39.2 Basic Ideas behind Noise Policy

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Every noise policy originates from the idea of protecting the quality of life from noise pollution of

all kinds. When establishing a noise policy, it is useful to consider the distinction between noise

emission and immission (or reception) [6]. The former means literally emitting or radiating

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© 2005 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

sound energy or power from a noise source, whereas the latter means receiving, perceiving, or

observing radiated noise, which leads to the extent of the noise exposure at a position near the

noise source. Therefore, noise emission is controlled with noise regulation law by the government,

whereas noise immission is legislated with environmental quality standards. The measure of the

extent describing the former is the “sound power level,” and that describing the latter is the sound

pressure level.

The global professional organization on noise control, the International Institute of Noise Control

Engineering (I-INCE) recently started its activities to develop a global noise policy [5]. In response to

the question “is noise policy a global issue, or is it a local issue?”, I-INCE had a common theme

presented in special session. It was felt that noise is primarily a global policy issue, but many noise

problems can only be solved with the active participation of local authorities. The task of the technical

study group is to take a global approach to noise in order to define the requirements for an

international noise control policy to be effective, stated as follows:

All vehicles, devices, machinery, and equipment that emit audible sound are manufactured

products; most are entered into world trade and many are produced in two or more different

countries by companies with worldwide operations. The noise emission of these products is an

appropriate subject of international agreements and regulations. The noise immisions resulting

from the operation of these products are growing in severity as traffic flow and the pace of

industrialization continues to increase in many parts of the globe.

The technical study group reports the classification of noise areas as follows:

1. OCCUPATION NOISE — noise received at the workplace, indoors and outdoors, caused by all

noise sources in the vicinity of the workplace.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE — noise perceived by individuals in the domestic environment,

indoors and outdoors, caused by sources controlled by others.

3. CONSUMER PRODUCT NOISE — noise perceived by users and bystanders of noise generating

products over which the individual has some control, including noise in the passenger

compartment of vehicles, excluding occupational and environmental noise.

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