The national standards for environmental quality that the Peruvian congress is preparing include rules against noise pollution. Municipal authorities cannot permit noises louder than 60 decibels in residential areas, 70 decibels in commercial zones and 80 decibels in industrial areas. There is a 10-decibel reduction in each maximum during nighttime hours.

The municipal governments will have the authority to enforce the limits and should coordinate with the respective ministries in regards to penalizing offenders.

“Excessive noise is an invisible form of pollution and is as harmful as other better known factors of environmental contamination,” says Jaime Cordero, environmental advisor to the Lima Metropolitan Council.

“It is scientifically proven that noises louder than 80 decibels are not just bothersome, they are harmful to health. That limit is frequently surpassed by factory machinery,” Cordero says.