A group of peers has highlighted the detrimental effects of light and noise pollution on human health, labeling them as “neglected pollutants” that can lead to premature deaths. The science and technology committee of the House of Lords is urging ministers to take stronger measures to address these pollutants, which are currently poorly understood and regulated.
According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), noise pollution alone causes the loss of 130,000 healthy years of life each year in the UK. The committee’s chair, Lady King, states that 40% of Britons are exposed to harmful levels of road traffic noise.
Although research on the health effects of light pollution is not as advanced, it can still disrupt sleep and circadian rhythms, with potential social and economic consequences. Sleep disturbance is estimated to cost the UK economy £34bn annually, and both light and noise pollution contribute to this problem.
Lady King emphasizes that both noise and light pollution not only cause annoyance and impact quality of life, but they also contribute to heart disease and premature death through the disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms. While the individual risk may be low, the cumulative impact on millions of people is significant.
Recent studies have also indicated that exposure to artificial light at night can impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Light pollution in the UK is not currently well measured, but evidence from satellite data and citizen science projects suggests that it has significantly increased since the introduction of LED lighting.
The American Medical Association has previously warned about the health and environmental consequences of “white” LED streetlights and recommended the use of dimmer or warmer-colored outdoor lighting instead.
To address these issues, the committee proposes the establishment of an expert advisory group on noise, similar to the existing group for air pollution, that can provide independent advice to the government and evaluate emerging evidence. It also suggests that UKHSA creates a dedicated group to determine what constitutes healthy light exposure and develop guidelines for the UK.
Lady King states, “We are concerned about the absence of specific targets for regulating light and noise pollution, as well as the lack of coordination between departments and levels of government. This hinders the government’s ability to address these problems. The government should prioritize quantifying the health effects of noise and light pollution, setting targets, and establishing a regulatory framework to reduce the overall disease burden.”
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
