An Introduction to Psychoacoustics
Our perception of sound and noise can be based on much more than just the loudness of the sound. To understand how we perceive sound we need to delve into the area of psychoacoustics.
Open-Plan Offices and Chronic Noise
A new study looking at the average noise levels in offices has found that open-plan offices may be a significant contributor to employee stress levels.
Cork and Dublin Show Promising Results in Latest EEA Report
New data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that despite half of European cities still suffering from poor air quality, Dublin and Cork have cleaner air than average.
How Environmental Noise Harms the Cardiovascular System
While the world became quieter during periods of pandemic lockdowns in major cities, as businesses start to reopen and something resembling normal life resumes, so too will noise.
Preparing for a return to noisy workplaces
As cities all around the world ease workers back into workplaces, building owners and managers are looking at ways to make this transition easier for people.
How Google is Mapping Air Quality Across Europe
Over the past few years, Google has been fitting many of their Street View cars - which are a familiar sight in towns and cities all around the world - with pollution sensors designed to track air quality in urban areas.
Heart Healthy Cities Enabled By Tech
The smart cities conversation has moved on. Leading city managers and local governments are now focusing on healthy cities, and heart healthy cities in particular, enabled by tech.
Impact of Air Quality on Property Transactions
Air quality is becoming just as much of an issue for would-be home buyers as other environmental concerns, like flood risk and land contamination, when it comes to buying a home.
Influence of the pandemic on smart city projects
How have the changes brought about by the pandemic impacted on government projects for Smart Cities?
Impact of noise pollution - an invisible threat?
Still some distance to travel to tackle the effects of noise pollution.
Public Consultation for Extension of Ireland's Smoky Fuels Ban
Positive moves by Irish government to tackle air pollution
Is neighbour noise the next pandemic pain?
Noise reduction is one of the few benefits of the global pandemic, but there is also a downside.
Global Actions to Control Noise
Last month, Noise News International published the first in a series of articles by Walter Montano documenting the history of global actions seeking to control noise.
Breathing Clean Air Now Recognised as a Fundamental Human Right
A stark headline in the UK publication The Guardian earlier this month cautioned that 'Air pollution will lead to mass migration'.
The Increased Importance of Indoor Air Quality Monitoring in 2021
There has been an increased awareness of - and emphasis on - the monitoring of indoor air quality over recent years and this awareness heightened over the past 10 months, in the context of Covid-19.
The role of acoustics in supporting employee wellbeing
Tackling noise in the workplace comes down to understanding the basic principles of effective acoustics and incorporating these into interior design and fitout materials.
Clean Air Week 2020 & the Work of Ireland's EPA
Clean Air Week is an annual, global, awareness-raising campaign designed to inform and educate members of the public about the quality of air in their region and the importance of protecting and, indeed improving that.
The Evolving Role of Buildings in Supporting Health & Wellbeing
How can sensor technology be integrated into building designs to help promote the comfort and wellbeing of the people that use them?
The Next Wave of Smart Buildings
Smart buildings are full of devices that are entirely dumb until they are connected to the internet. It is the connectedness that makes a smart building smart.
Reduced Noise Pollution is One Important Side Benefit of Covid-19 Restrictions
As countries around the world introduce varying levels of restrictions on movements, are there unexplored benefits to these measures?
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Invisible Threat of Noise Pollution
What are the hidden dangers of noise pollution and how can we protect ourselves?
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.
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...
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.
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...
Environmental Monitoring: Priorities for Construction Managers
Last week, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) DigiCon 2020 aired live online for the first time. Sonitus Systems hosted the round table discussion on 'Environmental Monitoring: Priorities for Construction Managers'.
Neighbours See Red as Construction Hours Extended
Earlier this month we published an article confirming that construction companies operating in Ireland have been given de facto permission to continue to work outside of regular or permitted construction hours.
Environmental Monitoring: Guidance from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Earlier this month, the Government published the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to help the country through easing lockdown restrictions on a phased basis.
Air Quality and the Coronavirus
The increased awareness of the impact of air quality, and the importance of improving air quality, has led to a spate of smart cities around the world capturing and making available (in real time) air quality information for citizens.
Sonitus Systems: What the Pandemic Sounds Like
What does a city sound like? Sounds synonymous with cities include public transport, traffic, vehicle horns, sirens from busy emergency services, street traders, laughter and general bustle, however, it now appears that that is not the full story.
Environmental Monitoring for Compliant Construction Sites
Environmental monitoring has become an increasingly onerous function for urban construction site owners and managers, specifically: noise, dust and vibration monitoring.
AVA Monitoring Case Study
New case study with our Scandinavian distributor AVA Monitoring, based in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Sonitus Systems: In Conversation with Dr. Eoin A. King
We catch up with Kildare native, Eoin Anthony King, remotely as Covid-19 restrictions remain in place for Ireland, the US and for many countries across the world.
