Noise pollution: Difficult to address violations.
Noise pollution is a crucial component of the environmental protection laws and regulations, with specific rules and penalties for violations. However, in reality, it is difficult to define noise pollution levels precisely, resulting in many people enduring constant noise without any viable solutions.
(Baonghean.vn)Noise pollution is a crucial component of the environmental protection laws and regulations, with specific rules and penalties for violations. However, in reality, it is difficult to define noise pollution levels precisely, resulting in many people enduring constant noise without any viable solutions.
The 2005 Environmental Protection Law clearly stipulates standards for noise and vibration levels for vehicles, production and business establishments, service activities, construction work, etc. In addition, Circular No. 39/2010 of...
The noise emanating from the carpentry workshop is bothering the people living nearby.
Accordingly, the maximum permissible noise limits (based on equivalent sound levels) are clearly defined as follows: Between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM, the maximum permissible noise limit in special areas is 55 DBA, and in general areas is 70 DBA. Between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, the maximum permissible noise limit in special areas is 45 DBA, and in general areas is 55 DBA (special areas are those within the boundaries of medical facilities, libraries, kindergartens, schools, churches, temples, pagodas, and other areas with specific regulations; general areas include: apartment buildings, detached or semi-detached houses, hotels, guesthouses, administrative offices, etc.).
Along with establishing specific regulations, the law also includes penalties for violations of noise pollution laws. Government Decree 117/2009/ND-CP dated December 31, 2009, clearly states that fines range from 2 million to 100 million VND depending on the severity of the noise violation, and also includes stricter penalties such as revocation of business licenses and professional permits.
Despite existing regulations and penalties, considered quite stringent compared to other environmental pollution standards, enforcement is not simple in reality. In Nghe An province, noise pollution occurs everywhere, at all times. In the city, the most prominent sources of noise pollution are from road and rail traffic, and entertainment venues.
Even within Vinh City, residents living along major roads with high traffic volume suffer daily from the deafening roar of vehicles, occasionally assaulted by the ear-splitting honking of heavy trucks. This affects their mental and physical well-being, often disrupting sleep, causing stress, and neurasthenia.
Furthermore, in Vinh City, particularly around bars, nightclubs, and shopping malls, residents have often become accustomed to living with noise pollution, unaware that they themselves are the ones who deserve protection under the law on noise pollution control. Their only response is to cover their ears and stay indoors with their doors tightly shut, not knowing who to complain to.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Tran Phuc Thinh - Team Leader of Team 2, Environmental Crime Prevention Department of the Provincial Police: Handling noise pollution violations is currently very difficult. Authorities have received numerous complaints from residents regarding noise pollution from carpentry workshops, sawmills, and mechanical workshops located near residential areas, but they have only been able to issue warnings to reduce noise, rather than imposing fines.
Currently, the Traffic Control Center (CSMT) is not equipped with devices to monitor noise levels, and even if it were, it would be very difficult to handle reported violations because by the time authorities arrive to inspect, the violators have already turned off their vehicles. Therefore, the most feasible solution at present is limited to raising awareness and reminding people about the issues causing public concern, while the problem of noise pollution from traffic remains uncontrollable.
Dang Nguyen
