Health Impacts of Long-term MRT Noise Exposure for Commuters and Inclusion in National Health Prevention Strategies

27 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether repeated MRT noise exposure has been assessed to affect the long term health among commuters; (b) if so, whether such exposure will be included in the national health promotion or prevention strategies in collaboration with transport agencies; and (c) whether the Ministry will strengthen research, monitoring and public education on MRT noise through an interagency initiative.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The National Environment Agency sets environmental noise limits to safeguard public health and well-being in residential settings. These limits reference international standards which determine safe noise thresholds based on health risks at different noise levels.

Noise experienced by commuters within mass rapid transit (MRT) systems is monitored by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The MRT system is designed to maintain average noise levels within the train cabin to below 85 decibels. Where the train goes through tight curves, noise levels within the train cabin may exceed this threshold momentarily. Over certain stretches of the Thomson-East Coast Line, where there are more curved tracks, additional noise reduction measures have been implemented, such as the moderation of train speeds and grinding of track surfaces to smoothen contact between the tracks and train. LTA is also trialling the use of tuned mass dampers to further reduce noise along the noisiest stretches.

Both agencies will continue to review their noise management policies and efforts to ensure that they remain current and effective in protecting public health.