manufacturers to ensure quieter trains and aircraft.
More
More
Traffic noise increases risks of heart illnesses and diabetes
This content was published on
Traffic noise can have negative health consequences, such as increased risk of heart-related illnesses and diabetes, a study has found.
Swiss invention: 90-year anniversary of first T-bar ski lift
This content was published on
On Monday it will be 90 years since the world’s first T-bar ski lift went into service in Davos. This Swiss invention was an instant success.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US and Italy arrests
This content was published on
Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests, to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians.
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
This content was published on
The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
This content was published on
The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
This content was published on
Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Increasingly fewer quiet oases in Switzerland
This content was published on
An estimated one in six Swiss residents is exposed to harmful levels of noise in their daily life, a rate in line with the European average. Progress has been made in noise reduction but it still remains one of the most serious and underestimated environmental problems of our age. Around 1.3 million of Switzerland’s…
This content was published on
Final results show the initiative was rejected by nearly 70% of voters. Finance Minister Ueli Maurer said he was pleased that he was not faced with an enforced change to the overall federal budget. He pointed out that alternative road financing measures were currently being debated in parliament. “We can now get on with dealing…
This content was published on
Swiss church bells tell time, call people to prayer, and irritate some – leading to disputes over whether they should be silenced.
Traffic noise increases risks of heart illnesses and diabetes
This content was published on
Traffic noise can have negative health consequences, such as increased risk of heart-related illnesses and diabetes, a study has found.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.