Response functions for environmental noise before and after the economy crisis in Greece: The case of Thessaloniki

Transcription

1 Response functions for environmental noise before and after the economy crisis in Greece: The case of Thessaloniki Vassilios Vassiliadis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Eleni Antonopoulou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Summary The economic crisis that struck Greece has been affecting the lives of the vast majority of Greek citizens for the last few years. High levels of stress and anxiety are present in almost every household. The present paper aims to examine the relationship between levels of stress and environmental noise perception using a social survey in two central areas of Thessaloniki a city severely struck by the economic crisis. After collecting noise level data from a long-term noise monitoring system installed in these areas and the data from the social survey, we investigate the response functions for environmental noise. Noise Indicators L night and L den (day-evening-night) are used in this study. Non-acoustical factors are also considered in the response functions. We, then, compare the results to a similar survey conducted ten years ago, in order to assess the effect of stress on noise perception.. PACS no Rq 1. Introduction 1 According to recent studies ([1], [2], [3], [4]), noise is responsible for a large number of stress related diseases (blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, obesity, insomnia etc.) and a risen level of mortality. In 2 the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki installed a network for long-term monitoring of urban noise in the city of Thessaloniki. Based on the measurements of the monitoring system in two busy areas of Thessaloniki, Vasiliadis and Tzekakis [5] conducted a questionnaire survey to identify residents noise annoyance levels. The results of that survey showed that the percentage of the ly annoyed people was very, even at night time. In 217 we repeated the questionnaire survey in order to discover if and how the elevated stress levels ([6], [7], [8]) caused by the current economic crisis in Greece affect the way people perceive noise, since noise perception, apart from the objective noise level, also depends on various demographic, attitudinal and psychological factors ([9], [1]). 2. The survey 2.1. The study area The same two areas as in the original study were chosen for the purpose of the present survey in order to ensure comparability of results (Figure 1). The first one is an area around Vas. Olgas Ave., which is one of the noisiest streets of Thessaloniki in both day and night time [11]. The second one is an area around one of the busiest streets (Agaiou st. and Pontou st.) of Kalamaria, the second largest municipality of the Thessaloniki urban conglomerate, and one of the most expensive ones. Both areas serve a large number of vehicles driving to and from work, but also driving to the city center for recreational purposes. They are densely populated with tall buildings. The buildings of the Vas. Olgas area are taller than those in Kalamaria, since a law used to forbid construction of buildings over 4 floors until fairly recently. In both areas more than 9 of the windows and balcony doors are aluminum sliding ones. The Sound Reduction Indexes R w of these windows and balcony doors are about 22dB 27dB. Copyright 218 EAA HELINA ISSN: All rights reserved

2 Euronoise Conference Proceedings the purpose of the new survey, presenting noise related health hazards, and stressing the importance of their participation. Their anonymity was also guaranteed by the research team. In addition to that, all households were advised to let the person who completed the previous questionnaire to respond. In case this person was not available, household members were asked to let the person with the next birthday to complete the questionnaire, provided they were over 18. Out of the 24 questionnaires, only 112 were returned completed (67 from Vas. Olgas and 45 from Kalamaria). Some of the recipients had moved from the area in the past 1 years and some had passed away. The returned envelopes amounted to 4 in both areas. The rest of the recipients chose not to participate in the survey. 3. Results Figure 1. Map of the survey area 2.2. The questionnaire The survey questionnaire included general questions about environmental issues, but also specific questions about noise annoyance. An important section of the questionnaire aimed to record the reactions on noise and the dimensions of the annoyance caused by noise. A question regarding respondents perception of the difference in noise levels between now and 1 years ago was added to the original questionnaire. In order to ensure the functionality of the questionnaire a small pilot survey was conducted. Participants comments were recorded and adjustments were made accordingly. While noise measurements were conducted, in the beginning of 217, the survey questionnaire was sent via mail to the same 24 households (117 in V. Olgas, 87 in Kalamaria) that responded in the original survey. We did not address the whole population of the two areas, as in the original study, because we were interested in the change in levels of noise annoyance and not solely on noise annoyance itself. Each questionnaire was accompanied by a letter presenting the results of the past survey, explaining 3.1. Summary statistics As shown in Table 1, demographics were similar in both areas, apart from the income categories. Those residing in Kalamaria appear to have a larger monthly income, which was anticipated, as Kalamaria is a more expensive area. The survey sample consisted of slightly more men than women. The vast majority of the participants were over 5 years old. Table I. Sample statistics for the two areas Vas. Olgas Sex () Income () Age () HH no. of members Education () Yrs in the area Male Female < > >65 Average Range Median 9 yrs 12 yrs University graduate Postgraduate/PhD Average Range Median

