City of Montreal to address high levels of noise pollution

The City of Montreal will be adding more soundproofing measures to some neighbourhoods, in light of a studywhichsuggests noise levels inMontreal often surpass therecommended limitset by theWorld Health Organization.

Montreal's public health agency conducted the study in 2010 by measuring ambientnoise levels at 87 different locationsonthe island of Montreal.

The World Health Organization recommends that people not be exposed to levels over 55 decibels, butMontreal Director of public health director RichardMasssaidnearly 70 per cent of the locations they measuredexceeded that limit.

Neighbourhoods close to railways, such as Pointe-Saint-Charles; those nearMontreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport; and those along DcarieBoulevard had particularly high noise levels.

Mass said such high noise levels can be harmful.

"People are awakened at night time more than they might be usually, and that may lead ...to cardiovascular disease,"he said.

In response to the findings, the City of Montreal said it plans to implement new measures to help reduce the level of noise in the city.

RalMnard, the city's executive committee member responsible for the environment, says a regional noise control policy is in the works.

It will identify problem areas in the cityand address them by adopting measuresincluding:

• New urban planning measures to help reduce noise pollution.
• Soundproofing measures for buildings in certain sectors.
• Update criteria for land-zoning designations.

According toMnard, the project is set to be adopted by the end of 2014.