Report On the State of the Environment In China
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Index
Preface

Acoustic Environment

General Situation

Ratings of equivalent sound level of road traffic noise of the 47 National Key Cities on Environmental Protection in 2004 and a comparison with that of 2003

Road Traffic Noise: Among the 328 cities (towns)monitored, 167 cities (50.9%) had good urban road traffic acoustic environment, 109 cities (33.2%) had fairly good acoustic environment on road, 32 cities (9.8%) registered light noise pollution while 14 cities (4.3%) and 6 cities (1.8%) respectively recorded medium noise pollution and heavy noise pollution. 

 

State of Acoustic Environment of Urban Traffic Noise

Of the 47 national key cities on environmental protection, the monitored road length totaled 6,903.0km, of which the equivalent sound level of 2,124.7km exceeded 70 dB(A), accounting for 30.8% of the total length. The average equivalent sound level fell into the range between 63.8~72.3 dB(A) and the weighted average of sound level on the length road was 68.8 dB(A). 

Note: In the above Figure, Re. stands for relatively; LP for light pollution; MP for medium pollution and HP for heavy pollution

Among the 47 national key cities of environmental protection, 16 cities (34.0%) enjoyed good acoustic environment on urban road traffic, 29 cities (61.8%) had fairly good environment while 1city had light noise pollution (LP) and 1 medium pollution (MP), respectively taking up 2.1% of the total. 

Judging by the change of 1 dB(A) of average equivalent sound level, among the 47 national key cities of environmental protection, the acoustic environment on road traffic of Kunming and Lasa improved while that of Shanghai and Yinchuan declined compared with the previous year.

Urban Area Environmental Noise    Among the 312 cities (counties) monitored, 16 cities (5.2%) enjoyed good area-wide acoustic environment, 178 cities (57.1%) had fairly good environment while 108 cities (34.6%) were under slight pollution, 9 cities (2.9%) as medium or intermediate pollution and 1 city (0.3%) with heavy pollution (HP). 

The range of equivalent sound level of area-wide environmental noise of the 47 national key cities on environmental protection was between 51 dB(A) ~ 58 dB(A) and the weighted area average of the equivalent sound level was 54.8 dB(A). 

The quality of urban area acoustic environment of the 47 national key cities on environmental protection (Lhasa was not monitored) was fairly good or under slight pollution. 26 cities (56.5%) had fairly good area-wide acoustic environment and 20 cities were under slight pollution, accounting for 43.5%. 

Urban Area Acoustic Environment

When 1 dB(A) of average equivalent sound level is used as the basis for change judgment, it can be said that among the 47 national key cities on environmental protection, the urban area acoustic environment of Kunming and Nanning improved while that of Yinchuan worsened against previous year. 

Ratings and Comparison of Equivalent Sound Level of Area-wide Environmental Noise of the 47 National Key Cities on Environmental Protection in 2004 and 2003

Countermeasures and Actions

Noise Control during the National College Entrance Examination Period    In order to provide a quite environment for students to take the examination, local authorities strengthened noise control during the High School Entrance Examination and College Entrance Examination, especially the control of the noise on construction sites. 

Creating "Noise Standard Attaining Zones"    According to the requirement of the State Environmental Protection Administration, 3,534 "noise standard attaining zones" had been created across the country, covering an area of 21,363.1 km2, with an increase of 4.8% against the previous year.

Fresh Water Environment

Marine Environment

Atmospheric Environment

Acoustic
Environment

Solid Wastes

Radiation
Environment

Arable Land / Land Resources

Forests

Grassland

Biodiversity

Climate and Natural Disasters

Environmental Management