World Hearing Day 2025: EPA, Police team up to tackle noise pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently in the process of sensitising officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) about noise pollution and its severe effects on citizens.
World Hearing Day is observed every year on March 3rd. The theme for World Hearing Day 2025 is “Changing Mindsets.”
In line with this, the EPA is actively sensitising police officials through an ongoing project aimed at reducing noise pollution in Guyana.

Noise pollution in the country, such as loud music in minibuses and from community activities like bars, continues to be only partially addressed.
In a recent interview with this newscast, EPA Director Kemraj Parsram shared details about how the EPA is moving forward with this ongoing initiative.
According to Parsram, the initiative includes training to assess noise levels.
“The Guyana Police Force and the EPA are jointly addressing this issue, but primarily because the police force is more engaged with the public. They have direct contact with public transportation, as well as bars. They are being trained to assess noise levels and understand the requirements of the law, so they can enforce it at that level,” he explained.
He also added that the police are fully responsible for how these noise pollution sensitisation plans will be rolled out.

“The police will determine how they do it, but we are sensitising them. We’re training the police in noise nuisance regulations and in the capacity to assess noise nuisance levels, decibel levels, and so on. This partnership is ongoing,” he stated.
Construction sector
As noise pollution continues to be a concern, particularly in the booming construction industry in Guyana, he explained that all large-scale construction projects must be permitted by the EPA.
“All construction projects of a certain scale must be permitted by the EPA. Once they are permitted, they are required to follow specific guidelines, and we conduct compliance checks. If any construction starts without our permit and we are not aware of it, we respond to public complaints, investigate, and take necessary action,” Parsram explained.
This year, the Presidential Commission for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in Guyana, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission and Embassy of Guyana in Geneva, has teamed up with the Health Ministry to raise awareness among Guyanese about the importance of hearing and ear care.
While Guyana has had interventions to address loud music in minibuses and from various community activities, such as from bars, these efforts have been only partially effective. The Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NCD urges authorities to implement the policies with greater vigilance.
As Presidential Commission for the Prevention of NCDs in Guyana join with other nations around the world to observe this important day, it is also joined by the Permanent Mission of Guyana and the Embassy of Guyana in Geneva, Switzerland.
The commission has invited individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others. According to the commission, by encouraging individuals to recognise the importance of ear and hearing health, this year’s campaign aims to inspire them to change behaviour to protect their hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing loss, check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss. Guyana first observed World Hearing Day in 2007.
Guyana continues to invest in increasing both the scope of services it provides in the public health sector and the quality of care.
In addition, Guyana continues to expand availability and access to ensure that no one is left behind.
In a release from the Commission on Sunday, it revealed that their partners wish to commend the Government of Guyana and the MOH for expanding access to screening for hearing losses.
In particular, they commend the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Health for implementing audiological screening for all newborn babies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and other hospitals in Guyana, as well as for expanding the hearing aid programme for persons diagnosed with disabling hearing loss.
Additionally, the Commission recognised the joint School Health programme by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education which includes screening of all children for vision and hearing.
The screening programme in schools come with a guarantee that every child in need of glasses and hearing aid will be provided through the Government funding programme.
In 2023, the Ministry of Health screened almost 8,000 children in schools and provided 1,361 hearing aids for children.
One of the main causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. This environmental factor has been a chronic problem in Guyana.
Not reporting
Only last month Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh told this publication that there is a reoccurring issue of loud music being played by minibus operators and people complain about it on social media instead of informing law enforcement. According to Singh, offenders often evade consequences by lowering the volume before police arrive.
“There are frequent complaints about excessive noise from public transportation. However, when officers respond to these reports, the situation has often changed by the time they arrive. In many cases, the music is either turned off completely or played at an acceptable level, making enforcement difficult. If individuals report these issues in real-time to the police rather than posting about them online, we would have a better chance of catching constant offenders,” he explained.
He also emphasised that without official complaints from the public, the police have no solid basis for enforcement. However, with proper reports, authorities can take necessary action against non-compliant minibus drivers.
“To take action, we require verifiable evidence. When officers identify a breach of regulations, we follow a structured process. This includes seizing equipment and prosecuting offenders where necessary. However, if cases are only discussed on social media, we are unable to investigate properly or present substantial evidence in court,” Singh stressed.