The European Environment Agency said in a new study covering all 27 EU member states plus Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland that an estimated minimum of one in five people in Europe was exposed to above-recommended noise levels.

"Over 20 percent of the EU's population, including children, live in areas where traffic noise levels are harmful to health," it said. "In many urban areas, this percentage is much higher, reaching 50 percent."

Living in an area affected by traffic noise is linked to an increased risk of developing a wide range of health problems, including cardiovascular and mental health conditions, the EEA said.

Noise pollution is "among the most damaging environmental factors to health in Europe after air pollution", it added.

Among under-18s, it can lead to cognitive issues and be linked to anxiety.

Among the 550,000 cases of reading disorders caused by transport noise, most (84 percent) were due to road traffic, particularly in urban areas.

Rail transport accounted for 15 percent and air transport for one percent.

The EEA said noise was responsible for almost 60,000 cases of behavioural disorders every year in the countries studied.

"Reducing exposure both at home and at schools would minimise these adverse outcomes for children, which may affect their lifelong opportunities and quality of life," the study read.

The agency, based in Copenhagen, recommended focusing efforts on reducing noise at source, including by reducing speed limits, engine and tyre noise, as well as improving insulation and creating green buffer zones.