Volunteers measure noise pollution around Levski Blvd.

Measurement of noise pollution in the area of ​​the renovated Levski Blvd. started today with the Civil Ecolaboratory at the Public Environmental Center for Sustainable Development. Noise will be measured at five points twice a day – between 8 am and 9 am and 2 pm and 3 pm, along the boulevard between the intersection with the Eighth Primorsky Regiment and Spartak Stadium.

Our goal is to cover at least one rush hour and one hour with less traffic, so that we have a diverse view of the noise generated by car traffic in the area of ​​Levski Blvd., explained Dr. Dimcho Tomov, who leads the study.

The equivalent noise level in the area is studied on three days of the week – one weekday, at the end of the working week – Friday, and one day off – Sunday.

“The goal is to prove an unprotected infrastructure, to think about people and especially people to have clarity about what is happening under their noses,” said Anton Bogdev, the initiator of the campaign. After analysis, the measurements will be provided to an authorized body and a formal measurement by a laboratory will be required. The result we are striving for is taking measures to improve the urban environment, building a protective infrastructure to benefit the health of people in the area, said Anton Bogdev.

Such research should be used to make adequate management decisions related to traffic management in the city, the reconstruction of intersections and road surfaces so commented and expected by all smart-organization of traffic flows in the city, said Dr. Dimcho Tomov. According to him, this should be on the one hand convenient for those who travel with different modes of transport, and on the other – not to constantly aggravate the acoustic environment.

The study of the noise on Levski Blvd. is performed with two noise meters of the PECSD, which provide a variety of data for subsequent analysis. The devices are precise enough, with the possibility of calibration, according to Dr. Tomov. The time and duration of the measurement are selected so as to give a typical characteristic of the acoustic condition in the area of ​​Levski Blvd., which is mainly related to road traffic.

Even during the first measurements today, it was found that the noise levels in the time interval 8-9 hours exceed the maximum allowable. “With a permissible 60 decibels, we report 70 en masse and even 80 at times,” said Anton Bogdev.

This is the first such study that the Public Environmental Center for Sustainable Development is doing on its own. The data from the institutional monitoring carried out by the Regional Health Inspectorate show that Levski Blvd. is one of the busiest crossroads in Varna. The others are in the area of ​​the Cathedral, on the Red Square, and also where there are traffic lights, interruption of the traffic flow with stopping and departure.

Transport is the main source of noise in large settlements and in particular Varna. The unfavorable trend reported by experts is the constantly increasing average noise level in large settlements. In just a few years, the noise level jumps by one decibel on average. During busy hours at busy intersections and highways, the noise level exceeds the relevant permissible norms for the typical area of ​​the settlement. The norms for outdoor noise in the settlements are differentiated according to the respective ordinance in different categories and zones and there are different norms for them.

Noise is a chronic stressor that negatively affects all human organs and systems, regardless of its characteristics, origin and duration. It is one of the factors that constantly acts on the human body. The most sensitive and vulnerable to noise are the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Translator: Valentina vagge