A report from Brussels Environment says that noise pollution is cutting eight months off life expectancy in the city, largely from traffic noise.
The report claims that 64% of the Brussels population are hearing 55 decibels of sound at any given moment. While that's about the level of normal human conversation, the group says, as a constant barrage it can be closely linked to decreased mental health, sleep disturbance, increased stress and elevated blood pressure.
The city has 620,000 vehicles, and the report estimates that road and air traffic account for the greatest part of noise pollution in the Brussels region. They also attribute about €500 million a year in economic costs as well.
Researchers say that holding traffic to a 30km/h speed limit cuts the sound levels in half, and sharply reduces the number of people who are exposed to sound above the 55 decibel mark or to continuous sound at that level.
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