Irish Examiner view: Paris addresses its noise pollution problem 

The French capital has introduced a prototype sonic radar in an attempt to shed its reputation as one of Europe’s noisiest cities

Cars and motorcycles line up to enter into the French capital; Paris has been identified as one of Europe's noisiest cities. Picture: Michel Lipchitz/AP

Noise pollution is an insufficiently discussed problem of modern life, yet it often seems that we are surrounded by a wall of sound in our everyday experiences, and particularly in the urban environment.

Shops (inside and out) and fast-food restaurants are two of the worst offenders but there is an even more pervasive hum and roar in the background; it emanates from motor vehicles and, often ear-shatteringly, from motorbikes.