New Who Guidelines for Community Noise

TLDR

The WHO 2023 Community Noise Guidelines replace the 1980 Environmental Health Criteria No.12 and are intended for widespread use in environmental noise assessment. The report aims to evaluate noise sources, measurement, health effects, and management, and to introduce updated recommendations. It does so by reviewing noise sources, measurement techniques, health impacts, and management strategies, and by proposing new guideline values reflecting recent knowledge. It highlights inadequacies of equivalent sound level for intermittent noises, the importance of low‑frequency noise, and the protection of vulnerable groups. The guide is available in full on the WHO website (www.who.org).

Abstract

This important document replaces the 1980 Environmental Health Criteria No.12 – Noise. It is destined to become widely used and quoted in relation to environmental noise problems. All who have even a passing involvement in this area must become familiar with it and with its recommended levels. The Report considers noise sources and their measurement, adverse effects on health and noise management, whilst introducing a new set of recommendations and guideline values to take account of changes in knowledge and expectations over the past 20 years. Attention is drawn to inadequacies of equivalent level for intermittent noises, to the need to consider effects of low frequency noise and to the rights of vulnerable sub-groups. The Guide can be viewed in full on the World Health Organisation website – www.who.org