Underground under safe

limit?

Introductio
n

The London Underground, a public system serving London, is the second largest mean of public
transportation in London. Founded 156 years ago, The Underground – more commonly known
as the Tube – serves 270 stations and covers 402 km nowadays (TfL, 2019). Unfortunately, a
recent study brought attention to the frightening noise level faced by its passengers recurrently.
The research was conducted by EAVE, a London based company specialised in hearing-
protection devices (The economist, 2019). The London Underground exposes millions of
commuters to excessive noise levels causing irreversible hearing loss and must
therefore be reorganized.

Excessive
noise

Recent figures reveal hazardous noise level of the London Underground. Indeed, EAVE,
which fabricates protective equipment against Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), recorded
noise levels across several London Underground lines. The investigation pointed out numerous
alarming sound levels well above the safe limit set to 85 decibels. Hence, to demonstrate this
ongoing phenomenon EAVE focused on the loudest Tube lines: Victoria line, Jubilee line,
Northem line and Bakerloo line. For instance, according the data collected, Victoria noise level
exceeded the safe limit (85 decibels) for a total of eleven times in 15 minutes and Jubilee noise
level has been recorded around 109 decibels between stops “Canary Wharf” and “North
Greenwich” (The Economist, 2019).

Following the previous information, the public opinion started questioning whether commuters
and underground drivers incur potential health risk and whether Transport for London (TfL)
should perhaps restrict the access to those lines momentarily.

As the London Underground is such a massive mean of public transport, millions of

people could be exposed to perilous noise levels. As stated by the U.K. government, up to 5
million people daily commute with the London Underground (TfL, 2019). In other words, this
figure means up to 1.825 billion passengers per annum. In comparison, based on the Office for
National Statistics (OfNS), the office of the UK Statistics Authority, London population is
estimated around 8.908 million (Office for National Statistics, 2019). Meanwhile, Northern,
Jubilee and Victoria, remain part of the five busiest lines, which is the reason why the public
opinion believes that this matter should be handled with a huge concern by the U.K. authorities
(TfL, 2019).

As a result, many commuters expressed their fears to the government. In the absence of
immediate U.K. government actions, the London Underground drivers planned an industrial
action to protest against the excessive track noise.
Subsequently, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) agreed on
cutting speed by half. In fact, the noise annoyances are mainly caused by the wheels grinding
against the rails during turns (The Economist, 2019). Consequently, London Underground
drivers planned to coordinate an industrial action aiming to reduce vehicles speed deliberately.
The action was supposed to impact the Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria lines and was
supported by 95% of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT). Michael Joseph Cash, the
general secretary of National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, claimed that the
action would compel the London Underground to take the issue of excessive track noise more
seriously (BBC, 2019).
Surprisingly, Transport for London (TfL) addressed the complaints by supporting the idea that
noise levels on the tube were undeniably harmless for commuters. Indeed, Transport for London
(TfL) reaffirmed through a public statement that its main concern was travelers safety.

Transport for London (TfL) called for the cancellation of the industrial action by the Rail,
Maritime and Transport Union (RMT). They succeeded after negotiations with the RMT.
Apparently, TfL guaranteed the introduction of speed restrictions and additional works to reduce
noise levels to the RMT(BBC, 2019). Furthermore, TfL claimed the safety of the London
Underground through public announcements. The government body stated that the exposure
time wasn’t important enough to inflict damages to commuters. Nevertheless, TfL conceded to
supply a wider assortment of ear protection to its underground staff (The economist, 2019).

Introductio
n

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency within the United
Nations (U.N) dealing with worldwide health issues, the safe listening levels depend on 3
variables: the intensity, the duration and the frequency of exposure. These three variables
contribute to the total sound energy that a person’s ears are exposed to (WHO, 2015).
Therefore, excessive intensity, duration and/or frequency of exposure leads to
irreversible Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), psychological stress and anxiety.

Health
risks

Firstly, eighty-five decibels level is commonly defined as the highest safe exposure level
up to a maximum of eight hours. In 1972, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), a United States federal agency, established the recommended exposure limit
(REL) for occupational noise exposure at 85 decibels (NIOSH, 1998). Besides, the National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD), an U.S. National Institute of Health, stated that exposure to noise levels higher that 85
decibels can cause Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) (NIDCD, 2014). Moreover, the World
Health Organization (WHO) stated that some people are more susceptible to NIHL because of
their dissimilar genetic predispositions and chronic conditions (WHO, 2015).

Numerous academic researches proved the truthfulness, reliability and validity of the
recommended exposure limit (REL). However, Transport for London (TfL) did not consider the
exposure time sufficiently long to harm daily commuters, although the World Health Organization
shares a different opinion.

Then, even a short duration of exposure to high-decibel levels can be harmful. The World
Health Organization (WHO) stated that exposure to loud sounds for any amount of time
inevitably fatigues the ear’s sensory cells. In fact, the endurable time for safe listening decreases
exponentially as the intensity and frequency rise (WHO, 2015). For instance, the peak noise
levels generated by the London Tube ranging from 100dB to 110dB can be safely respectively
listened to for 15 to 2 minutes every day (The economist, 2019).

Contrary to what suggest Transport for London (TfL), repetitive exposure to medium noise levels
remain harmful. Noise levels under the recommended exposure limit (REL) still have time
exposure restriction.

Additionally, systematic exposure to medium-decibel levels leads mental health disorder.

Indeed, studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) shown that children and
adults living around
noisy environment tend to have anxiety and psychological stress symptoms. Those children
generally develop learning disabilities, anxiety and attention-seeking behaviors later on. Chronic
noise exposure impact academic performances in domains such as reading, comprehension,
short- and long-term memory, and motivation (WHO, 2015).

Short-term
solution

Although, commuters should use hearing-productions to protect themselves against

dangerous noise levels. On the other side, Transport for London (TfL) should either encourage
passengers to use hearing- protection devices or supply it. Benefice of doubt, the U.K.
government should privileged consumer’s safety and therefore, .

Regular participation in activities potentially causing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) are
irreversible,

Conclusio
n

The exposure to alarming noise levels of the London Tube represent an issue that should
be tackle.

Huge concern that requires further

investigation

Take direct
actions
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