An oft-overlooked source of environmental degradation in cities is noise pollution, which could come from traffic, industrial facilities, construction, aircraft, and various other sources.

The ill effects of excessive noise on health are well-documented: noise pollution was associated with hearing loss, higher cardiovascular disease risk, substantial sleep disturbance, and increased depression and anxiety. Research had also linked loud noise to hyperactivity and inattentiveness as well as poorer reading comprehension skills in children. Noise pollution has also been shown have a negative impact on animals in terms of migration, predator evasion and prey hunting. 

In Singapore, a major source of urban noise pollution is vehicular noise, particularly that from motorbikes and buses. While the Government has put in place several measures, including tighter enforcement of vehicular noise control and urban planning regulations, these measures may not be able to keep pace with a growing nation. According to a 2017 study by the National University of Singapore, the mean noise level measured over over a 2½-month period in Singapore was 69.4 decibels (dBs) - exceeding the National Environmental Agency’s recommendation of 67 dBs and nearly meeting the World Health Organisation’s limit of 70 dB.

As such, we call on the government and the relevant authorities and companies to implement tighter controls to address traffic noise pollution in Singapore, particular in the aspects of motorbikes and buses. We seek additional swift, comprehensive enforcement exercises against illegally modified motorbikes, together with the regulation and phasing out of buses with old, noisy engines. We also hope that the effectiveness of the measures can be monitored through giving journalists and independent experts access to observe, evaluate and report on the progress.

Relevant articles:

1. Living with noise pollution: Serangoon, Bukit Timah and Clementi among the noisiest neighbourhoods in Singapore

2. Tackling an Invisible Pollutant

3. Urban noise pollution: how loud city sounds harm animals – and threatens the survival of some species