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Bhattacharya D, Td J, Lakshminarayanan S, Meenu S, Madhusoodanan L S, Thulasingam M. Perception of Noise Pollution Among Youths and Adults in Urban Puducherry, South India. Cureus 2023; 15:e49573. [PMID: 38156172 PMCID: PMC10754227 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The study seeks to assess the perceptions of people on evaluating the sources of noise, noise-induced health issues, and noise regulation awareness among the exposed population present in the study site of urban Puducherry, South India. Methods A cross-sectional survey using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was conducted between July and August 2021 in 32 study sites in urban Puducherry to evaluate how adults and youth perceive noise pollution. The questionnaire gathered details on their sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the problems associated with noise pollution, source of noise pollution, effects of noise on health, and awareness of regulations related to noise pollution. Results Half of the study participants perceive that noise pollution is a problem in their localities; the majority feel disturbed by that noise; and the most prevalent reason given for noise pollution is traffic noise. Most of the participants reported that trouble paying attention to work or conversations was the most frequent health impact of noise pollution. Participants who are employed, have formal education, belong to families above the poverty line, and reside near the main road and sub-main road (less than 200 meters) showed a significant association (p-value <0.05) with perceived noise pollution problems. Conclusion Based on the findings, it can be concluded that respondents in urban Puducherry perceive traffic noise as the most common source of noise pollution. The majority of the participants felt that the excessive noise made it difficult for them to focus on their work. Individuals who reside or work close to a major highway and outdoor workers believe noise pollution is a big problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debajyoti Bhattacharya
- Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, IND
| | - James Td
- Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, IND
| | - Subitha Lakshminarayanan
- Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, IND
| | - Sai Meenu
- Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, IND
| | - Swathy Madhusoodanan L
- Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, IND
| | - Mahalakshmy Thulasingam
- Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, IND
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2
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Ghaffarpasand O, Almojarkesh A, Morris S, Stephens E, Chalabi A, Almojarkesh U, Almojarkesh Z, Pope FD. Traffic Noise Assessment Using Intelligent Acoustic Sensors (Traffic Ear) and Vehicle Telematics Data. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:6964. [PMID: 37571749 PMCID: PMC10422506 DOI: 10.3390/s23156964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Here, we introduce Traffic Ear, an acoustic sensor pack that determines the engine noise of each passing vehicle without interrupting traffic flow. The device consists of an array of microphones combined with a computer vision camera. The class and speed of passing vehicles were estimated using sound wave analysis, image processing, and machine learning algorithms. We compared the traffic composition estimated with the Traffic Ear sensor with that recorded using an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera and found a high level of agreement between the two approaches for determining the vehicle type and fuel, with uncertainties of 1-4%. We also developed a new bottom-up assessment approach that used the noise analysis provided by the Traffic Ear sensor along with the extensively detailed urban mobility maps that were produced using the geospatial and temporal mapping of urban mobility (GeoSTMUM) approach. It was applied to vehicles travelling on roads in the West Midlands region of the UK. The results showed that the reduction in traffic engine noise over the whole of the study road was over 8% during rush hours, while the weekday-weekend effect had a deterioration effect of almost half. Traffic noise factors (dB/m) on a per-vehicle basis were almost always higher on motorways compared the other roads studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Ghaffarpasand
- School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Sophie Morris
- Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell B69 3DE, UK
| | | | - Alaa Chalabi
- Innovation Factory Limited, Birmingham B7 4BP, UK; (A.A.)
| | | | | | - Francis D. Pope
- School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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3
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Hemker F, Haselhoff T, Brunner S, Lawrence BT, Ickstadt K, Moebus S. The Role of Traffic Volume on Sound Pressure Level Reduction before and during COVID-19 Lockdown Measures-A Case Study in Bochum, Germany. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:5060. [PMID: 36981969 PMCID: PMC10048852 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, sound pressure levels (SPL) decreased because of lockdown measures all over the world. This study aims to describe SPL changes over varying lockdown measure timeframes and estimate the role of traffic on SPL variations. To account for different COVID-19 lockdown measures, the timeframe during the pandemic was segmented into four phases. To analyze the association between a-weighted decibels (dB(A)) and lockdown phases relative to the pre-lockdown timeframe, we calculated a linear mixed model, using 36,710 h of recording time. Regression coefficients depicting SPL changes were compared, while the model was subsequently adjusted for wind speed, rainfall, and traffic volume. The relative adjusted reduction of during pandemic phases to pre-pandemic levels ranged from -0.99 dB(A) (CI: -1.45; -0.53) to -0.25 dB(A) (CI: -0.96; 0.46). After controlling for traffic volume, we observed little to no reduction (-0.16 dB(A) (CI: -0.77; 0.45)) and even an increase of 0.75 dB(A) (CI: 0.18; 1.31) during the different lockdown phases. These results showcase the major role of traffic regarding the observed reduction. The findings can be useful in assessing measures to decrease noise pollution for necessary future population-based prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Hemker
- Institute for Urban Public Health (InUPH), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Timo Haselhoff
- Institute for Urban Public Health (InUPH), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Susanne Brunner
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Vogelpothsweg 87, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Bryce T. Lawrence
- Research Group Landscape Ecology and Landscape Planning, Department of Spatial Planning, TU Dortmund University, Vogelpothsweg 87, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Katja Ickstadt
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Vogelpothsweg 87, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Susanne Moebus
- Institute for Urban Public Health (InUPH), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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4
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Schubert M, Romero Starke K, Gerlach J, Reusche M, Kaboth P, Schmidt W, Friedemann D, Hegewald J, Zeeb H, Zülke A, Riedel-Heller SG, Seidler A. Traffic-Related High Sleep Disturbance in the LIFE-Adult Cohort Study: A Comparison to the WHO Exposure-Response-Curves. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4903. [PMID: 36981810 PMCID: PMC10049209 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sleep is negatively affected by environmental noise. In the present study, we investigated self-reported high sleep disturbances (being "highly sleep disturbed"-HSD) from road traffic (primary and secondary road networks), rail (train and tram) and air traffic noise in the LIFE-Adult cohort study in Leipzig, Germany. For this, we used exposure data from 2012 and outcome data of Wave 2 (collected during 2018-2021). HSD was determined and defined according to internationally standardized norms. The highest risk for transportation noise-related HSD was found for aircraft noise: the odds ratio (OR) was 19.66, 95% CI 11.47-33.71 per 10 dB increase in Lnight. For road and rail traffic, similar risk estimates were observed (road: OR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.92-4.28; rail: OR = 2.67, 95% CI 2.03-3.50 per 10 dB Lnight increase). Further, we compared our exposure-risk curves with the curves of the WHO environmental noise guidelines for the European region. The proportion of individuals with HSD for a given noise level was lower for rail traffic but higher for aircraft noise in the LIFE study than in the WHO curves. For road traffic, curves are not directly comparable because we also included the secondary road network. The results of our study add to the body of evidence for increased health risks by traffic noise. Moreover, the results indicate that aircraft noise is particularly harmful to health. We recommend reconsidering threshold values for nightly aircraft exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schubert
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Karla Romero Starke
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Gerlach
- Institute of Transport Planning and Road Traffic, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Reusche
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Pauline Kaboth
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Wolfram Schmidt
- Institute of Transport Planning and Road Traffic, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Lohmeyer GmbH, 01067 Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Janice Hegewald
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Andrea Zülke
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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5
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Müller L, Forssén J, Kropp W. Traffic Noise at Moderate Levels Affects Cognitive Performance: Do Distance-Induced Temporal Changes Matter? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3798. [PMID: 36900806 PMCID: PMC10001193 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization leads to an increased demand for urban housing, which can be met by building dwellings closer to streets. Regulations often limit equivalent sound pressure levels which do not account for changes in time structure that occur when decreasing the road distance. This study investigates the effect of such temporal changes on subjective workload and cognitive performance. A group of 42 participants performed a continuous performance test as well as a NASA-TLX workload test under three different sound conditions, i.e., close traffic, far traffic, both with the same equivalent sound pressure level of LAeq≈40 dB, and silence. Additionally, participants answered a questionnaire regarding their preferred acoustic environment for concentrated working. Significant effects of the sound condition on the multivariate workload results as well as on the number of commission errors in the continuous performance test were found. Post hoc tests showed no significant differences between the two noise conditions, but there were significant differences between noise and silence. This indicates that moderate traffic noise levels can influence cognitive performance and perceived workload. If there is a difference in the human response to road traffic noise with constant LAeq but different time structures, the used methods are not suitable to detect them.
