Noise from nightclubs and concerts will be included in noise pollution guidelines for the first time in what some are calling an assault on the night-time economy.
The World Health Organisation will include the noise, which they claim is blighting the lives of many people, alongside road traffic, railway and aircraft noise.
The new guidelines also include pubs, fitness classes, live sporting events and people listening to loud music through personal listening devices.
The WHO guidance aims to protect people from harmful exposure to environmental noise and recommends a maximum level of 70db on average across the year.
It adds that noise is one of the top environmental hazards to both physical and mental health and well-being.
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Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHOs regional director for Europe, said: Noise pollution in our towns and cities is increasing, blighting the lives of many European citizens.
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More than a nuisance, excessive noise is a health risk – contributing to cardiovascular diseases, for example.
We need to act on the many sources of noise pollution – from motorized vehicles to loud nightclubs and concerts – to protect our health.
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The new WHO guidelines define exposure levels to noise that should not be exceeded to minimize adverse health effects and we urge European policy-makers to make good use of this guidance for the benefit of all Europeans.
The document sets noise levels which have significant impacts on health and recommends how peoples exposure can be reduced.
Professor Stephen Stansfeld from Queen Mary University of London, who was chairman of the Guidelines Development Group, added: These guidelines have been developed based on the growing body of evidence in the field of environmental noise research.
They aim to support public health policy that will protect communities from the adverse effects of noise, as well as stimulate further research into the health effects of different types of noise.
The decision may undermine plans by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who appointed the capitals first night czar Amy Lamé to help champion and protect the night time economy as part of his vision of a 24-hour city – which included introducing the Night Tube.
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