The charts compare the number of people affected by four types of nice pollution-traffic, train, aircraft, and industry-during the day and night in urban and rural areas of Europe in 2007.
Overall, it is quite evident that traffic noise impacted in the largest number of people in both city and rural areas, especially during the day. In contrast, industrial noise had the least impact, particularly in rural areas where it affected no one.
In cities, traffic noise affected the largest number of people, with 64 million disturbed during the day and 48 million at night. Meanwhile, train noise was the second most significant, impacting 10 million in the day and 8 million at night. Aircraft noise followed, disturbing 4 million people during the day and 1 million at night. The least number of city residents were affected by industrial noise, with only 1 million in the day and 0.25 million at night.
In rural areas, a similar pattern can be observed, although the numbers were significantly lower, Traffic noise still topped the list, affecting 34 million people in the day and 24 million at night. Train and Aircraft noise both impacted smaller numbers, with 2 million and 1 million affected by each, respectively, during both periods. Notably, no rural residents were affected by industrial noise.