Modelled exposure to motor vehicle generated noise at schools and early childhood centres.

Abstract

<p><b>Motor vehicle generated noise pollution places a significant burden on the health and wellbeing of people in many urban areas and children have been identified as a particularly vulnerable group. Despite this, little is known about the extent of exposure to noise at schools and early childhood centres (ECCs), areas where children spend much of their time. To examine traffic generated noise levels at schools and ECCs, this study used the Common Noise Assessment Methods in Europe and validated the results against volunteered geographic noise measurements, using the Wellington Territorial Authority as a case study area. We examined the relationship of modelled noise values with socio-demographic variables of schools and ECCs. In addition, we assessed the relationship between modelled noise values and land use and proximity to busy roads to assess their use as proxy measures of noise. For the case study area, we found 57.7% of ECCs and 41.0% of schools exceeded the 2018 World Health Organization Environmental Noise Guidelines (53dB) and noise levels at schools and ECCs were higher compared to background levels. Schools with a higher proportion of international students, privately run ECCs, and ECCs located in the central city experienced particularly high noise levels.</b></p> <p>Compared to volunteered in situ noise measurements, our model performed reasonably: 81% of model values within 15dB of a volunteered measurement. While we found the proxy noise measurement ‘distance to busy roads’ explained 2% of the modelled noise levels in this study. Compared to proxy measures of noise, the modelled noise levels enhanced our understanding of noise level exposure. Overall, the findings of this research highlight the magnitude and inequalities of traffic generated noise pollution on children, which may be useful for guiding policy to mitigate noise pollution around schools and ECCs, such as location planning and identifying areas where ameliorating noise levels is important.</p>

The impact of noise in early childhood settings: A New Zealand perspective

“…The single biggest contributor to reducing noise, and noise events, is fewer children in the space. This is in line with what Shin (2011) found in Auckland: the presence of children-the number of children-is the single most important factor in noise levels.…”

“…In New Zealand, there are currently no guidelines for children's hearing safety, but local research has found that noise levels in early childhood settings regularly exceed safe levels (McLaren & Dickinson, 2003, 2009Shin, 2011). Peak noise levels can occur for multiple reasons, but distressed children crying is a predictable reason that is validated by research (see, for example, McLaren & Dickinson, 2009;Shin, 2011). Ratios and group size are generally determined by management of an early childhood setting but have to meet minimum regulatory requirements.…”

“…There is limited regulation of acoustic design of early childhood buildings and facilities. Shin (2011) reported that, of the six Auckland early childhood settings in her study, the centre that was most recently built and custom-designedwith its open plan design, partial walls between rooms, and generous use of glass for natural light and ventilation-had the worst acoustics.…”

“…Research on traffic and aircraft noise registered near schools and daycare facilities in Europe showed a lowering of children's cognition and aspects of children's memory, as well as rising blood pressure and high cortisol levels (Dzhambov & Dimitrova, 2017;Matheson et al, 2010). In a study of six early childhood settings in Auckland (three kindergartens and three private childcare services), Shin (2011) found that, even without any children present, none met recommended levels of background noise set for early childhood services by the World Health Organization.…”

“…They also make decisions about music running in the background. The activities undertaken and the facilities themselves also add to the environmental noise that surrounds the adults and children: air conditioning, doors, furniture scraping on floor surfaces, plus toys and musical instruments all add to the potential melee (Cielo & Cappellari, 2008;Gebauer et al, 2016;Manlove et al, 2001;Shin, 2011).…”