Does the cafe next to your house constantly entertain the neighborhood with loud music? Do next door’s renovations seem to go on all night?

 

All of us have to deal with noise pollution in our daily lives. In fact, it is one of Israel’s most common environmental problems and has a huge impact on quality of life.

 

Tackling noise pollution is complicated by its subjective nature – people have different definitions of what is “noisy”, depending on their sensitivity to different levels and kinds of noise. Nonetheless, there are scientific measures used to define the point at which noise becomes an environmental nuisance.

 

What is noise?

Sound has three defining characteristics: level, frequency and duration.

 

The noise level corresponds to the air pressure generated by the sound. It is measured in relation to a background pressure level (such as the threshold of human hearing), using decibels (dB) on a logarithmic scale. As the pressure level rises, so does the subjective feeling of increasing noise.

 

The frequency reflects the number of waves per second, measured in hertz (Hz), and is an important factor in defining certain types of noise as an environmental problem.

 

The duration of the noise also affects people’s perception of its severity. It is generally easier to endure noises that are repeated in a regular pattern so long as the level and frequency are not unbearable. A short or sudden noise, on the other hand, is more likely to be a nuisance and cause greater concern.

 

These three characteristics – level, frequency and duration – as well as the different types of noise, are all factors in Israel’s regulations controlling noise pollution.

 

The health impacts

Noise can affect us both physically and psychologically. The typical physical impact of noise is damage to one’s hearing. Most of these cases are linked to places of work, although increasing development and population density in Israel is leading to rising levels of noise in residential and leisure areas as well. Epidemiological studies also suggest that ongoing exposure to noise may increase the risk of stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, migraines and neural problems.

 

Noise and the law

Israel’s legal system addresses noise levels in general as well as noise from specific sources such as car alarms, musical instruments and air conditioning systems. Noise that exceeds the limitations imposed by the law is illegal. The regulations set in law are intended as an indication of excessive noise, and the courts may also exercise their own judgment to declare a particular source of noise as unreasonable even if it conforms with the regulations.

 

Limitations on causing noise are found in a number of laws, including the Prevention of Nuisances Law, 1961, the Prevention of Environmental Nuisances Law (civil suits), 1992, the Public Health Ordinance and the Torts Ordinance (new version), 1968. These deal with noise pollution in general.

 

More specifically, what noises are prohibited and when?

The main piece of legislation dealing with specific kinds of noise is the Prevention of Nuisances Regulations (noise prevention), 1992. The regulations include a number of specific limitations that cover various sources of noise including:

• businesses
• air conditioners, ventilation system and compressors
• singing, shouting, musical instruments, radios, televisions, loudspeakers and amplifiers, all in residential areas (prohibited between 2-4pm and 11pm-7am)
• building work and renovations (prohibited between 10pm-7am in a residential building)
• moving containers such as garbage cans and gas balloons (prohibited between 10pm-6am if likely to cause noise)

The Prevention of Nuisances Regulations (prevention of air pollution and noise from quarries), 1998, set limits on reasonable noise from quarries and obliges the quarry manager to take steps to prevent unreasonable noise.

 

In cases of ongoing noise, the Prevention of Nuisances Regulations (unreasonable noise), 1990, define the maximum decibel level permitted according to the type of area: residential, industrial/commercial, hospitals etc.

 

 

What can you do to combat noise pollution?

Once you have raised the issue with the person responsible for the noise and the problem is continuing, you can contact the relevant authorities. These include: the police, the local authority, the environmental unit in the local authority, the Ministry of the Environment and the Green Police, the local Towns Association for Environmental Quality and, in certain circumstances, the Inspector for Shared Buildings. If these measures yield no results, it is possible to initiate legal action in the local court.

 

How to contact the…

Police – ask for a police officer to be called to the site of the noise to take immediate action to stop it; it is also possible to submit a complaint to the police about an illegal source of noise.

Local authority – the relevant divisions within the local authority are the municipal inspectorate, environmental officers, the municipal council, the business license division and the local committee for planning and building; they should be contacted in writing with as many details as possible about the source of noise. Start by calling your municipality's 'moked,' operating 24 hours per day at a special phone number (106, for example).

Ministry of the Environment and the Green Police – the Ministry is authorized to take steps against anyone violating the maximum permitted decibel level; the Ministry may issue administrative orders against sources of noise such as factories; it is also possible to contact the Ministry’s enforcement arm, the Green Police on 08-9788888.

Towns Associations for Environmental Quality – the Towns Associations operate according to geographical regions throughout the country; they can be contacted with a request to measure local noise levels.

Inspector for Shared Buildings – in cases of noise from a neighbor’s air conditioner or ventilation system, there is a special procedure for filing a complaint (for a fee) via the Inspector.

 

In cases where normal channels bring no relief from the environmental nuisance, please contact our Green Alert and we'll see what we can do.

 

Noise is an environmental problem. There are means available to create a quieter environment. Don’t let noise pollution become an inevitable part of our daily lives.

 

Follow link to chart of maximum permitted noise levels: