Morena deputy Leonor Gómez Otegui will present a proposal to establish 60 decibels (dB) as the maximum allowed in night-time commercial establishments in Mexico City. Those who do not respect this limit may face economic penalties of up to 3 million 394 thousand pesos, in response to complaints from residents in areas such as Roma, Escandon, and Condesa.
The Mexican capital is known for being one of the noisiest cities in the world, with various sounds and vibrations generated by human activity, such as engines, emergency sirens, and others that affect the population, especially during the night in areas with entertainment venues.
According to the deputy, constant exposure to noise can have negative effects on people's physical and mental health, ranging from stress and insomnia to hearing loss. The proposal aims to raise awareness among establishment owners about the consequences of exceeding allowed noise levels.
Acoustic pollution, also known as the 'silent killer,' is considered the second leading cause of environmental diseases and is estimated to cause the premature death of thousands of people each year in Europe, according to the WHO.
The initiative to reform the Law of Commercial Establishments seeks to impose fines on establishments that exceed noise limits. During nighttime hours, the maximum allowed noise will be 60 dB. Proposed fines range from 848 thousand pesos to 3 million 394 thousand pesos for establishments with neighborhood and zonal impact.
Additionally, it is proposed that zonal impact establishments will not be able to extend their hours or sell alcoholic beverages in predominantly residential areas. The initiative is now in the hands of the local Public Administration Commission for analysis and ruling.
