The level of ambient noise is influenced by road traffic, but ammonia production facilities are in at least two areas where the level of noise has to be reduced, according to a recent study commissioned by the Marosvásárhely/Targu Mures-based Azomures, a company controlling roughly 50% of Romania’s fertilizers market. In other words, everything is fine, and the locals must continue with their lives and get used to the noise (via Székelyhon).
“The value of the noise level during the day increases by up to 22 dB and at night by
up to 15 dB, compared to the values
generated exclusively by the industrial sources at Azomures,”
states a report prepared by specialists at Acoustic Expert in Nagyszeben/Sibiu.
The same report identified two areas of Azomures operations, where the company’s specialists have to find solutions to reduce the noise level generated by the production facilities. At night, these areas influence the level of ambient noise in one corridor extending toward the Náznán/Nazna settlement. Another problematic area highlighted by the environmental noise study is Meggyesfalva/Mureseni Street, in the immediate neighborhood of the production facility.
In that area, the company has built a 440-meter-long, 10-meter-high sound wall, which has reduced the noise pollution generated by its facilities; however, considering that this is a so-called industrial area of the city,
the noise generated by other industrial activities also adds to the continuous
noise of the fertilizer company’s facility. Combined with the road traffic, we end
up with a high level of noise,
the company suggests.
“The industrial activities in our immediate neighborhood, which are not very visible to the population, generate a fairly high level of ambient noise. When daytime traffic is added, this greatly influences the environment. At night, [the noise from] Azomures begins to be perceived, although its activity is continuous and without fluctuation, except for some shutdowns/starts of several installations,” said Harri Kiiski, general manager of Azomures.
The Azomures noise pollution problem has been an everyday issue for Marosvásárhely inhabitants for many years. A study conducted in 2014 by a group of researchers found similar results, highlighting the strong influence of road traffic. Back then, they suggested that local authorities utilize a green wave, modernize public transport, reduce road traffic with ring roads, and foster green commuting with dedicated bicycle lanes in the city.
Title image: Azomures’ammonia production facilities. Image source: Azomures’ Facebook page
