The whole of Europe suffers from noise pollution, but in Greece the decibels break every limit. Above 100 millions of Europeans suffer from harmful noise levels, according to a recent survey by the European Environment Agency. Noise pollution, according to the EEA, is considered one of the most fundamental environmental and health problems in Europe, with transport being the main culprit, mainly road transport. The noise from the streets bombards the hearing approx 100 million citizens in 33 countries of Europe (countries outside the EU also participate in the EEA.), with levels exceeding 55 decibels (dB) on the day and 50 dB at night. In fact, 32 millions of people are estimated to be exposed to very high levels of noise pollution, above the 65 dB, due to proximity to roads. Railroads and airplanes (around major airports) affect 19 and 4,1 million people respectively, while the noise from the factories reaches a million people.

Noise pollution from road transport is rated by the World Health Organization as the second most serious environmental stressor in Europe, after air pollution. Stress due to noise, during the day but also during the night and sleep (which is particularly aggravating), connected to overcurrent, sleep disorders, cognitive dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, even with premature deaths.

For’ that in many European cities noise pollution is treated as a very serious problem and special measures are taken to limit it. From the special provision for low speeds within cities, sound barriers on highways and railway lines, when they pass close by residential areas, but also the reduction of speed limits in similar cases.