Green group criticizes gov’t background noise standard

The Macau government has published a directory of outdoor background noises that serves as part of the Prevention and Control of Environmental Noise Law (the Noise Law).
However, a local environmental group, Green Future, has argued that the directory does not take into account the differences between districts in Macau.
According to the Government Gazette, the background noise directory will come into force on February 22 next year, alongside the Noise Law.
The outdoor background noise reference in the Macau Peninsula will be 60dB in daytime and 53dB at nighttime.
The daytime noise range for Taipa and Cotai will be set at 56dB and 55dB respectively, while the numbers drop to 50dB and 48dB respectively at night.
The noise ranges for Coloane are the lowest, with 55dB in daytime and 44dB at nighttime. The directory will be reviewed once every five years.
However, Green Future vice-president Yun Ka Ho told TDM that the authorities failed to consider the fact that different areas on the Macau Peninsula might have different levels of background noise, saying that a more detailed directory should be established. He also pointed out that the government did not differentiate between low frequency and high frequency noises.
Meanwhile, professor Wang Zhishi from the University of Macau thinks that the directory announced is quite reasonable.
Nevertheless, he argued that the government should gradually strengthen noise restrictions to comply with Macau’s goal of becoming an international destination for tourism and leisure.
Professor Wang also pointed out that one of the major sources of noise in Macau is the traffic. Therefore, he suggested that the authorities can use more parks in urban areas to both reduce the traffic noise and air pollution. JPL