Launch of app that can monitor traffic-noise exposure

摘要

Anew mobile phone application can help monitor traffic-noise exposure. The app, 2Loud?, can measure indoor night-time noise exposure and, given large-scale community participation, could provide valuable data to aid urban planning, say researchers. In an Australian pilot study, nearly half of participants who used the app found that they were exposed to potentially unhealthy levels of night-time noise. Exposure to noise pollution can have serious health effects. Disturbed sleep in particular can lead to cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, and the WHO recommends that night-time noise exposure should not exceed 40 dB(A).