  Noise pollution is considered to be the third most hazardous pollution after
air and water pollution by the World Health Organization (WHO). Short as well
as long-term exposure to noise pollution has several adverse effects on humans,
ranging from psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression,
hypertension, hormonal dysfunction, and blood pressure rise leading to
cardiovascular disease. One of the major sources of noise pollution is road
traffic. The WHO reports that around 40% of Europe's population are currently
exposed to high noise levels. This study investigates noise pollution in
Dublin, Ireland before and after the lockdown imposed as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis was performed using 2020 hourly data from 12
noise monitoring stations. More than 80% of stations recorded high noise levels
for more that 60% of the time before the lockdown in Dublin. However, a
significant reduction in average and minimum noise levels was observed at all
stations during the lockdown period and this can be attributed to reductions in
both road and air traffic movements.