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6
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Zhang S, Chen L. Acoustic information masking effects of natural sounds on traffic noise based on psychological health in open urban spaces. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1031501. [PMID: 36935713 PMCID: PMC10022823 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1031501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of existing resources, such as natural sounds, to promote the mental health of citizens is an area of research that is receiving increasing attention. This research contributes to existing knowledge by combining a field psychological walk method and an experimental acoustic control method to compare the acoustic information masking effects of water and birdsong sounds on traffic noise based on the psychological health responses of 30 participants to such effects. The influence of traffic noise and contextual sounds on the psychological health of participants identified the potential of natural sounds in the acoustic information masking of traffic noise. Furthermore, it was found that 65.0 dBA water sounds did not mask 60.0 dBA traffic noises. However, 45.0 dBA birdsong sounds did mask it, but this effect was not significant. Additionally, contextual factors with and without crowd activity sounds were not significant in influencing psychological health through birdsong. This study contributes to public health cost savings. It may also guide the development of new ideas and methods for configuring open urban spaces according to public health needs.
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7
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Santurtún M, García Tárrago MJ, Fdez-Arroyabe P, Zarrabeitia MT. Noise Disturbance and Well-Being in the North of Spain. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:16457. [PMID: 36554336 PMCID: PMC9778707 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental noise is considered one of the main risks for physical and mental health and well-being, with a significant associated burden of disease in Europe. This work aims to explore the main sources of noise exposure at home and its effect on well-being in northern Spain. A transversal opinion study has been performed through a closed questionnaire. The questionnaire included three different parts: sociodemographic data, noise disturbance, and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). A Binary Logistics Regression model was performed to analyze the relationship between noise exposure and well-being. Overall, 16.6% of the participants consider that the noise isolation of their homes is bad or very bad. The noise generated by the neighbors (air and impact noise) is considered the most disturbing indoor noise source, while street works are the most disturbing outdoor noise source in urban areas and road traffic is the most disturbing in rural areas. People who indicate that noise interferes with their life at home have a worse score on the WHO-5 (decreased perception of well-being). The exposure to outdoor noise (specifically the noise coming from the street and trains), internal impact noise produced by neighbors, and in general, the noise that wakes you up, is related to receiving a worse score in the WHO-5 (p < 0.05). Administrative bodies must ensure that laws regulating at-home noise levels, which are continually being updated with stricter restrictions, are enforced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Santurtún
- Centro Hospitalario Padre Menni, 39012 Santander, Spain
- Nursery Department, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Fdez-Arroyabe
- Department of Geography, Urban Planning and Territorial Planning, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - María T. Zarrabeitia
- Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Cantabria—IDIVAL, 39005 Santander, Spain
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8
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Lechner C, Kirisits C. The Effect of Land-Use Categories on Traffic Noise Annoyance. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:15444. [PMID: 36497515 PMCID: PMC9736418 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Land-use categories are often used to define the exposure limits of national environmental noise policies. Often different guideline values for noise are applied for purely residential areas versus residential areas with mixed-use. Mixed-use includes living plus limited activities through crafts, commerce, trade, agriculture, and forestry activities. This differentiation especially when rating noise from road, railway, and air traffic might be argued by different expectations and therefore noise annoyance in those two categories while scientific evidence is missing. It should be tested on empirically derived data. Surveys from two studies in the state of Tyrol in urban and rural areas were retrospectively matched with spatial data to analyze the potential different influences on noise effects. Using non-parametric tests, the correlation between land-use category on self-reported noise sensitivity and noise annoyance was investigated. Exposure-response for the two analyzed land-use categories showed no significant impact on noise sensitivity and exposure-response relationships for the three traffic noise sources. Including only noise annoyance, there is not sufficient evidence to define different noise policies for those two land-use categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Lechner
- LMU University Hospital Munich, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Office of the Tyrolean Regional Government, Department for Emission, Safety and Sites, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Kirisits
- Kirisits Consulting Engineers, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Mamat NI, Amil N, Mohd Hanif MH, Zuknik MH, Norashiddin FA, Jaafar MH. Noise Exposure Assessment at a Secondary School in a City of Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Int J Environ Health Res 2022; 32:2547-2561. [PMID: 34520290 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1976735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Schools are considered sensitive areas to noise pollution. The objective of this study is to ascertain the sound level in schools with respect to different sampling time sessions and sampling points. Five sampling points, consisting of two classrooms (Classroom A and Classroom B), a canteen, a staffroom and a field, were chosen to obtain an overview of the noise level within the whole school in three different time sessions (morning, afternoon and evening), as well as 8-h continuous sampling in both classrooms and the staffroom. The average noise level (LAeq,10min) obtained in this school was found to be in the range of 48.8 dBA to 83.7 dBA, where most of the values exceeded the permissible maximum sound pressure level set by the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE). Classroom B recorded the highest average noise level (LAeq,8h) of 77.9 dBA, which exceeded the maximum value set by the Department of Environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Izzati Mamat
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | - Norhaniza Amil
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | | | - Mark Harris Zuknik
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | | | - Mohd Hafiidz Jaafar
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
- National Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
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Bilenko N, Ashin M, Friger M, Fischer L, Sergienko R, Sheiner E. Traffic Noise and Ambient Air Pollution Are Risk Factorsfor Preeclampsia. J Clin Med 2022; 11. [PMID: 35956166 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effect of traffic-related noise (TRN), environmental noise (EN) and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on preeclampsia. Methods: We followed 285 pregnant women from Maternal and Child Health Clinics who reported exposure to TRN on a scale from 0 (absence of EN) to 10 (high level of EN). EN was measured using a portable dosimeter, and NOx was calculated using the AERMOD pollutant dispersion model. Results: Using a multiple logistic regression model, adjusted for maternal age, BMI, number of births, fetal sex and maternal chronic illness, TRN (score ≥ 6 vs. score < 6) and TRAP (NOx ≥ 300 µ/m3 vs. NOx < 300 µ/m3) were noted as independent risk factors for preeclampsia, with OR = 3.07 (95% CI 0.97; 9.70, p = 0.056) and OR = 3.43 (95% CI 1.20; 9.87, p = 0.022), respectively. Joint exposure to TRN and TRAP was associated with a significant and independent risk for preeclampsia (OR of 4.11 (95% CI 1.31; 12.94, p = 0.016). Conclusions: In our population, traffic-related noise and ambient TRAP were risk factors for preeclampsia.
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11
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Ma Q, Ma L, Liu F, Sun DJ. A Novel Driving Noise Analysis Method for On-Road Traffic Detection. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:4230. [PMID: 35684850 DOI: 10.3390/s22114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Effective noise reduction and abnormal feature extraction are important for abnormal sound detection occurring in urban traffic operations. However, to improve the detection accuracy of continuous traffic flow and even overlapping vehicle bodies, effective methods capable to achieve accurate signal-to-noise ratio and appropriate characteristic parameters should be explored. In view of the disadvantages of traditional traffic detection methods, such as Short-Time Energy (STE) and Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC), this study adopts an improved spectral subtraction method to analyze traffic noise. Through the feature fusion of STE and MFCC coefficients, an innovative feature parameter, E-MFCC, is obtained, assisting to propose a traffic noise detection solution based on Triangular Wave Analysis (TWA). APP Designer in MATLAB was used to establish a traffic detection simulation platform. The experimental results showed that compared with the accuracies of traffic detection using the traditional STE and MFCC methods as 67.77% and 76.01%, respectively, the detection accuracy of the proposed TWA is significantly improved, attaining 91%. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the traffic detection method proposed in solving the overlapping problem, thus achieving accurate detection of road traffic volume and improving the efficiency of road operation.
