FEBRUARY 24, 1995
KEN BURFORD'S NOISE STORY
AIRPLANE NOISE
My major concern is with airplane noise. About nine years ago, that kind of noise, for me, moved from a background noise that I didn't notice to one that I am aware of to the extent that I now notice every airplane that passes overhead. At times, the noise is very intrusive especially when Pearson International Airport (PIA) is busy and they are using the flight path that brings the airplanes almost directly over our heads. This often happens early in the mornings for one to two hours or more, from the time that they can start to operate, which I think is 6:30 am and in the evenings from about 5:00 to 8:00 pm or later. During these times the aircraft are flying overhead, one right after another, so that I experience virtually continuous noise. This is wonderful on weekend mornings!
This noise is of the type that is continual and over which I have no control. I am very concerned about this type of noise increasing since there is talk continually about increasing air traffic at PIA and airports everywhere else. The decibels from this type of noise can be high, which is a problem, but my main concern where I live is that the noise at times, is constant , or you know it will come but you don't know when, and I can't stop it or escape from it. Being in the house with all the windows shut does help. Even with earplugs on in the house, I can still hear the noise. And, I am driven to wear earplugs at times, which makes conversation with my family difficult.
When I retire I hope to move away from airplane noise as best I can. I find that no matter where you go these days, airplanes go over your head, either close by or up high. I notice them even if they are high, because this usually occurs in a place where there is little other background noise, for example, in the country. Efforts are being made by aircraft manufacturers to reduce noise, but I don't think that they can eliminate it altogether.
Recently, residents' groups close to PIA have been trying to stop the building of additional runways because of concerns, mainly with noise pollution. Those groups tend to see the issue as a local problem. The media, operators of PIA and the politicians at all levels of government tend to view it, and try to keep it, as a local issue too. I suspect that other residents not living as near to the airport also have problems with the noise and I think that they should be organized to support the residents that live near the airport.
People need to become more aware of airplane noise. Do we have no rights to quiet when it comes to airplanes? We can choose to live on a street that is quiet concerning ground vehicular traffic. It appears that we have no choice concerning air traffic.
The City's Municipal Code does not cover noise from airplanes. This is considered a Federal issue. And, yet, we experience the noise here in the City where we live.
LAWNMOWER NOISE
In our neighbourhood, most houses have small lawns in the front and back and the houses are close together. Most use electric or gas power mowers to cut their grass. What tends to happen is that when one neighbour finishes, another starts up etc.. I can be listening to neighbours cutting their grass all day long on weekends or evenings trying to enjoy my property. Until very recently one could not buy a quieter power lawnmower. The technology has not changed since they were first introduced. Consumers reports don't even rate power mowers on the amount of noise that they produce.
I think most people feel that it is a macho thing to make noise when they cut their grass ; that it just wouldn't be right without the noise; that it is something that you just can't do without making noise; that they have a right to make noise when they cut their grass ; that it is socially acceptable.
I use a quiet manual push lawnmower.
CONSTRUCTION NOISE
This kind of noise happens when a developer is redeveloping a property in the neighbourhood or a neighbour is renovating their home. There are supposed to be start and stop times for such construction which are usually very generous, like 7:00am start and 6:00pm stop except on weekends and statutory holidays when the start time is 9:00am. Most developers and renovators ignore these restrictions. I've had this happen right next door to me. I've been awaken at 5:00 am by construction noise and experienced it going on to 12:00 am. And, I'm talking heavy equipment like backhoes and earthmovers. Calling the police to enforce the bylaws is useless and calling the City of Toronto's noise enforcer is almost as useless.
OTHER NOISES
In addition to the above, there can be added at any time noise from chain saws, weed trimmers, leafblowers, handsaws, city drain cleaners, noisy trucks and automobiles, radios, air-conditioners, carpet vacuuming trucks, etc..