Study shows link between traffic noise, heart attack
We’ve written before on the health risks associated with commuting. Now comes new research out of Denmark showing that it’s not just sitting in traffic, but being exposed to traffic-related noise, that can be problematic. CBS News’ Ryan Jaslow reports today:
For the study, researchers looked at more than 57,000 Danes who have been part of a long-running population study of cancer that enrolled participants between the ages of 50 and 64 from 1993 to 1997, and tracked them for an average of ten years.
Of the study pool, 1,600 people suffered their first ever myocardial infarction (MI) – or heart attack – between study enrollment and the follow-up period ending in 2006. Using address information, the researchers estimated the participants’ exposure to traffic noise and air pollution over a more than 20-year period. The researchers determined participants were exposed from anywhere from 42 decibels of traffic noise – considered ambient noise – to 84 decibels. Repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.
The researchers found that for every 10 decibels of added traffic noise near a participant’s residence, heart attack risk jumped up 12 percent…
The work provides no definitive answer for why there may be an association between traffic-noise exposure and heart attack. But the researchers, who adjusted for pollution when analyzing the data, note in their paper that the stress and sleep disturbances associated with noise exposure might play a role.
Previously: Can commuting by car or public transit negatively impact your health? and The hazards of sitting in traffic
Phot by epSos.de
June 26th, 2012 at 12:56 am
An interesting study. Whilst commuters are undoubtedly exposed to traffic noise during their journeys, residents who live near to transport routes can be exposed 24/7. The Noise Vibration Action Group http://www.nvag.org.uk are currently challenging night rail freight with regards to harmful levels of noise exposure and breach of human rights.
The Swiss SAPALDIA study in 2011/2012 found a clear link between railway noise and high blood pressure. They only found, for road transport, an increase amongst susceptible members of the population. This suggests a different health impact dependent on the form of noise. The periods of quiet followed by the abrupt intrusion of noise of a train passing is, the study suggests, a possible reason for the increased blood pressure readings resulting from trains. A study of the nature of the noise, in terms of the noise envelope and frequency components would be required to address this.
It is noted that some global corporations with high ethical profiles still discount noise as being harmful and make decisions that result in high noise exposure for the public. The increasing body of evidence makes such attitudes less tenable