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12
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Flor D, Pena D, Oliveira HL, Pena L, de Sousa VA, Martins A. Evaluation of Acoustic Noise Level and Impulsiveness Inside Vehicles in Different Traffic Conditions. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:s22051946. [PMID: 35271093 PMCID: PMC8914845 DOI: 10.3390/s22051946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the issue of sound quality inside vehicles has attracted interest from both researchers and industry alike due to health concerns and also to increase the appeal of vehicles to consumers. This work extends the analysis of interior acoustic noise inside a vehicle under several conditions by comparing measured power levels and two different models for acoustic noise, namely the Gaussian and the alpha-stable distributions. Noise samples were collected in a scenario with real traffic patterns using a measurement setup composed of a Raspberry Pi Board and a microphone strategically positioned. The analysis of the acquired data shows that the observed noise levels are higher when traffic conditions are good. Additionally, the interior noise presented considerable impulsiveness, which tends to be more severe when traffic is slower. Finally, our results suggest that noise sources related to the vehicle itself and its movement are the most relevant ones in the composition of the interior acoustic noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Flor
- Department of Communications Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil; (H.L.O.); (V.A.d.S.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Danilo Pena
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil; (D.P.); (L.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Hyago Lucas Oliveira
- Department of Communications Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil; (H.L.O.); (V.A.d.S.J.)
| | - Luan Pena
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil; (D.P.); (L.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Vicente A. de Sousa
- Department of Communications Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil; (H.L.O.); (V.A.d.S.J.)
| | - Allan Martins
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil; (D.P.); (L.P.); (A.M.)
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13
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Gong X, Fenech B, Blackmore C, Chen Y, Rodgers G, Gulliver J, Hansell AL. Association between Noise Annoyance and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19052696. [PMID: 35270388 PMCID: PMC8910193 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To date, most studies of noise and mental health have focused on noise exposure rather than noise annoyance. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the available evidence supports an adverse association between noise annoyance and mental health problems in people. We carried out a literature search of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and conference proceedings published between 2000 and 2022. Thirteen papers met the inclusion criteria. We conducted meta-analyses of noise annoyance in relation to depression, anxiety, and general mental health. In the meta-analyses, we found that depression was approximately 1.23 times greater in those who were highly noise-annoyed (N = 8 studies). We found an approximately 55% higher risk of anxiety (N = 6) in highly noise-annoyed people. For general mental health (N = 5), highly annoyed participants had an almost 119% increased risk of mental health problems as assessed by Short Form (SF) or General Household Questionnaires (GHQ), but with high heterogeneity and risk of publication bias. In conclusion, findings are suggestive of a potential link between noise annoyance and poorer mental health based on a small number of studies. More evidence is needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangpu Gong
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK; (X.G.); (C.B.); (Y.C.); (J.G.)
- National Institute for Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
| | - Benjamin Fenech
- Noise and Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK; (B.F.); (G.R.)
| | - Claire Blackmore
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK; (X.G.); (C.B.); (Y.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Yingxin Chen
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK; (X.G.); (C.B.); (Y.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Georgia Rodgers
- Noise and Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK; (B.F.); (G.R.)
| | - John Gulliver
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK; (X.G.); (C.B.); (Y.C.); (J.G.)
- National Institute for Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
| | - Anna L. Hansell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK; (X.G.); (C.B.); (Y.C.); (J.G.)
- National Institute for Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)116-252-5408
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14
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Dunbar C, Catcheside P, Lechat B, Hansen K, Zajamsek B, Liebich T, Nguyen DP, Scott H, Lack L, Decup F, Vakulin A, Micic G. EEG power spectral responses to wind farm compared with road traffic noise during sleep: A laboratory study. J Sleep Res 2021; 31:e13517. [PMID: 34773428 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wind turbine noise is dominated by low frequencies for which effects on sleep relative to more common environmental noise sources such as road traffic noise remain unknown. This study examined the effect of wind turbine noise compared with road traffic noise on sleep using quantitative electroencephalogram power spectral analysis. Twenty-three participants were exposed to 3-min samples of wind turbine noise and road traffic noise at three sound pressure levels (33, 38 and 43 dBA) in randomised order during established sleep. Acute (0-30 s) and more sustained (30-180 s) effects of noise presentations during N2 and N3 sleep were examined using spectral analysis of changes in electroencephalogram power frequency ranges across time in 5-s intervals. Both noise types produced time- and sound pressure level-dependent increases in electroencephalogram power, but with significant noise type by sound pressure level interactions in beta, alpha, theta and delta frequency bands (all p < 0.05). Wind turbine noise showed significantly lower delta, theta and beta activity immediately following noise onset compared with road traffic noise (all p < 0.05). However, alpha activity was higher for wind turbine noise played at lower sound pressure levels (33 dBA [p = 0.001] and 38 dBA [p = 0.003]) compared with traffic noise during N2 sleep. These findings support that spectral analyses show subtle effects of noise on sleep and that electroencephalogram changes following wind turbine noise and road traffic noise onset differ depending on sound pressure levels; however, these effects were mostly transient and had little impact on conventionally scored sleep. Further studies are needed to establish if electroencephalogram changes associated with modest environmental noise exposures have significant impacts on sleep quality and next-day functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Dunbar
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Peter Catcheside
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Bastien Lechat
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,College of Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Kristy Hansen
- College of Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Branko Zajamsek
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Tessa Liebich
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Duc Phuc Nguyen
- College of Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Hannah Scott
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Leon Lack
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Felix Decup
- College of Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Andrew Vakulin
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Gorica Micic
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
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15
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Janson E, Johannessen A, Holm M, Franklin K, Holst GJ, Gislason T, Jögi R, Lindberg E, Svartengren M, Janson C. Insomnia associated with traffic noise and proximity to traffic-a cross-sectional study of the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe III population. J Clin Sleep Med 2021; 16:545-552. [PMID: 32022662 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.8274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Exposure to traffic noise increases the risk of sleeping disturbance, but little is known about the effect of traffic-related air pollution on insomnia symptoms. We aimed to investigate the separate associations of self-reported proximity to traffic and traffic noise with insomnia. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of the population included in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe study, consisting of randomly selected men and women born between 1945 and 1973, from 7 Northern European centers. Hearing traffic noise in the bedroom, bedroom window proximity to traffic, and insomnia symptoms were self-reported. Bedroom window proximity to traffic was used as a surrogate for exposure to traffic-related air pollution. The following insomnia symptoms were assessed: difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening. RESULTS A total of 12,963 individuals was included. Traffic noise was positively associated with all three insomnia symptoms: difficulty initiating sleep (odds ratio [OR] = 3.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.85, 6.76), difficulty maintaining sleep (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.62, 5.37), and early morning awakening (OR = 3.25; 95% CI: 1.97, 5.37). Proximity to traffic without disturbing noise was associated with difficulty initiating sleep (OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.45, 1.82). CONCLUSIONS This study adds further support to the identification of traffic noise as a risk factor for insomnia. Proximity to traffic without being exposed to noise was associated with an increased risk of difficulty initiating sleep. Our findings indicate that insomnia may be associated with both traffic noise and traffic-related air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ane Johannessen
- Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mathias Holm
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karl Franklin
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Surgery, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Gitte Juel Holst
- Department of Public Health, Section for Environment, Occupation and Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thorarinn Gislason
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, the National University Hospital of Iceland, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Rain Jögi
