First Flemish Sound Measurement Day assesses impact noise on health

Wednesday sees the first Flemish Sound Measurement Day (Vlaamse Geluidmeetdag), a follow-up to the citizen study “De Oorzaak”. By linking up with Dutch research, it will be possible to draw comparisons between the Flemish and Dutch sound landscapes. The cross-border initiative takes place on the International Noise Awareness Day, which draws global attention to the impact of noise on health and well-being.

On Wednesday, Dutch and Flemish citizens are invited to carry out sound measurements and share their sound experiences on that day via the De Oorzaak app. “This will make it possible for the first time to directly compare the soundscapes in Flanders and the Netherlands,” stated Jonas Lembrechts of Utrecht University. “We want to make people more aware of the impact of noise on their living environment.”

De Oorzaak was a Flemish citizen study by the University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital and newspaper De Morgen. Thousands of Flemish people have already mapped sound levels in their local areas. The study revealed that sound not only varies greatly by location, but is also experienced very differently: what one person finds disturbing is described by others as pleasant.

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“Now the researchers from De Oorzaak are joining forces with Klankbord in the Netherlands,” Lembrechts explained. “This is how we are organising a cross-border edition. At the same time, this provides us with valuable data on how sound is measured and experienced in Flanders and the Netherlands. Does it sound different under the flight path of Brussels Airport than around Schiphol?”

Anyone in Flanders and Brussels can take part in the Flemish Sound Measurement Day via the De Oorzaak app. After downloading it, participants need to calibrate the app and take a few short sound walks. On 29 April, they should carry out one or more measurements in their outdoor environment and answer questions about their sound experience.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Busy urban scene © PHOTO BELGIAN_FREELANCE/Werner Lerooy}

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