As countries around the world introduce varying levels of restrictions on movements, are there unexplored benefits to these measures? As Ireland enters a contentious second period of lockdown, it can be difficult to see the side benefits of the restrictions, however, there are several, not …
Building better environments
We keep an eye on issues around the world that affect people and property in the built environment.
University of Michigan, together with Apple Inc., highlights human exposure to noise
People’s exposure to environmental noise halved during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions, according to researchers who analysed data from the recently published Apple Hearing Study. People’s exposure to environmental noise halved during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic and …
Has the air pollution fight been forgotten amid pandemic?
According to a recently published article by Cork-based journalist Darragh Bermingham, the air pollution fight has been forgotten amid the pandemic. Cork is a county in Ireland that has been ascribed the unfortunate handle of being one of the most polluted places on the planet …
Irish EPA Publishes Air Quality Annual Report to Coincide with World Lung Day 2020
September 25th marks World Lung Day 2020 and it is a fitting time for Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish its annual Air Quality Report for 2019. Today, September 25th, marks World Lung Day 2020 and it is a fitting time for Ireland’s Environmental …
How Coronavirus is Changing the Air Quality Conversation
Air quality has become an increasingly topical conversation for cities and citizens in response to emerging coronavirus research linking poor air quality to significantly poorer health outcomes for those experiencing the symptoms of Covid-19. Air quality has become an increasingly topical conversation for cities and …
The Invisible Threat of Noise Pollution
What are the hidden dangers of noise pollution and how can we protect ourselves? Rosie Frost of Living recently published an article titled ‘The invisible threat of noise pollution: How do we protect quiet?’ about the hidden dangers of noise pollution and how we can …
The least human-made noise pollution in recorded history
It has certainly been a challenging few months. The team here at Sonitus Systems – like most people – have welcomed any positive news stories emerging from the recent crisis. It has certainly been a challenging few months. The team here at Sonitus Systems – …
Coronavirus Disrupts Crucial Air Quality Research
Everything we know about the levels of air pollution on a global scale and the impacts of these on human health comes from scientific research and ongoing studies. This work is critical, so it is perhaps unsurprising that the following article… The quality of the …
Real-Time Noise Monitoring for Smart Cities
As cities around the world start to tentatively re-open, it is inevitable that noise levels will increase alongside these increased levels of human, traffic and industrial activity. As cities around the world start to tentatively re-open, it is inevitable that noise levels will increase alongside …
Noise & the Smart City Agenda
While there are many definitions of what a smart city is or ought to be, my personal favourite is one that describes a smart city as… What is a so-called ‘Smart City’? While there are many definitions of what a smart city is or ought …