The Prevention of Nuisances in Israel

Abstract

AN uncalled-for result of the development of modern industry and of the rapid growth of big cities is the intensification of nuisances. There is, first, the noise caused by modern machinery, by aircraft, by motor-cars and trolleys, by radio, television, pianos and jazz bands playing late in the night, and even by the people themselves trying to drown out the surrounding noise; then there are the bad smells and poisonous fumes issuing from workshops, from exhaust pipes of cars and from similar sources. All these noises and smells combine to make miserable the life of the modern city dweller eager to get some rest and a little comfort after a day's work. Nuisances of this kind, and particularly noise, have become a burning and difficult problem throughout the world. In England an editorial in the the Law Times complained some time ago: Though views may differ on which sounds give delight and hurt not, it would certainly seem true that this isle is today more full of noises than ever before . .. intruding sounds grow so widespread that the day approaches when one will not in fact be able to get away from them. . . . Noise in industry must be a contributing cause of many accidents arising from tiredness and inattention, but it is also directly responsible for actual deafness. '