On the "Day against Noise" on April 29, 2026, attention will be drawn to the effects of noise on our health.

Noise is not just a nuisance

Noise is not just annoying and a cause of sleep disorders - its effects on our health go far beyond that: cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, mental health problems and even premature deaths can be attributed to noise.

Chronic exposure to traffic noise contributes to around 73,000 premature deaths across Europe every year. In addition, traffic noise is associated with around 49,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease and around 23,000 new cases of type 2 diabetes per year. New research also shows that traffic noise can contribute to thousands of cases of depression and dementia across Europe.

Children and young people also suffer from excessive Noise: learning delays, cognitive impairments or an increased risk of obesity are among the possible consequences. These effects also have an impact on their adult lives.

Compared to other environmental health hazards, traffic noise is one of the most significant health risks in Europe - right after air pollution.

In contrast, rest promotes physical and mental recovery: the body relaxes during rest, blood pressure drops, stress symptoms decrease and the ability to concentrate increases. Rest is therefore a precious, natural resource that is essential for our health. This makes access to quiet, public places all the more important - especially for people who live in noisy environments.

Such retreats not only offer recreation, but also promote social interaction. It is therefore important to protect, promote and create quiet recreational areas close to residential areas with careful planning - for our well-being and our health.

Where our body's stress reactions come from

The human organism and its hearing are adapted to the soundscape of a long-gone natural landscape. Loud and unfamiliar noises used to serve as a warning signal and triggered a heightened state of alert or readiness to flee or fight. The soundscape has changed fundamentally in the meantime: Today, we are almost constantly exposed to a multitude of technical noises. However, our body still reacts to disturbing and loud noises as it did in prehistoric times. The resulting stress reactions impair our well-being and health.

What Noise Costs

The problem of noise pollution must also be considered from an Economic Affairs Division perspective. In Switzerland, the total noise costs due to traffic (road, rail, Air) amounted to around CHF 3 billion in 2022. Converted to Liechtenstein's population and deducting air traffic, which is not relevant here, this results in annual noise costs of around CHF 13 million for Liechtenstein. This figure includes noise-related health costs and loss of property value. The health costs include the costs of treatment, loss of production and reoccupation as well as intangible costs such as the reduction in quality of life. These costs must be borne by the general public and are not incurred by the polluters.

What everyone can do

The importance of noise reduction measures and the preservation and creation of quiet recreational areas is undisputed. At the same time, we can all contribute to a quieter environment. The most effective way to reduce noise is always to limit noise emissions at source: choosing appropriate means of transportation, respecting quiet times, using low-noise vehicles and equipment, etc. Taking a critical look at our own noise production is already a first step towards a quieter future - for all of us.

Further information on this year's Day against Noise and past campaigns can be found on this page: www.tag-gegen-laerm.ch

Press contact:

Office of Environment
Ivo Berger, Division Environmental Protection
T +423 236 65 52
Ivo.Berger@llv.li