Results of a survey used to evaluate noise annoyance as part of the noise action plan of León (Spain)

Paper in proceeding, 2013

The European Directive 2002/49/CE aims to establish a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce the harmful effects, including annoyance due to exposure to environmental noise. Noise not only has negative effects on our health, it modifies our social behavior and causes annoyance. A survey has been designed to analyze the annoyance due to noise pollution in the city of León. (~ 132,000 inhabitants). It was conducted to 509 inhabitants of the whole city and contains a series of questions that can bring some answers in order to meet the requirements set by the Action Plan. The present study shows that more than half of the population of the city is annoyed by both indoor and outdoor noise. In this sense, exterior sources that causes more annoyance among people are voices and motorcycle traffic. The study reflects that in an area which does not exceed the noise limits, people can perceived as annoying those levels and vice versa. It also shows that the perception of noise as annoying varies depending on age.