- Lung Clinic, Tartu University Clinics, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eva Lindberg
- Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Svartengren
- Department of Medical Sciences: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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16
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Zamorano-González B, Pena-Cardenas F, Velázquez-Narváez Y, Parra-Sierra V, Vargas-Martínez JI, Monreal-Aranda O, Ruíz-Ramos L. Traffic Noise Annoyance in the Population of North Mexico: Case Study on the Daytime Period in the City of Matamoros. Front Psychol 2021; 12:657428. [PMID: 34108913 PMCID: PMC8180601 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.657428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The presence of noise in urban environments is rarely considered a factor that causes damage to the environment. The primary generating source is transportation means, with vehicles being the ones that affect cities the most. Traffic noise has a particular influence on the quality of life of those who are exposed to it and can cause health alterations ranging from annoyance to cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to describe the relationship between the traffic noise level and the perceived annoyance in the inhabitants of a city on the Northern Border of Mexico. The work carried out in a city represents the vulnerability characteristics: economic, social, and migratory of its sizable portion of the inhabitants. Due to that, it is impossible to identify precisely the number of residents as the number of vehicles in circulation. Methods: The streets and avenues with an annual average daily traffic of more than 1,000 vehicles were considered for the measurement of traffic noise. The equipment used was a vehicle gauge with non-invasive speed radar; type I integrating sound level meters, with their respective gauges and tripods. A questionnaire was applied to people living within 250 m of the streets and avenues in which the noise was measured. Results: The noise measurement found a parameter of LAeq estimated for 12 h during the day, exceeding 70 dBA. The data received from the questionnaire were statistically tested by using Pearson's correlation tests. A total number of 2,350 people were participated, of whom 1,378 were women (58.6%) and 972 were men (41.4%). The age of participants is ranged from 18 to 75 years. The overall perception of traffic noise annoyance identified that 1,131 participants (48.1%) responded “Yes” as they considered the noise annoying. Participants who responded “No” as well as those who responded “Do not know” resulted in a total of 1,219 people (51.9%). Conclusion: The results show that the population is desensitized to traffic noise and does not perceive it as an annoyance. The flow of vehicles and the type of vehicles are the significant factors for the propagation and increase in the traffic noise levels. Women present a considerable appreciation of traffic noise perception instead of younger people who demonstrate a higher tolerance to high-level exposure. This reflects the lack of information of the population around the noise problem and its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benito Zamorano-González
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Pena-Cardenas
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Mexico
| | - Yolanda Velázquez-Narváez
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Mexico
| | - Víctor Parra-Sierra
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Mexico
| | | | - Oscar Monreal-Aranda
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Mexico
| | - Lucía Ruíz-Ramos
- Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros, Mexico
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17
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Stoyanov D, Petrova N, Novakov S, Dimitrova DD. University Students' Self-Rated Health in Relation to Perceived Acoustic Environment during the COVID-19 Home Quarantine. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:2538. [PMID: 33806377 PMCID: PMC7967325 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online education became mandatory for many students during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and blurred the distinction between settings where processes of stress and restoration used to take place. The lockdown also likely changed perceptions of the indoor acoustic environment (i.e., soundscape) and raised its importance. In the present study, we seek to understand how indoor soundscape related to university students' self-rated health in Bulgaria around the time that the country was under a state of emergency declaration caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Between 17 May and 10 June 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 323 students (median age 21 years; 31% male) from two universities in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Self-rated health (SRH) was measured with a single-item. Participants were asked how frequently they heard different types of sounds while at home and how pleasant they considered each of those sounds to be. Restorative quality of the home (the "being away" dimension of the Perceived Restorativeness Scale) was measured with a single-item. A priori confounders and effect modifiers included sociodemographics, house-related characteristics, general sensitivity to environmental influences, and mental health. Our analysis strategy involved sequential exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multivariate linear and ordinal regressions, effect modification tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS EFA supported grouping perceived sounds into three distinct factors-mechanical, human, and nature sounds. Regression analyses revealed that greater exposure to mechanical sounds was consistently associated with worse SRH, whereas no significant associations were found for human and nature sounds. In SEM, exposure to mechanical sounds related to lower restorative quality of the home, and then to poorer SRH, whereas nature sounds correlated with higher restorative quality, and in turn with better SRH. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a role of positive indoor soundscape and restorative quality for promoting self-rated health in times of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M. Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Drozdstoy Stoyanov
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
- Research Institute at Medical University—Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Petrova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Stoyan Novakov
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Donka D. Dimitrova
- Department of Health Management and Healthcare Economics, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
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18
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Stoyanov D, Petrova N, Novakov S, Dimitrova DD. University Students' Self-Rated Health in Relation to Perceived Acoustic Environment during the COVID-19 Home Quarantine. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18052538. [PMID: 33806377 DOI: 10.3390/20ijerph18052538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online education became mandatory for many students during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and blurred the distinction between settings where processes of stress and restoration used to take place. The lockdown also likely changed perceptions of the indoor acoustic environment (i.e., soundscape) and raised its importance. In the present study, we seek to understand how indoor soundscape related to university students' self-rated health in Bulgaria around the time that the country was under a state of emergency declaration caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Between 17 May and 10 June 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 323 students (median age 21 years; 31% male) from two universities in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Self-rated health (SRH) was measured with a single-item. Participants were asked how frequently they heard different types of sounds while at home and how pleasant they considered each of those sounds to be. Restorative quality of the home (the "being away" dimension of the Perceived Restorativeness Scale) was measured with a single-item. A priori confounders and effect modifiers included sociodemographics, house-related characteristics, general sensitivity to environmental influences, and mental health. Our analysis strategy involved sequential exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multivariate linear and ordinal regressions, effect modification tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS EFA supported grouping perceived sounds into three distinct factors-mechanical, human, and nature sounds. Regression analyses revealed that greater exposure to mechanical sounds was consistently associated with worse SRH, whereas no significant associations were found for human and nature sounds. In SEM, exposure to mechanical sounds related to lower restorative quality of the home, and then to poorer SRH, whereas nature sounds correlated with higher restorative quality, and in turn with better SRH. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a role of positive indoor soundscape and restorative quality for promoting self-rated health in times of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Drozdstoy Stoyanov
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Petrova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Stoyan Novakov
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Donka D Dimitrova
- Department of Health Management and Healthcare Economics, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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19
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Gabinet NM, Portnov BA. Assessing the impacts of ALAN and noise proxies on sleep duration and quality: evidence from a nation-wide survey in Israel. Chronobiol Int 2021; 38:638-658. [PMID: 33612016 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2021.1886111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Sleep is a reversible state that sustains physiological and psychological processes in humans. As well established, individual-level factors, such as stress, smoking, drugs, and caffeine intake, reduce sleep duration and quality. However, studies of the effect of environmental risk factors, such as artificial light at night (ALAN) and noise, on sleep have been infrequent. Using records obtained from the 2017 Social Survey of Israel and combined with ALAN satellite data and various proxies for traffic noise, the present study aimed to determine how the combination of ALAN and traffic noise impact sleep duration and quality in urban areas. The increase of road density at the place of residence reduces average sleep duration by ~4.5% (~18 min.) and increases the frequency of reported sleep difficulties by ~3.5%, all other factors held equal. Similarly, an increase in ALAN exposure reduces average sleep duration by ~3% (~12 min) and increases the frequency of reported sleep difficulties by ~11%. The study also reveals a significant interaction between the two environmental risk factors in question, with the adverse impact of ALAN on sleep quality especially pronounced in high noise exposure areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahum M Gabinet
