HÀ NỘI – At least 15 million of the country’s 52-million workforce is suffering the consequences of severe noise levels, the Institute of Occupational Health and Environment, said on Thursday. Noise pollution is a serious issue, particularly in urban areas and industries where it often exceeds permitted levels, Hải said, adding that noise pollution – caused by traffic, factories, and construction sites – is affecting the quality of life. Noise does not stay accumulated in the environment, like dust and pollution from toxins, but it affects human beings just as badly and can have long-lasting consequences such as impaired hearing. Noise pollution can also cause sleep disturbances, hypertension, coronary artery disease and cognitive decline in children, Hải noted. The average night-time noise is 65.3 to 75.7 dBA, which exceeds the standard of 10 to 20 dBA.

Source: Viet Nam News July 21, 2017 09:11 UTC