Resident urges Yarmouth Board of Health to treat noise pollution as a public‑health issue

At the opening public-comment portion of the Yarmouth Board of Health meeting on May 4, resident Harris Contos told members that noise pollution is an underrecognized public-health threat and asked the board to investigate its physiologic impacts and develop policies and public reporting.

Contos cited the American Public Health Association’s characterization of noise pollution as comparable to a “new secondhand smoke,” urged the board to develop scientific evidence for local policy, and asked to work with staff on follow-up. He identified local sources including motorcycles with modified exhausts, leaf blowers and lawnmowers, and open-air events with loud music.

Board members thanked Contos, noted his email and literature had been included in meeting packets, and encouraged staff to coordinate with other town departments, including police, on enforcement and education. Staff said samples of relevant literature and links were distributed in board packets and offered to set up follow-up meetings.

Quotes

"A relative new kid on the block is noise pollution...there are real physiologic and health consequences to exposure to chronic noise," said Harris Contos (Precinct 3).

What’s next

The board acknowledged the request and staff confirmed Contos’s email and references were added to meeting materials; Contos offered to meet with staff or participate in future work to develop a local evidence base.