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Boris A Portnov
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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20
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Issad SM, Benhafri N, El Allali K, Farsi H, Ouali-Hassenaoui S, Dekar-Madoui A. Effects of prolonged night-time light exposure and traffic noise on the behavior and body temperature rhythmicity of the wild desert rodent, Gerbillus tarabuli. Chronobiol Int 2021; 38:415-425. [PMID: 33435744 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2020.1862858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to demonstrate for the first time in Tarabul's gerbils (Gerbillus tarabuli), the effects of simultaneous exposure to two major environmental stressors - light and noise pollutions - on the body temperature rhythm and anxious behavior. Seven groups, each consisting of 6 adult male gerbils, were subjected to a standard LD cycle (12 L:12D) with lights on at 08:00 h and off at 20:00 h, constant conditions (total darkness, DD), prolonged nighttime exposure to light (PEL: 18 L:6D) with lights on at 08:00 h and off at 02:00 h, mimicking prolonged exposure to light pollution in peri-urban areas, exposure to auditory stress (TNS) of 80 dB, and conditions combining PEL&TNS. The body temperature circadian rhythm was recorded, and behavioral tests were performed at the end of experimental phases. The results revealed the existence, for the first time in Gerbilus tarabuli, of an endogenous circadian rhythm of body temperature with a period of 23.8 ± 0.04 h. Prolonged exposure to light at night (PEL) induced a significant phase delay (02 h 09 min ± 0.16 h) of the rhythm, with an acrophase (peak time) occurring at 04:42 ± 0.13 h instead of 02:33 ± 0.21 h. Exposure to TNS for 4 hours per night induced a significant increase of the amplitude of the rhythm and a decrease of the rhythm regularity (robustness of 73.26% in TNS vs. 82.32 in control condition). While combining TNS and PEL significantly delayed the phase of the Tb rhythm by 3 h 10 min (acrophase at 06:39 ± 0.37 h instead of 02:33 ± 0.21 h), increased the amplitude, and significantly reduced the stability of the rhythm (robustness of 67.25% in PEL&TNS vs. 82.32 in control condition). PEL&TNS and TNS environments induce an important stress in gerbils highlighted by a significant decrease of the number of line crossings and time spent in the center area of the open field test. Furthermore, elevated plus maze test revealed gerbils of the PEL&TNS and TNS conditions significantly visited the lowest number of open arms and spent a shorter amount of time in it. In addition, these conditions were responsible for less activity (total number of entries in arms) than in the control and PEL conditions. These results indicate clearly that in the desert area, peri-urban light and noise pollutions disturb the circadian rhythm components and alter the behavior of Tarabul's gerbils inducing an anxious state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salem Mamoun Issad
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Laboratory of Organism's Biology and Physiology, USTHB, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Nadir Benhafri
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Laboratory of Organism's Biology and Physiology, USTHB, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Khalid El Allali
- Comparative Anatomy Unit, Veterinary Medicine School, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Hicham Farsi
- Comparative Anatomy Unit, Veterinary Medicine School, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Saliha Ouali-Hassenaoui
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Laboratory of Organism's Biology and Physiology, USTHB, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Aicha Dekar-Madoui
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Laboratory of Organism's Biology and Physiology, USTHB, Algiers, Algeria
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21
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Ababzadeh S, Razavinia FS, Eslami Farsani M, Sharifimoghadam S, Moslehi A, Faghani D. Effect of short-term and long-term traffic noise exposure on the thyroid gland in adult rats: a sexual dimorphic study. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2020; 42:29-35. [PMID: 33781004 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2020-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Traffic noise, as one of the noise types, is a widespread feature of the urban environments. Traffic noise exposure can lead to hearing loss, hypertension, obesity and ischemic heart diseases. Thyroid hormones involved in the physiological and pathological conditions of the body. Therefore, this study was designed to aim the evaluation of traffic noise effects on thyroid hormones secretion and thyroid tissue structure. METHODS Seventy two males and females wistar rats were used in this study. After one week adaptation, they divided randomly into 12 groups; the control, short term (one day) and long term (one, two, three and four weeks) groups. Traffic sound was recorded, adjusted and played (86 dB) for animals. Female rats' cycle estrus was matched. At the end of experiment, the animals were anesthetized and cardiac blood sample was drawn. Thyroid tissue was then removed. Levels of the T3, T4, TSH, corticosterone and H&E staining were measured. p<0.05 considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS Findings showed that in the one-day group, T3 levels increased and T3 levels decreased in the long term groups (p<0.05). In the same way, concentration of TSH decreased in the one day, while they increased in the one, two, three and four weeks' groups (p<0.05). Histopathological evaluations showed that in the female and male animals, long-term traffic noise increased the full follicles and decreased empty follicles (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that traffic noise exposure led to increase of T3 plasma concentration and decrement of TSH level, although in the long term, they return to basal status. It may be due to adaptation to traffic noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Ababzadeh
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Anatomical Sciences Department, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Eslami Farsani
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Anatomical Sciences Department, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | | | - Azam Moslehi
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Dorsa Faghani
- Student Research Committee, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
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22
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Karem H, Mehla J, Kolb BE, Mohajerani MH. Traffic noise exposure, cognitive decline, and amyloid-beta pathology in an AD mouse model. Synapse 2020; 75:e22192. [PMID: 33096582 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Concerns are growing that exposure to environmental pollutants, such as traffic noise, might cause cognitive impairments and predispose individuals toward the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. In this study in a knock-in mouse model of AD, we investigated how chronic traffic noise exposure (CTNE) impacts cognitive performance and amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology. A group of APPNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice was exposed to CTNE (70 dBA , 8 hr/day for 1 month) and compared with nonexposed counterparts. Following CTNE, an increase in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responsivity was observed by corticosterone assay of the blood. One month after CTNE, the CTNE group demonstrated impairments in cognitive and motor functions, and indications of anxiety-like behavior, relative to the control animals. The noise-exposed group also showed elevated Aβ aggregation, as inferred by a greater number of plaques and larger average plaque size in various regions of the brain, including regions involved in stress regulation. The results support that noise-associated dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system as a potential risk factor for developing cognitive impairment and Aβ pathology, which should be further investigated in human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadil Karem
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Jogender Mehla
- Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bryan E Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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23
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Hegewald J, Schubert M, Freiberg A, Romero Starke K, Augustin F, Riedel-Heller SG, Zeeb H, Seidler A. Traffic Noise and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E6175. [PMID: 32854453 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that traffic noise may negatively impact mental health. However, existing systematic reviews provide an incomplete overview of the effects of all traffic noise sources on mental health. We conducted a systematic literature search and summarized the evidence for road, railway, or aircraft noise-related risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and dementia among adults. We included 31 studies (26 on depression and/or anxiety disorders, 5 on dementia). The meta-analysis of five aircraft noise studies found that depression risk increased significantly by 12% per 10 dB LDEN (Effect Size = 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.23). The meta-analyses of road (11 studies) and railway traffic noise (3 studies) indicated 2–3% (not statistically significant) increases in depression risk per 10 dB LDEN. Results for road traffic noise related anxiety were similar. We did not find enough studies to meta-analyze anxiety and railway or aircraft noise, and dementia/ cognitive impairment and any traffic noise. In conclusion, aircraft noise exposure increases the risk for depression. Otherwise, we did not detect statistically significant risk increases due to road and railway traffic noise or for anxiety. More research on the association of cognitive disorders and traffic noise is required. Public policies to reduce environmental traffic noise might not only increase wellness (by reducing noise-induced annoyance), but might contribute to the prevention of depression and anxiety disorders.
