Music or noise pollution? Health ministry will not restrict outdoor concerts
Under pressure to decide the never-ending battle between outdoor concert organizers and local residents regarding excessive noise, the Czech Health Ministry has ruled in favour of the culture scene. In a statement published on its web page, the ministry argues that short-term exposure to loud music is a nuisance, rather than a health risk.
The arrival of summer heralds a string of music festivals, concerts and outdoor events – all highly anticipated by music lovers and dreaded by local residents, who have to put up with high decibel levels whether they like it or not. In recent years, the residents of Prague's Braník district, a popular location for outdoor concerts, have repeatedly complained to the town hall and health ministry about excessive noise pollution.
In a statement on its web page at the start of the new concert season, the health ministry made it clear it would not bar short-term outdoor music events in populated areas on the grounds of excessive noise pollution.
"Since the noise pollution from public music productions is predominantly short-term, with sporadic exposures, a health-based decibel limit cannot be set. Moreover, the relationship between such short-term and sporadic exposures and long-term health effects has not been sufficiently investigated," the ministry said.
It cites a health study according to which one in ten people are significantly more sensitive to loud noise and about the same number are significantly insensitive, which makes it difficult to set an objective limit.
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According to the ministry, it is necessary to distinguish between constant exposure to higher noise levels such as that of people living close to highways or in high-risk professions, which present a real health hazard, and a short-term concert which may be a nuisance but is not a health risk.
Basically, the ministry argues that strict adherence to the set noise limits would lead to a cultural shutdown, not just in Prague, but around the country –barring productions such as concerts, music festivals, pilgrimages, fairs, and even Advent concerts.
“If the set hygiene limits for stationary noise sources were applied to public music productions they would always be exceeded and strict compliance with these limits would then automatically result in fines and the closure of the event in question, leading to a severe restriction of the cultural, social and sporting life of the community, " the ministry argues.
The ministry’s verdict is very similar to the conclusions reached at Prague City Hall, which has also received complaints from hundreds of citizens. Previous attempts to issue a decree restricting loud noise at outdoor events were thwarted by loud protests from concert organizers and artists, who warned about the devastating impact of a "cultural shutdown" in Prague.
So with the start of the festival season, residents who are sensitive to high decibel levels will have to resort to earplugs and find solace in the thought that they are living in a city teeming with culture.
