Identification of monitoring stations for noise levels in Durrës city, Albania

Abstract

Abstract This paper represents a noise pollution survey in Durrës city, Albania. There are four survey areas defined: A (central), B (industrial), C (suburban), D (residential + beach) during two intervals times (morning and night). The equipment used for noise measurement was Testo 816-1 where data were categorized according to levels L eq , L min, L max, and L ave . The contrast of L eq levels versus the standard levels based on the 2002/49/EC Directive showed that L eq levels overcome the limits. In conclusion, the high equivalent noise level mostly has been during the morning with L eq > 55 dB, which brings serious health concerns to residents near these regions. At night in most of these stations, the equivalent noise levels resulted higher than 45 dB, which is above EU directive and Albanian standards. The survey results will also serve local institutions to manage the situation and to address problems at the governmental level.