Professor Marianne Zeller from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France, has been leading research into the health impacts of noise. Her initial study, known as ENVI-MI, analysed data from 864 patients who had been hospitalised following a heart attack and survived for at least 28 days post-event. The findings were striking, revealing that exposure to just 10 decibels (dB) of nighttime noise increased the risk of subsequent serious cardiovascular events by as much as 25%.

The increased risk was found to be independent of air pollution levels, the patient's socio-economic status, and other risk factors. A whole night's sleep is essential for the body to function correctly. This study from France adds to the growing evidence that noise and light pollution at night pose a significant threat to human health.

From January 2025, Poland will implement higher penalties for causing excessive noise. However, the question remains: will these measures be sufficient to improve quality of life?

In August, the Ministry of Climate and Environment issued a notice detailing new penalties for exceeding noise standards. The changes will not be drastic, with penalties increasing by approximately 10%. Legal noise limits vary depending on location and circumstances. For example, the permissible noise level for residential buildings, hotels, and boarding houses is 40 dB during the day and 30 dB at night—30 dB equivalent to a whisper, while normal conversation reaches around 60 dB.

According to the Warszawpigulce.pl portal, loud music, which can reach up to 120 dB, could result in fines amounting to several thousand zlotys for noisy events in the city. Excessive noise can be reported to the Environmental Inspectorates. Requests for intervention can be submitted online via a form on the Chief Environmental Inspectorate's website.