Acoustic impact: what it is and what the regulations provide
Acoustic impact (also known as noise pollution) is a type of pollution that can originate from various sources; the main ones are primarily domestic, transport-related, and those produced by the working environment, particularly by industries. This type of pollution can be very annoying and have negative effects on health, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO); for this reason, it must be regulated by specific laws and standards. Furthermore, certain products custom-designed for every need can assist us, tending to reduce the sound impact or soundproof a location, both in domestic and professional settings.
Below, we examine the regulations governing this type of impact.
What is acoustic impact
Acoustic impact is caused by the presence of sounds and noises at high intensity which, in addition to creating a disturbance, can become harmful to health and the environment. For these reasons, it is advisable to keep noise pollution under control.
Acoustic impact can be produced by various sources, such as industries, means of transport, construction sites, airports, roads, and highways; however, noise often originates from domestic activities as well, such as household appliances or a TV at too high a volume.
Noise pollution is measured with sound level meters, instruments that detect the amount of acoustic pressure.
Regulations in Italy
Last year, the Council of Ministers approved two decrees for the regulation of noise pollution, which entered into force on April 19, 2017. The decrees in question aim to unify and harmonize national policy with that of the European Community. The first of these two decrees (Legislative Decree 42 of February 17, 2017) provides for the training of competent technicians in acoustics (modifying framework law 447/1995) and a harmonization of regulations relating to environmental noise management (modifying and integrating Legislative Decree 194/2005); the second decree (Legislative Decree 41 of February 17, 2017) is instead aimed at regularizing and protecting from possible infractions those in Italy who use noisy machinery imported from outside the European Union and therefore lacking the CE mark.
Acoustic impact assessment
By June 30, 2017, Municipalities had to provide for the acoustic mapping of premises within their territory. These mappings will then form the basis of the action plans to be developed later, likely starting from the second half of 2018, aimed at regulating and reducing noise pollution.
Legislative Decree 42/2017 provides for the training of a competent technician in acoustics and makes acoustic mapping and acoustic impact assessments mandatory and fundamental.
Let us look more specifically at the various functions of these elements:
Competent technician in acoustics: the law identifies the main technical skills required to practice this profession, based on which a list of candidates has been drawn up. The skills and studies in question include: a degree or a master’s degree in technical-scientific subjects and a master’s or a course in acoustics, or having obtained a PhD with a thesis in environmental acoustics. These technicians must then attend qualifying courses to obtain the qualification of competent technician in environmental acoustics. In February 2018, the contents of the training courses were defined;
Acoustic mapping: various municipalities were obliged, by June 30, 2017, to draft acoustic mappings according to the specifications of the Inspire Directive (a European Union directive) and then proceed with action plans that must be updated every five years;
Acoustic impact assessments: this is a type of consultancy that can be requested from one’s Municipality; this assessment can be predictive, i.e., carried out before the construction of an environment/infrastructure, or the assessment can be applied to an existing situation. Thanks to these assessments, it is then possible to intervene with various acoustic impact reduction systems.
Some solutions for reducing urban acoustic impact appear to be the use of sound-absorbing asphalt, or by creating a natural barrier with trees and plants along the roadside and in cities.
Noises generated by industries and premises can also be easily diminished, thanks to the numerous sound-absorbing and sound-insulating solutions available on the market today which, with the help of a specialist, can be specifically installed to achieve an optimal result.
