THE PROBLEM OF NOISE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 7

THE PROBLEM OF NOISE

Efforts at Abatement In Britain

NEW ORGANISATION’S WORK

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received August 29. 5.5 p.m.)

Rugby; August 28.

The Anti-noise League, established last year with influential support. in eluding that of leading medica. men. has Issued its first annual report, which records the valuable help receives from the National Physical Laboratory, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and industrial firms and others engaged in experimental work on the problem of noise. Many local authorities have adapted a new mode] by-law controlling wireless loudspeakers, and at least one authority has agreed to the addition of the cost of silencers on road drills to contractors’- estimates. Milk distributors are co-operating in the campaign, and silent electric vans or pneumatic-ally-tired horse-driven vans are rtplacing the older types, while rublier devices are being used to deaden the noise of the gla'ss and metal containers. The report says that the develop ment of a public opinion insistent on action to eliminate unnecessary noise and the co-operation of experts who understand the causes of noise with the public who suffer from its effects are the two aims of the league.

EFFICIENCY REDUCED Effect of Noise on People “Dominion” Special Service.—B.v Air Mail. London, August 10. Dominion visitors to England who have been to continental capitals would be forced to agree that London is easily the quietest of all. Yet London is at war with noise. Annoyance caused by noise is coming within the category of a legal trespass. More local authorities are taking advantage of parliamentary sanction to pass by-laws to make unnecessary noise a punishable offence. A Government committee which has been sitting for several months is expected to recommend the elimination of noise in all mechanically propelled vehicles —including more efficient silencers on engines and less strident motor horns. It is probable that existing legislation for dealing with street noises will be strengthened as the result of these recommendations. More and more attention is being paid to the nuisance caused by the blare of radio and loud speakers Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington. Middlesex, are waging a ceaseless war against noise. Experiments are being made in special test chambers. It has been found that 20 per cent, more energy is required by people working under noisy conditions. The efficiency of the typist, for Instance, is impaired by 71 per cent, when working in a noisy’ office.

Experiments made upon rats showed that their rate of growth was impeded by 10 per cent, when subjected to continuous noise.

At the National Physical Laboratory they are experimenting to find the silent'house, so that noises from barking of dogs and the slamming of car doors can be eliminated. The completely noiseless house has actually been built. The insulation of walls and floors with rubber, the provision of air-condition-ing. which obviates the necessity _ of the open window, are the principal features.

Contributions toward the elimination of noise that have already been made are:—Silent road drills at Westminster: rubber-tyred wheel-barrows on railway stations: silent mulk ch,urn for railway stations, semi-silent propeller for aeroplanes.

Experiments made by the London Transport Board prove that noises on underground trains could be eliminated 'f the public would believe that the open window is unnecessary. Air-con-ditioning would enable all the windows to be closed —and still provide fresh air.