Noise from outdoor music activities: selected examples of regulations and recommendations

According to the World Health Organization, environmental noise features among the top environ-mental risks to physical and mental health and well-being. Environmental noise includes noise pro-duced by transport traffic, industrial activities, neighborhood and leisure activities. Among the lei-sure activities which may cause hearing impairment and environmental noise annoyance include fireworks, shooting ranges, car racing and outdoor music activities; this study focuses on the latter. Examples of regulations from Australia, Belgium, France, United Kingdom and Canada (Québec city and Montréal) are presented. It is shown that regulations are not harmonized, many different indicators, limit values, measurement locations, and measurement times are used to protect attendees or residents living in noise sensitive areas.