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24
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Senzaki M, Kadoya T, Francis CD. Direct and indirect effects of noise pollution alter biological communities in and near noise-exposed environments. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200176. [PMID: 32183626 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Noise pollution is pervasive across every ecosystem on Earth. Although decades of research have documented a variety of negative impacts of noise to organisms, key gaps remain, such as how noise affects different taxa within a biological community and how effects of noise propagate across space. We experimentally applied traffic noise pollution to multiple roadless areas and quantified the impacts of noise on birds, grasshoppers and odonates. We show that acoustically oriented birds have reduced species richness and abundance and different community compositions in experimentally noise-exposed areas relative to comparable quiet locations. We also found both acoustically oriented grasshoppers and odonates without acoustic receptors to have reduced species richness and/or abundance in relatively quiet areas that abut noise-exposed areas. These results suggest that noise pollution not only affects acoustically oriented animals, but that noise may reverberate through biological communities through indirect effects to those with no clear links to the acoustic realm, even in adjacent quiet environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Senzaki
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.,Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Nishi 5, Kita 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Taku Kadoya
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Clinton D Francis
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
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25
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Buregeya JM, Apparicio P, Gelb J. Short-Term Impact of Traffic-Related Particulate Matter and Noise Exposure on Cardiac Function. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E1220. [PMID: 32070063 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and noise exposure contributes to detrimental effects on cardiac function, but the underlying short-term effects related to their simultaneous personal exposure remain uncertain. The aim is to assess the impact of total inhaled dose of particulate matter and total noise exposure on the variations of electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters between pre-cycling and post-cycling periods. Mid-June 2019, we collected four participants' personal exposure data related to traffic-related noise and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) as well as ECG parameters. Several Bayesian linear models were built to examine a potential association between air pollutants and noise exposure and ECG parameters: heart rate (HR), standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), percentage of successive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50), root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD), low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and ratio of low- to high-frequency power (LF/HF). We analyzed in total 255 5-min segments of RR intervals. We observed that per 1 µg increase in cumulative inhaled dose of PM2.5 was associated with 0.48 (95% CI: 0.22; 15.61) increase in variation of the heart rate, while one percent of total noise dose was associated with 0.49 (95% CI: 0.17; 0.83) increase in variation of heart rate between corresponding periods. Personal noise exposure was no longer significant once the PM2.5 was introduced in the whole model, whilst coefficients of the latter that were significant previously remained unchanged. Short-term exposure to traffic-related air and noise pollution did not, however, have an impact on heart rate variability.
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26
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Münzel T, Kröller-Schön S, Oelze M, Gori T, Schmidt FP, Steven S, Hahad O, Röösli M, Wunderli JM, Daiber A, Sørensen M. Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Traffic Noise with a Focus on Nighttime Noise and the New WHO Noise Guidelines. Annu Rev Public Health 2020; 41:309-328. [PMID: 31922930 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-081519-062400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to traffic noise is associated with stress and sleep disturbances. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently concluded that road traffic noise increases the risk for ischemic heart disease and potentially other cardiometabolic diseases, including stroke, obesity, and diabetes. The WHO report focused on whole-day noise exposure, but new epidemiological and translational field noise studies indicate that nighttime noise, in particular,is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) through increased levels of stress hormones and vascular oxidative stress, leading to endothelial dysfunction and subsequent development of various CVDs. Novel experimental studies found noise to be associated with oxidative stress-induced vascular and brain damage, mediated by activation of the NADPH oxidase, uncoupling of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and vascular/brain infiltration with inflammatory cells. Noise-induced pathophysiology was more pronounced in response to nighttime as compared with daytime noise. This review focuses on the consequences of nighttime noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Münzel
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Oelze
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Tommaso Gori
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Frank P Schmidt
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sebastian Steven
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Omar Hahad
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Daiber
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Mette Sørensen
- Diet, Genes and Environment Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Natural Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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27
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Brink M, Schäffer B, Vienneau D, Pieren R, Foraster M, Eze IC, Rudzik F, Thiesse L, Cajochen C, Probst-Hensch N, Röösli M, Wunderli JM. Self-Reported Sleep Disturbance from Road, Rail and Aircraft Noise: Exposure-Response Relationships and Effect Modifiers in the SiRENE Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E4186. [PMID: 31671890 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This survey investigates the cross-sectional association between nighttime road, rail and aircraft noise exposure and the probability to be highly sleep disturbed (%HSD), as measured by self-report in postal and online questionnaires. As part of the Swiss SiRENE study, a total of 5592 survey participants in the entire country were selected based on a stratified random sample of their dwelling. Self-reported sleep disturbance was measured using an ICBEN-style 5-point verbal scale. The survey was carried out in four waves at different times of the year. Source-specific noise exposure was calculated for several façade points for each dwelling. After adjustment for potential confounders, all three noise sources showed a statistically significant association between the nighttime noise level LNight at the most exposed façade point and the probability to report high sleep disturbance, as determined by logistic regression. The association was strongest for aircraft noise and weakest for road traffic noise. We a priori studied the role of a range of effect modifiers, including the “eventfulness” of noise exposure, expressed as the Intermittency Ratio (IR) metric, bedroom window position, bedroom orientation towards the closest street, access to a quiet side of the dwelling, degree of urbanization, sleep timing factors (bedtime and sleep duration), sleep medication intake, survey season and night air temperature. While bedroom orientation exhibited a strong moderating effect, with an Leq-equivalent of nearly 20 dB if the bedroom faces away from the nearest street, the LNight-%HSD associations were not affected by bedroom window position, sleep timing factors, survey season, or temperature.
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28
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Lechner C, Schnaiter D, Bose-O'Reilly S. Combined Effects of Aircraft, Rail, and Road Traffic Noise on Total Noise Annoyance-A Cross-Sectional Study in Innsbruck. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16183504. [PMID: 31546974 PMCID: PMC6766025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Noise legislation in Austria does not provide an assessment of the cumulative effect of noise from different sources. The desire of citizens for a total noise assessment is getting stronger. Within the pilot project “Gesamtlärmbetrachtung” (Total Noise Investigation) Innsbruck, data from 1031 face-to-face interviews were correlated with exposure data from road, rail and air traffic noise. The interviews were selected in clusters according to the exposure combinations of these three sources. In addition to exposure-response relationships, it has also been found that the annoyance response to air and rail traffic noise is independent of the background noise from road traffic. The total noise annoyance response shows a cumulative effect in each source considered. From the source specific exposure-response relationships, a total noise assessment model based on the annoyance equivalents model was developed. This model is more suitable than the dominant source model and thus also considerable for legal application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Lechner
- Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria.
- Office of the Tyrolean Regional Government, Department for Emission, Safety and Sites, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | | | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria.
