Air quality and noise

Transportation and traffic produce noise and worsen air quality

Vehicles are a major source of impurities in air and environmental noise in the metropolitan area. Cars in particular have a high impact on air quality in areas of busy traffic, because emissions from cars are released from a low level. Emissions are usually the highest in areas with large numbers of people such as the city centre during peak hours. Both noise and impurities in air weaken the quality of the living environment and life as well as causing health hazards.  

Air quality is worst in the busy downtown street corridors

The Helsinki Metropolitan Area cities have a common air protection programme aimed at improving air quality. The programme was produced because air in busy downtown street corridors intermittently exceeds the EU limits for impurities. If air quality suddenly deteriorates, the metropolitan area cities take to action as defined in an air-quality preparedness plan to protect residents.

Air quality is monitored and communicated by municipalities in Finland. Air quality in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is monitored by the municipal alliance Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY).

Noise prevention plan to reduce noise hazards

The actions presented in the City of Helsinki noise prevention action plan are used to mitigate hazards from traffic noise by reducing traffic noise, preventing the noise from spreading and protecting sites sensitive to noise.

SHARE

06.12.2019 19:41