With constant complaints about traffic noise pollution and the prevailing practice of prioritizing roads over buildings, how can we overcome the "last mile" challenge in noise pollution control?

2025-11-04

According to the "China Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Report 2023," in 2022, the "12345 Government Service Hotline" in prefecture-level cities and above, along with departments such as ecology and environment, public security, and housing and urban-rural development, received approximately 4.503 million noise complaints, an increase of 493,000 cases year-on-year, with a case completion rate of 99.7%. The number of noise complaints is closely related to population size. The eight megacities of Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Tianjin, and Wuhan received approximately 1.485 million noise complaints, accounting for one-third of the total number of noise complaints in prefecture-level cities and above nationwide.

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In terms of complaint type, noise pollution from daily life was the most frequent, with approximately 3.038 million complaints, accounting for 67.5%. Construction noise was the second most frequent, with approximately 1.13 million complaints, accounting for 25.1%. Transportation noise accounted for approximately 195,000 complaints, or 4.3%, and industrial noise accounted for approximately 140,000 complaints, or 3.1%.

The data above shows that the denser the urban population, the more noise complaints there are. Besides difficult-to-define noise from daily life, construction and traffic noise remain consistently high. Due to rapid urbanization, residential buildings are getting closer to roads, leading to a greater impact from traffic noise. Therefore, effectively controlling traffic noise pollution is currently a top priority in addressing noise pollution complaints.

Traffic noise pollution is characterized by its irregularity, persistence, and intrusiveness, which is why it is so difficult to control. Conventional methods include speed reduction, noise-reducing road surfaces, sound barriers, and green belts, but these measures have minimal effect and are not inexpensive, making it a headache for both municipalities and residents.

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The above measures only address the prevention and control of noise pollution sources and transmission routes, but more importantly, they do not address the prevention and control of noise receiving points. Soundproof windows are the last line of defense against traffic noise pollution.

Among numerous traffic noise pollution control measures, soundproof windows are both the most effective and cost-efficient, offering a permanent solution, provided that good soundproof windows are selected and installed correctly. Building upon soundproof windows, the emergence of ventilated soundproof windows has further upgraded the function of traditional soundproof windows, solving the problems of traditional soundproof windows failing to provide sound insulation when open and failing to provide ventilation when closed.

Real shot of a three-element ventilation and soundproof window

Ventilated and soundproof windows not only have the good sound insulation effect of traditional soundproof windows, but also have the functions of dust removal, haze removal, and fresh air circulation. Their structure is composed of traditional soundproof windows plus professional silent ventilators, which take into account the functions of ventilation and sound insulation and noise reduction.

The application of ventilated and soundproof windows is also of practical significance. Traffic noise pollution is only one aspect; there are also problems such as dust and exhaust fumes caused by traffic. With traditional windows or traditional soundproof windows, a lot of dust will accumulate when the windows are opened for ventilation, which can also affect human health. Ventilated and soundproof windows can effectively solve this problem. Fresh air can be achieved without opening the windows, truly creating a clean and comfortable living space indoors.