Noise Pollution In Albania Towards European Standards

• Author: Stela Mecaj
• Position: Law Department, University 'Ismail Qemali' Vlora, Albania
• Pages: 181-185

NOISE POLLUTION IN ALBANIA TOWARDS EUROPEAN STANDARDS

Lecturer Stela MECAJ1

Abstract

Noise pollution is disturbing noise with a harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. Noise

nuisance is a global p henomenon that generates a sense of resentment associated with any agent or condition that is

recognized or trusted by an individ ual or group of individuals to adversely affect them. The health impacts of

environmental noise a re a growing concern for the general public as well as policymakers in Europe. Unwanted noise

can damage psychological health, can cause hypertension, high levels of stress, hearing loss, sleep disturbances and

other harmful effects. Albania ranks among the countries with the highest acoustic pollution in Europe. Every citizen

has the right to be protected from the harmful effects of environmental noise. The institutional responsibilities for

disciplining noise-generating activities are related to the ministry or authority responsible for licensing. The protection

applies to noise, which exposes people to the en vironment where they live, in residential areas, in pu blic institutions, in

public parks, in nature, in children’s institutions, health ’s institutions, educational, cultural, religious institutions and

others environments similar to them. This paper aims to analyze the legal, administrative and organizational measures

taken to manage environmental noise in Albania, as well as to comply with the requirements of the EU Basic Directive

and other related directives, identifying problems related to this sector. The methods used to carry out this paper are

descriptive, analytical, and comparative.

Keywords: environmental noise, transport, public services sector, public health.

JEL Classification: K32

1. Introduction

Environmental noise is defined as “an unwanted and harmful external noise caused by

human activities, including noise emitted by vehicles, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic and

industrial activities to which people are exposed, especially in residential areas, public parks or

other quiet closed areas, in quiet areas, in open areas, near schools, hospitals and other noise-

sensitive areas and buildings”.2 The main sources of environmental noise are: urban traffic,

industry, trade, construction and noise in service buildings, neighbors near home, entertainment

activities.3 Environmental noise has been on the rise and the situation is becoming problematic,

especially at night resulting in rates above the European Union’s allowed.

Albania is ranked 23rd among 98 countries analyzed by Numbeo for noise pollution index.4

In Tirana the capital of Albania, the trend of noise pollution over the last years (2010-2017) results

in significantly higher values, reaching over 70 dB b y day and 63 dB by night. These values are

higher than the rates recommended by the World Health Organization and the European Union at

55 dB as acceptable values for population health.5 Noise peak is reached in the Lapraka area at 73.8

dB during the day, while EU permitted rates should be 55 dB per day. After Tirana, the cities of

Durres, Fier, Shkodra, Vlora, Saranda and Korça are listed. The causes of high levels of

environmental noise are: the large influx of vehicles moving during the day and night making a

major contribution to increasing acoustic pollution; movement of heavy vehicles above 10 tonnes;

significant shortage of temporary or permanent parking spaces; outdated motor condition of

vehicles in circulation etc.6 Enhancing sound pollution is unbearable, because it has negative effects

on health. It also affects future generations and has implications for socio-cultural, physical and

1 Stela Mecaj - Law Department, University “Ismail Qemali” Vlora, Albania, stela.mecaj@yahoo.com.

2 Raporti “Vlerësimi i prevalencës së çrregullimeve të gjumit dhe bezdisjes së popullatës nga zhurmat e trafikut urban në qytet et

kryesore të Shqipërisë”, pg. iv. Marrë nga adresa http://www.ishp.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Raporti-i-vleresimit-te-

crregullimeve-te-gjumit-dhe-bezdisjes-sepopullates-nga-zhurma-e-trafikut-rrugor.pdf. (consulted on 30.07.2019).

3 Ibid., pg. 4-5.

4 Ndotja akustike, Shqipëria e 23-a mes 98 vendeve, një projekt kundër “borive”. Marrë nga adresa: https://www.monitor.al/ndotja-

akustike-shqiperia-e-23-mes-98-vendeve-nje-projekt-kunder-borive/, 06/03/2018. Aksesuar më (consulted on 30.07.2019).

5 Botim periodik i Qendrës Rajonale të Mjedisit (REC) - Shqipëri, Mjedisi Sot, Nr. 155, 2018, pg. 14.

6 Marrë nga adresa: https://www.monitor.al/ne-kryeqytetin-e-zhurmes/. Aksesuar më (consulted on 30.07.2019).