Covid 19: Improved Air Quality in Ireland
In late 2019, prior to Covid-19 warnings, the Environmental Protection Agency found that the air quality in parts of Ireland was likely to breach EU and World Health Organisation guidelines, despite the country meeting EU air quality standards.
As our towns and cities quieten, how is this likely to affect our noise tolerance in the future?
As towns and cities around the globe fall eerily silent, it is worth reflecting upon our relationship with noise and its impact on our daily lives.
Covid 19: Smartcities Empowering Residents with Air Quality Data
As a direct result of the lockdown and reduced economic activity to combat the spread of Covid-19, improved air quality and reduced air pollution has been reported across China, Italy and Spain.
Air Quality and the Coronavirus
In a week of terror-inducing headlines and media features, this one about air quality was not the most significant... unless you have been paying attention to global reporting about deteriorating air quality right across the world.
Dublin City Council Gives Residents & Visitors Noise & Air Quality Insights
All Dublin residents and visitors to the city can now access real time data on the quality of the air they breathe and on the noise levels in their neighbourhoods thanks to a newly launched website.
Dublin pledges to improve air quality by 2030
Dublin City Council has pledged to address air quality concerns and to improve air quality by 2030.
Have you met...Sherlock?
This week at Sonitus Systems, we would like to introduce you to our newest team member.
Air pollution responsible for half of childhood asthma cases in Barcelona
As reported in a recent article by Pippa Neill in Air Quality News, air pollution is to blame for almost half of all asthma attacks in children in the city of Barcelona.
Asia's Poor Air Quality is Cause For Concern
Quite a few countries and cities in Asia are struggling with air quality and thus potentially causing a myriad of health implications to residents.
One of the most air-polluted places on the planet is in Ireland
According to a recently published article by Darragh Bermingham on EchoLIVE.ie, Cork is one of the most air-polluted places on the planet.
Fresh objections to Tayto Park rollercoaster despite 14 noise reduction measures
Nuisance noise and the threat or prospect of more noise from this theme park favourite has been the cause of local residents objecting to previous planning applications for a new €15.5 million rollercoaster.
Noise Limit Rules for Wind Farms
The Irish public has now been asked to provide feedback on the wind energy development guidelines recently published by the Government.
Public Consultation On Smoky Fuel Ban Planned
According to recent reports, the Irish government is set to ask citizens if they want to ban the burning of all smoky fuels including turf, peat, wood and coal.
Quieter Rollercoaster Proposed for Tayto Park
Earlier this summer Tayto Park found themselves making news headlines when they were denied planning permission for a €14 million rollercoaster...
Air Quality in Ireland and Europe
As we head into the depths of winter, high levels of fine particulate matter (PM) - typically associated with the burning of smoky solid fuel - increases.
Railway Noise Monitoring
It has been reported that neighbours are struggling to sleep due to nearby train noise and vibrations, which are rattling their homes and causing sleep disruption.
Aircraft noise and protecting communities
Proposed changes to noise regulations at Dublin Airport could mean big changes for local residents and the airport management alike.
Construction Noise Monitoring on Large Scale Projects
According to the European Environment Agency, environmental noise contributes to up to 12,000 premature deaths in Europe each year. Construction noise in particular can cause a myriad of problems, especially for local residents.
Halloween Noise Monitoring
While the main event may now be over, bangers and bonfires are likely to take a few days to fully fizzle out.
Air Quality Monitoring With Sonitus Systems
According to latest reports, parts of Dublin city centre are likely to breach EU and World Health Organisation guidelines for air quality in 2019, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Nuisance noise is no longer an acceptable part of city living
According to a recent article in the Irish Examiner, almost 4,000 complaints have been lodged over noise from Dublin Airport in the first half of 2019.
Industrial Noise Monitoring
Noise is one of the most pervasive and underestimated hazards in the modern workplace.
Finding Some Tranquility in an Increasingly Noisy World
The world is growing increasingly noisy and action is needed for people to protect their hearing.
Noise Monitoring and Concerts
If you are attending concerts in Ireland (or anywhere), it is advised that you wear some sort of hearing protection due to the high sound levels usually above 85 decibels at a concert.
Sonitus Systems' Paul McDonald appears on Newstalk
Paul McDonald of Sonitus Systems recently appeared on Jess Kelly's Tech Talk show on Newstalk to discuss noise and the challenges it poses.
If the birds are struggling to communicate and the mussels are stressed, how is noise affecting us?
Latest research from Queen's University shows that man-made sounds mask signals between birds, hampering their ability to communicate with each other through song.
Tayto Park €14m rollercoaster refused due to noise impact on residents
A €14m rollercoaster for Tayto Park has been refused due to the noise implications and impact on four local residents.
Mid-year check in from the team at Sonitus Systems
It has been a particularly busy time for our growing team here at Sonitus Systems...
Sonitus Systems' Paul McDonald on iPropertyRadio
Paul McDonald of Sonitus Systems recently appeared on iPropertyRadio to discuss Smart Cities.
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