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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29
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Schubert M, Hegewald J, Freiberg A, Starke KR, Augustin F, Riedel-Heller SG, Zeeb H, Seidler A. Behavioral and Emotional Disorders and Transportation Noise among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16183336. [PMID: 31510007 PMCID: PMC6765874 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Children and adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences such as noise which can affect mental well-being. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of transportation noise on behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents using a meta-analytic approach. Therefore, we searched four databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsychINFO, and PSYNDEX) and grey literature until February of 2019. We identified 14 articles from 10 studies examining the effect of transportation noise exposure on the mental health of children. These studies predominately used the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and mainly focused on schoolchildren and adolescents aged 9–10 years and 15–17 years in Europe. Three studies could be included in the meta-analysis. In sum, the odds for hyperactivity/inattention and total difficulties was significantly increased by 11% (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.11 (95% Confidence Interval, CI 1.04–1.19), respectively 9% (95% CI 1.02–1.16) per 10 dB road traffic noise. Thus, we obtained evidence for an effect of road traffic noise on hyperactivity/inattention and total difficulties, although we could consider few studies. Future studies are needed that use similar techniques to assess outcomes and exposures at schools and in homes. This would make it possible to conduct an individual participant data pooled analysis of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schubert
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Janice Hegewald
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Alice Freiberg
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Karla Romero Starke
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Franziska Augustin
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Steffi G Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS GmbH, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28344 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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30
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Tobollik M, Hintzsche M, Wothge J, Myck T, Plass D. Burden of Disease Due to Traffic Noise in Germany. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16132304. [PMID: 31261828 PMCID: PMC6651346 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Traffic noise is nearly ubiquitous and thus can affect the health of many people. Using the German noise mapping data according to the Directive 2002/49/EC of 2017 and exposure-response functions for ischemic heart disease, noise annoyance and sleep disturbance assessed by the World Health Organization's Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region the burden of disease due to traffic noise is quantified. The burden of disease is expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and its components. The highest burden was found for road traffic noise, with 75,896 DALYs when only considering moderate evidence. When including all available evidence, 176,888 DALYs can be attributable to road traffic noise. The burden due to aircraft and railway noise is lower because fewer people are exposed. Comparing the burden by health outcomes, the biggest share is due to ischemic heart disease (90%) in regard to aircraft noise, however, the lowest evidence was expressed for the association between traffic noise and ischemic heart disease. Therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution. Using alternative input parameters (e.g., exposure data) can lead to a much higher burden. Nevertheless, environmental noise is an important risk factor which leads to considerable loss of healthy life years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Tobollik
- German Environment Agency, Section Exposure Assessment and Environmental Health Indicators, Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Matthias Hintzsche
- German Environment Agency, Section Noise Abatement of Industrial Plants and Products, Noise Impact, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
| | - Jördis Wothge
- German Environment Agency, Section Noise Abatement of Industrial Plants and Products, Noise Impact, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
| | - Thomas Myck
- German Environment Agency, Section Noise Abatement of Industrial Plants and Products, Noise Impact, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
| | - Dietrich Plass
- German Environment Agency, Section Exposure Assessment and Environmental Health Indicators, Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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31
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Hennig F, Moebus S, Reinsch N, Budde T, Erbel R, Jöckel KH, Lehmann N, Hoffmann B, Kälsch H. Investigation of air pollution and noise on progression of thoracic aortic calcification: results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 27:965-974. [PMID: 31189380 PMCID: PMC7272124 DOI: 10.1177/2047487319854818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aims Air pollution and noise are potential risk factors for subclinical
atherosclerosis. Longitudinal analyses, especially on the interplay of these
environmental factors, are scarce and inconsistent. Hence we investigated
long-term traffic-related exposure to air pollution and noise with the
development and progression of thoracic aortic calcification, a marker of
subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods We used baseline (2000–2003) and follow-up (2006–2008) data from the German
Heinz Nixdorf Recall cohort study, including 4814 middle-aged adults.
Residence-based air pollution (PM2.5 (aerodynamic
diameter ≤ 2.5 µm), PM10, nitrogen dioxide and particle number),
and noise was assessed with dispersion models. Thoracic aortic calcification
was quantified from non-contrast enhanced electron beam computed tomography.
The presence and extent of thoracic aortic calcification progression were
analysed with multiple logistic and linear regression models, respectively,
adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle variables, socioeconomic status and
respective co-exposure. Results We observed no association in the full study sample
(n = 3155, mean age 59.1 (±7.6) years, 52.8% women). While
an interquartile range in particle number and night-time noise yielded odds
ratios of 1.20 (1.03, 1.40) and 1.21 (1.00, 1.46) for binary thoracic aortic
calcification progression, and 0.02 (–0.01, 0.05) and 0.04 (0.00, 0.07)
higher growth rates of thoracic aortic calcification in participants with
baseline thoracic aortic calcification less than 10, negative findings were
observed in those with baseline thoracic aortic calcification of 10 or
greater. Results were similar for other pollutants and daytime noise. Conclusion Our study shows no overall associations. Subgroup analyses suggest
independent associations of traffic-related air pollution and noise with the
development and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in participants
with no or minor thoracic aortic calcification at baseline, in contrast to
negative findings in those with advanced calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Hennig
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Moebus
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Nico Reinsch
- Alfried Krupp Hospital Essen, Department of Cardiology, Germany.,Medical Department, University Witten/Herdecke, Germany
| | - Thomas Budde
- Alfried Krupp Hospital Essen, Department of Cardiology, Germany
| | - Raimund Erbel
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Jöckel
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Nils Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Barbara Hoffmann
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hagen Kälsch
- Alfried Krupp Hospital Essen, Department of Cardiology, Germany.,Medical Department, University Witten/Herdecke, Germany
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32
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Seidler A, Hegewald J, Seidler AL, Schubert M, Zeeb H. Is the Whole More Than the Sum of Its Parts? Health Effects of Different Types of Traffic Noise Combined. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16091665. [PMID: 31086115 PMCID: PMC6539743 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16091665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Many epidemiological studies find that people exposed to aircraft, road or railway traffic noise are at increased risk of illness, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression. It is unclear how the combined exposure to these different types of traffic noise affects disease risks. This study addresses this question with a large secondary data-based case-control study (“NORAH disease risk study”). The Akaike information criterion (AIC) is used to compare two different models estimating the disease risks of combined traffic noise. In comparison with the conventional energetic addition of noise levels, the multiplication of CVD risks as well as depression risks reveals a considerably better model fit as expressed by much lower AIC values. This is also the case when risk differences between different types of traffic noise are taken into account by applying supplements or reductions to the single traffic noise pressure levels in order to identify the best fitting energetic addition model. As a consequence, the conventionally performed energetic addition of noise levels might considerably underestimate the health risks of combined traffic noise. Based on the NORAH disease risk study, “epidemiological risk multiplication” seems to provide a better estimate of the health risks of combined traffic noise exposures compared to energetic addition. If confirmed in further studies, these results should imply consequences for noise protection measures as well as for traffic planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Janice Hegewald
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Anna Lene Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2050, Australia.
