A large-scale study of the effects of road traffic and aircraft noise on health shows that regular exposure to noise levels above 55 decibels increases the risk of heart disease.
People who are exposed to noise pollution from traffic for a considerable period of time see their risk of developing heart disease increased. So says an analysis of nine studies into the effects of noise of 55 decibels or more on our health.
Nine Danish and Swedish studies included data from more than 130,000 individuals. Their health was followed for 19.7 years and traffic noise as well as proximity to busy roads, train stations and airports were measured at their respective addresses.
For example, the original studies examined the influence of ambient noise on the development of health conditions such as stroke, high blood pressure and even obesity.
The recent meta-analysis of these studies came to conclusions about the increased risk of developing ischemic heart complaints (Ischemia is a reduced blood supply to organs or tissues resulting in a lack of oxygen and nutrients, ed.). These are caused by poor blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries.
The global exposure of people to traffic noise has been increasing for years due to urbanization and the growth of the transport sector.
The conclusion is that people who were exposed to traffic noise of more than 55 decibels in the past five years had a higher risk of developing ischemic heart complaints.
Growth transport sector and urbanization
The global exposure of people to traffic noise has been increasing for years due to urbanization and the growth of the transport sector. In 2017, an estimated 113 million Europeans were exposed to long-term traffic noise levels of at least 55 decibels both day and night, according to the European Environment Agency.
In addition, 22 million Europeans are exposed to major noise pollution from rail traffic, 4 million to major noise pollution from aviation. The reporting threshold for environmental noise set by the EU is 55 decibels for the daytime and evening periods and 50 decibels for the nighttime period.
However, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), health effects already occur below these noise levels. The WHO has previously indicated that more than 1 million healthy life years are lost annually due to traffic noise in Western Europe.
This mainly leads to sleep disorders, annoyance and cardiovascular disease. In 2018, the WHO therefore issued guidelines to tackle noise pollution in Europe.
The research team concludes in the publication Environmental Health Perspectives that their findings underline the importance of traffic noise as a public health problem. They argue that exposure to noise pollution from the transportation sector is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
