Two lawmakers in New York City have issued a siren call of sorts, arguing that the shrill sound of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances has got to go.
If passed, the legislation would require all emergency vehicles to change their sirens within two years to an alternating high and low sound similar to that heard in many European countries.
Council Member Helen Rosenthal introduced the legislation on Feb. 13.
"Noise pollution is an often unrecognized but very real public health issue," she said in a statement emailed to NPR. "Since my first year in office I have received complaints from constituents about the impact of wailing sirens, especially from ambulances, across my district."
Carlina Rivera, who co-sponsored the bill, says the noise pollution in New York's five boroughs can cause cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and hypertension.