dinjustice

Dinjustice is a term used to describe the social and public health harms that arise from excessive or discriminatory exposure to environmental noise. It highlights how noise burden is not shared equally, with certain communities—often low-income or historically marginalized groups—facing higher levels of noise and fewer opportunities for mitigation.

Etymology and usage: The word combines din, a loud, disruptive sound, with justice. It has appeared in urban studies, public health, and environmental-justice discussions since the 2010s, but remains informal and not standardized in academic literature.

Scope and impacts: Dinjustice covers residential noise from traffic, rail, aviation, and industry, as well as occupational noise and nighttime disturbances that disrupt sleep. Prolonged exposure is linked to stress, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular risk, and diminished well-being. The concept also encompasses procedural injustices when affected communities have limited input in planning decisions or access to quiet spaces and protective measures.

Policy and measurement: Responses include incorporating noise exposure into urban planning, enforcing stricter daytime and nighttime limits, creating sound barriers, and designating quiet zones. Researchers assess differential exposure using decibel-based metrics and health and quality-of-life outcomes, complemented by equity analyses of who bears the burden.

Criticism and relation: Some critics argue the term is broad, while supporters view it as a constructive frame for addressing health and equity in noisy environments. Related concepts include environmental justice, noise pollution, and urban health studies.