3 Euronoise Conference Proceedings Kalamaria Sex () Income () Age () HH no. of members Education () Yrs in the area Male Female < > >65 Average Range Median 9 yrs 12 yrs University graduate Postgraduate/PhD Average Range Median Most households comprised of an average of 2-3 persons (which is consistent with the age of the participants). Nearly 75 of the respondents of both areas hold a university degree and around 2 of them hold a postgraduate degree. Most participants lived in their neighborhood for about 3 years Noise measurements The Aristotle University noise monitoring system was not still in operation during the time of this survey, due to maintenance and operation costs. Therefore, 24 hour noise measurements were taken on the same spots where the stations used to be. The measurements were then calibrated using the old dataset from the original stations. All measurements were taken according to the 22/49/EC, using a Cirrus CR:245 Environmental Noise Analyser, at 4m height, every hour in order to be able to calculate the Lden indicator. From Table II we can conclude that the Noise Levels in both areas through the past 1 years remain almost the same. There is a slight reduction in the Vas. Olgas area, which is probably due to a slight reduction in traffic load caused by the economic crisis. There is also a slight increase in noise levels in the Kalamaria area caused by the increased traffic noise due to large vehicles coming in and out of the Thessaloniki Metro construction site, which did not exist when the previous survey was conducted. Table II. Noise measurements Kalamaria L night L den 27 57,8 65, , 65,7 Vas. Olgas L night L den 27 69,3 75, ,8 75, Questionnaire results Questions regarding traffic noise annoyance reveal that it presents a dramatic shift (especially in the busy area around Vas. Olgas) from Very to Fair or Low. Responses grading annoyance as High remain more or less the same, showing a slight increase of 3 in both day and night on Vas. Olgas and a decrease 3 (night) and 9 (day) in Kalamaria (Figures 2-5) very enough not to Figure 2. Day noise disturbance in Vas. Olgas (busiest route) Very Figure 3. Night noise disturbance in Vas. Olgas none existing High Fair Low None

4 Euronoise Conference Proceedings other hand, about 6 of the Vas. Olgas residents believe that traffic noise remained the same, which is consistent with noise measurements as well. However, contrary to noise measurements, 3 of them believe that it has increased (Figure 6). 1 very enough not to none existing (Urban residence) Figure 4. Day noise disturbance in Kalamaria In the question How would you describe noise levels today compared to 1 years ago?, the majority of people residing in Kalamaria find that it Very High Fair Low None Figure 7. Activities which are mostly affected by noise in Vas. Olgas Figure 5. Night noise disturbance in Kalamaria has either increased or remained the same. This is consistent with noise measurements that show a slight increase, probably due to the addition of the Much more More Same Less Much less Kalamaria Vas. Olgas Figure 6. Current noise levels compared to past noise levels, according to the respondents opinion metro construction site. To the people living near this site, noise appears to be clearly more. On the Figure 8. Activities mostly affected by noise in Kalamaria

5 Euronoise Conference Proceedings When asked which of their everyday activities are affected most by noise, responses in the two areas appear similar (Figures 7-8). Relaxing both inside and outside is, as expected, mostly affected. However, in the area of Vas. Olgas the percentage of people that are annoyed when attempting to relax on the balcony has risen significantly since 27, while in Kalamaria it is the annoyance inside the residence that presents a significant rise since 27. What is most impressing, however, is that the percentage of people that find traffic noise annoying when trying to sleep has dropped from 33 to 17 in Kalamaria and even more so in Vas. Olgas, where the percentage dropped from 34 to 12. It should be noted that respondents could select more than one answers to this question. To the question what did you do or plan to do in the future to reduce noise annoyance (Figure 9-1), 51 in Vas. Olgas in 27 answered that they planned to protest to the competent authorities in 27, and only 2 in 217. The corresponding Urban residence Figure 9. Actions to combat noise in Vas. Olgas plan to change the doors and windows. This percentage in 217 rose to 66. The corresponding percentage for Kalamaria was 4 in 27 and 52 in 217. A few of the respondents mentioned that they have already changed their doors and windows to avoid traffic noise. In Kalamaria 41 Figure 1. Actions to combat noise in Kalamaria percentages for Vas. Olgas were 31 in 27 and only 1 in 217 (Table III). A rise is observed in the Nothing and Patience choices. Table III. Intention to protest to the competent authorities Kalamaria Protest to the competent authorities Vas. Olgas Protest to the competent authorities An interesting fact is that, apart from the replies to the questions of the questionnaire, many of the recipients that did take part to the survey wrote on the questionnaire that they thought the survey was a positive initiative as noise has to be dealt with. A few of them actually remembered taking part in the previous survey and appreciated the fact that the

