|
Dear Noise Project supporter,
|
We're thrilled to report the New York Times has covered noise in Providence for the second time in less than 2 years* — in stark contrast to the Boston Globe’s RI bureau.
|
The Times’ story ran in Wednesday’s real estate section, in a feature called “Calculator” that uses charts and graphs of data to depict residential issues. The article headline is “Is Your Neighborhood Noisy? You’re Not Alone,” followed by the sub-headline “Excessive noise can ruin the quality of life at home and negatively impact health.”
|
The article cites the Noise Project’s efforts to reduce unhealthy and unnecessary noise levels in Providence, as well as other cities’s approaches to various noise sources, noting that noise complaints are the most prevalent reports to NY City’s 311 system.
|
|
It also cites an issue that we’ve been raising for years, which is the noise tax that residents must pay (including through city and state taxes) to try to reduce their exposure to deliberate noise — ranging from noise-canceling earphones and white-noise machines to being forced to run fans or air-conditioners (at considerable cost) due to closed windows to the additional costs of housing in quieter neighborhoods to the indirect healthcare costs and lower tax assessments in louder areas of the city.
|
Despite claims by noise denialists, violating PVD noise limits is not a “victimless” crime.
|
The article also notes that “Research confirms that noise can increase hypertension, stroke and heart attack risk, cause hearing disorders such as hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hyperacusis (noise induced pain); and badly affect mental health.” It also affects sleep, one of the most important health components, and affects child development and learning, and exacerbates dementia in elderly residents. This is why the Noise Project describes noise as first and foremost a public health issue.
|
The article also cites comments from Providence residents who've filled out our Community Noise Survey, and the survey data we’ve posted in graphical form showing what the survey submissions tell us about noise sources and responses in the city. The primary data feature of the article is a re-printing of our chart showing what PVD residents do to try to reduce their exposure to excessive noise:
|
- Close window(s) — 77%
- Use fan / white noise while sleeping — 52%
- Raise volume of TV / radio / music — 46%
- Go inside home or apartment — 42%
- Move to a quieter room — 34%
- Leave neighborhood temporarily — 33%
- Wear earplugs while sleeping — 27%
- Use noise-canceling headphones — 21%
All of that content comes from you and your neighbors, so you can now tell family and friends that you've been covered in the New York Times. Keep your comments coming!
|
What you can do: 1) Contact Mayor Smiley and ask him why, after over three years in office, it’s still much too loud in Providence. 2) Contact your City Council member and ask them what they are doing or will do to reduce noise levels. And 3) contact the Boston Globe’s local RI bureau, which claims to cover our state and is based in PVD, and ask them why they won’t cover the noise you experience daily! And please “cc” the Noise Project’s info@ e-mail address whenever you write to city officials or the media.
|
Let us know if you have any questions about anything in the Times story, residential noise, the Noise Project’s programs and activities, or anything else noise-related.
|
|
|
|
|
If you’d like to help the Noise Project address excessive and unhealthy noise from residential or other sources, please fill out our volunteer intake form. If you prefer to contribute in other ways, please contact us and let us know how you’d like to help.
|
|
|
|
Thank you for supporting our efforts to create a quieter
and healthier PVD for all of its residents and visitors!
|
“Noise is the New Smoking”
|
|
|
|
|