6 Euronoise Conference Proceedings results were made available to them. This could be an indication, combined with the rest of the results, that people need to be reminded of the importance of quiet in their lives. 4. Conclusions In the present paper we investigated the relationship between elevated stress levels due to the economic crisis and traffic noise annoyance in two busy areas of the Thessaloniki urban conglomerate. As a general rule, respondents seem to be less annoyed by the same traffic noise levels in 217 than they were in 27. Even though people s individual problems and, hence, stress levels has risen substantially since 27, or, most likely, because of it, they do not seem to care about noise as much. The mere fact that, whereas in 27, 24 households took the time to complete and send back the questionnaire, in 217 some of them could not be bothered, indicates that their focus is elsewhere and not on environmental problems. Even when these problems affect their lives directly and on a daily basis. For most of the respondents, noise has either increased or, at least, remained the same. So we are presented with a paradox: Noise seems to be more now than it was some years ago (when objective measurements show that it is the same), but now people appear less annoyed by the same or even by, what they perceive as, er levels of noise. The fact that, for example, 3 of the respondents living around Vas. Olgas believe that noise levels have risen in the past years, yet a corresponding rise of annoyance levels was not recorded, is very interesting and indicative of the state of mind of Greek people (Table IV). For those citizens it is apparent that they perceive noise as being louder now than before, probably due to their elevated stress levels. However, being the lesser of two (or more) evils, i.e. financial problems, political issues etc., they do not find it too annoying. Table IV. Noise perception levels Kalamaria Highly or very ly annoyed Vas. Olgas Highly or very ly annoyed In 27, 41 in Kalamaria and 31 in Vas. Olgas area wanted to protest to the competent authorities about noise. Ten years later the percentages sink in both areas for about 2 units. Nothing and Patience appear to be more popular today than they were 1 years ago, when citizens appeared more aggressive. The question is why are people ignoring noise annoyance today? Especially, since they are well educated people who were informed about health issues caused by noise. The answer to this question could be a combination of factors. First of all, it is ly likely that, nowadays, in Greece citizens are still struggling to adjust their lifestyles to the new economic and social frame. They try to deal with the more urgent matters and the block out all the rest in an attempt to maintain their balance. Thereafter, environmental issues and indirect health hazards are dealt as minor issues. Noise is probably the least of their problems. Or, it could also be that Greek citizens have lost all faith in the ability of the authorities to solve their problems. They consider noise to be another non-solvable problem and they choose to assume a more passive attitude towards it. This paper has tried to shed some light in the way noise is perceived today in light of the economic crisis. However, the survey involved a small sample in relation to the total population of Greece, with all the limitations present in mail surveys. It could, however, serve as a starting point for further investigation, in order to acquire a full picture of the current situation. References [1] J. I. Halonen, H. M. Dehbi, A. L. Hansell, J. Gulliver, D. Fecht, M. Blangiardo, F. J. Kelly, N. Chaturvedi, M. Kivimäki, and C. Tonne, Associations of night-time road traffic noise with carotid intima-media thickness and blood pressure: The Whitehall II and SABRE study cohorts, Environ. Int., vol. 98, pp , 217. [2] EC, Noise impacts on health, no. 47, pp. 1 15, 215. [3] S. Floud, M. Blangiardo, C. Clark, K. De Hoogh, W. Babisch, D. Houthuijs, W. Swart, G. Pershagen, K. Katsouyanni, M. Velonakis, F. Vigna-Taglianti, E. Cadum, and A. L. Hansell, Exposure to aircraft and road traffic noise and associations with heart disease and stroke in six European countries: A cross-sectional study, Environ. Heal. A Glob. Access Sci. Source, 213. [4] S. Stansfeld and C. Clark, Health Effects of

7 Euronoise Conference Proceedings Noise Exposure in Children. [5] V. Vasiliadis and E. Tzekakis, Proposal for noise limits according to the 22/49/EC directive in Greece, in ICSV15, International Congress on Sound and Vibration, 6-1 July 28, Daejeon, Korea, 28. [6] M. Madianos, M. Economou, T. Alexiou, and C. Stefanis, Depression and economic hardship across Greece in 28 and 29: Two crosssectional surveys nationwide, Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol., vol. 46, no. 1, pp , 211. [7] M. Economou, M. Madianos, L. E. Peppou, A. Patelakis, and C. N. Stefanis, Major depression in the Era of economic crisis: A replication of a cross-sectional study across Greece, J. Affect. Disord., vol. 145, no. 3, pp , 213. [8] K. Mylona, V. Tsiantou, D. Zavras, E. Pavi, and J. Kyriopoulos, Determinants of self-reported frequency ofdepressive symptoms in Greece during economiccrisis, Public Health, vol. 128, no. 8, pp , 214. [9] K. Koprowska, E. Łaszkiewicz, J. Kronenberg, and S. Marcińczak, Subjective perception of noise exposure in relation to urban green space availability, Urban For. Urban Green., vol. 31, pp , Apr [1] K. Koprowska, E. Łaszkiewicz, J. Kronenberg, and S. Marcińczak, Subjective perception of noise exposure in relation to urban green space availability, Urban For. Urban Green., vol. 31, pp , Apr [11] E. Georgiadou, K. Kourtidis, and I. Ziomas, Exploratory traffic noise measurements at five main streets of Thessaloniki, Greece, Glob. Nest J., vol. 6, no. 1, pp ,

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