| | - Melanie Schubert
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
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33
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Kirisits C, Lechner C, Kirisits H. Impact of uncertainties related to noise indicator determination on observed exposure-effect relationship. Noise Health 2018; 20:212-216. [PMID: 30516174 PMCID: PMC6301088 DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_57_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Noise indicators are the basis to describe noise exposure-effect relationships. The assessment of these noise indicators in field studies includes various uncertainties, so that the true values differ from the determined values used for establishing curve fits. If the relationship between a noise indicator and its effect is nonlinear, uncertainties of the noise indicator modify the observed exposure-effect relationships. MATERIALS AND METHODS The determination of an exposure-relationship curve fit within a field study was simulated based on the assumption of a given true exposure-relationship without uncertainties and normal distributed uncertainties for the observed noise indicator used for the statistics. RESULTS In case of an upward curvature of the exposure-effect relationship, the uncertainty for the noise indicator value leads to an asymmetric effect for the curve fit. Uncertainties of the same amount of over- or underestimation will not result in an identical over- or underestimation of the observed effect. A simulation of this effect shows an increased curvature of the observed curve fit, with overestimated exposure-effect relationships. CONCLUSION Although linear exposure-effect curves are not observed with a systematic shift, quadratic, cubic, and exponential curve forms include a systematic uncertainty in the presented exposure-response curve. If such curves are used to define threshold levels to limit harmful effects of noise, no further uncertainty margins are needed for those situations where the calculated noise indicator uncertainties are equal or lower than those present in the underlying field study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kirisits
- Kirisits Consulting Engineers, Pinkafeld/Vienna, Austria
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Lechner
- Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT—University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
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34
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Seidler AL, Hegewald J, Schubert M, Weihofen VM, Wagner M, Dröge P, Swart E, Zeeb H, Seidler A. The effect of aircraft, road, and railway traffic noise on stroke - results of a case-control study based on secondary data. Noise Health 2018; 20:152-161. [PMID: 30136675 PMCID: PMC6122263 DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To examine the stroke risks associated with aircraft, road traffic, and railway noise exposure in a large case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS All people aged ≥40 years living around the Frankfurt airport that were insured by one of three large statutory health insurance funds between 2005 and 2010 were included in the study (n = 1,026,670). Address-specific exposure to aircraft, road, and railway traffic noise was estimated for 2005. We used insurance claim data to identify 25,495 newly diagnosed cases of stroke between 2006 and 2010 and compared them with 827,601 control participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios adjusted for age, sex, local proportion of people receiving unemployment benefits, and if available individual indicators of socioeconomic status (education, occupation). RESULTS For 24-h continuous aircraft noise exposure, neither increased risk estimates nor a positive linear exposure-risk relation was found. However, stroke risk was statistically significantly increased by 7% [95% confidence intervals (95%CI): 2-13%] for people who were exposed to <40 dB of 24-h continuous aircraft noise, but ≥6 events of maximum nightly sound pressure levels ≥50 dB. For road and railway traffic noise, there was a positive linear exposure-risk relation: Per 10 dB the stroke risk increased by 1.7% (95%CI: 0.3-3.2%) for road traffic noise and by 1.8% (95%CI: 0.1-3.3%) for railway traffic noise. The maximum risk increase of 7% (95%CI: 0-14%) for road traffic noise and 18% (95%CI: 2-38%) for railway traffic noise was found in the exposure category ≥65 to <70 dB. CONCLUSION This large case-control study indicates that traffic noise exposure may lead to an increase in stroke risk. It furthermore suggests that maximum aircraft noise levels at night increase the stroke risk even when continuous noise exposure is low, and thus highlights the relevance of maximum noise levels for research and policies on noise protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lene Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Janice Hegewald
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Melanie Schubert
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Verena Maria Weihofen
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mandy Wagner
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Patrik Dröge
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Enno Swart
- Institute of Social Medicine and Health Economics, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Guski R, Schreckenberg D, Schuemer R. WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: A Systematic Review on Environmental Noise and Annoyance. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E1539. [PMID: 29292769 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: This paper describes a systematic review and meta-analyses on effects of environmental noise on annoyance. The noise sources include aircraft, road, and rail transportation noise as well as wind turbines and noise source combinations. Objectives: Update knowledge about effects of environmental noise on people living in the vicinity of noise sources. Methods: Eligible were published studies (2000-2014) providing comparable acoustical and social survey data including exposure-response functions between standard indicators of noise exposure and standard annoyance responses. The systematic literature search in 20 data bases resulted in 62 studies, of which 57 were used for quantitative meta-analyses. By means of questionnaires sent to the study authors, additional study data were obtained. Risk of bias was assessed by means of study characteristics for individual studies and by funnel plots to assess the risk of publication bias. Main Results: Tentative exposure-response relations for percent highly annoyed residents (%HA) in relation to noise levels for aircraft, road, rail, wind turbine and noise source combinations are presented as well as meta-analyses of correlations between noise levels and annoyance raw scores, and the OR for increase of %HA with increasing noise levels. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE terminology. The evidence of exposure-response relations between noise levels and %HA is moderate (aircraft and railway) or low (road traffic and wind turbines). The evidence of correlations between noise levels and annoyance raw scores is high (aircraft and railway) or moderate (road traffic and wind turbines). The evidence of ORs representing the %HA increase by a certain noise level increase is moderate (aircraft noise), moderate/high (road and railway traffic), and low (wind turbines). Strengths and Limitations: The strength of the evidence is seen in the large total sample size encompassing the included studies (e.g., 18,947 participants in aircraft noise studies). Main limitations are due to the variance in the definition of noise levels and %HA. Interpretation: The increase of %HA in newer studies of aircraft, road and railway noise at comparable Lden levels of earlier studies point to the necessity of adjusting noise limit recommendations. Funding: The review was funded by WHO Europe.
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Evandt J, Oftedal B, Hjertager Krog N, Nafstad P, Schwarze PE, Marit Aasvang G. A Population-Based Study on Nighttime Road Traffic Noise and Insomnia. Sleep 2017; 40:2662183. [PMID: 28364487 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsw055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Study Objectives The aims of the present study were to investigate how nighttime road traffic noise relates to self-reported symptoms of insomnia and sleep medication use. Methods We used questionnaire data from the population-based study Health and Environment in Oslo (HELMILO) (2009-2010; n = 13019). The insomnia symptoms difficulties falling asleep, awakenings during the night, and waking up too early in the morning as well as self-reported sleep medication use were included as outcomes. Modeled noise levels (Lnight) were assigned to each participant's home address. For selecting covariates to the statistical model, we used a directed acyclic graph. The associations between noise and sleep were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, we found an odds ratio (OR) of 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.09) for the association between traffic noise and difficulties falling asleep, in the total study population. For the association between traffic noise and awakenings during the night, the OR was 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00-1.08) and for waking up too early, the OR was 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02-1.11). The effect estimates are given per 5-dB increase in traffic noise level (Lnight). Self-reported sleep medication use was not statistically significantly associated with traffic noise exposure. Conclusions In an adult population from Oslo, traffic noise was associated with difficulties falling asleep and waking up too early. These findings indicate that sleep quantity may be compromised for individuals living in areas highly exposed to nighttime traffic noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorunn Evandt
- Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Air Pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health,Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Oftedal
- Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Air Pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health,Oslo, Norway
| | - Norun Hjertager Krog
- Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Air Pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health,Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Nafstad
- Department of Community Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Domain for Mental and Physical Health, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per E Schwarze
- Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Air Pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health,Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunn Marit Aasvang
- Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Air Pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health,Oslo, Norway
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Karsten J, Hagenauw LA, Kamphuis J, Lancel M. Low doses of mirtazapine or quetiapine for transient insomnia: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:327-337. [PMID: 28093029 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116681399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Low doses of the antidepressant mirtazapine or the neuroleptic quetiapine are often prescribed off-label for insomnia. However, studies on the effects on sleep and hangover effects the following day are scarce. In this randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial, the influence of 7.5 mg mirtazapine and 50 mg quetiapine on both normal sleep and sleep disturbed by acoustic stress (traffic noise) as a model for transient insomnia was assessed. Additionally, hangover effects on next-day alertness and cognitive functioning were examined. A total of 19 healthy men without sleep complaints completed three treatment sessions, each session consisting of three consecutive nights in one of the mirtazapine, quetiapine or placebo conditions. Sleep was assessed using polysomnography and the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire. Daytime sleepiness and cognitive functioning were assessed using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Digit Symbol Substitution Task, Psychomotor Vigilance Task and an addition task. Under acoustic stress, both mirtazapine and quetiapine increased total sleep time by half an hour and reduced the number of awakenings by 35-40% compared to placebo. While quetiapine specifically increased the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep, stage N2, mirtazapine mainly increased deep sleep stage N3. Subjects reported that both mirtazapine and quetiapine eased getting to sleep and improved sleep quality. Both drugs caused daytime sleepiness and lessened sustained attention. These findings support the use of low doses of mirtazapine and quetiapine for the treatment of insomnia. Further prospective studies on the long-term effects regarding effectiveness and adverse effects are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Karsten
- 1 Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Mental Health Services Drenthe, Assen, the Netherlands
| | - Loes A Hagenauw
- 1 Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Mental Health Services Drenthe, Assen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeanine Kamphuis
- 1 Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Mental Health Services Drenthe, Assen, the Netherlands
| | - Marike Lancel
- 1 Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Mental Health Services Drenthe, Assen, the Netherlands.,2 Psychiatric Sleep Center Assen, Mental Health Services Drenthe, Assen, the Netherlands.,3 Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Long AM, Colón MR, Bosman JL, Robinson DH, Pruett HL, McFarland TM, Mathewson HA, Szewczak JM, Newnam JC, Morrison ML. A before-after control-impact assessment to understand the potential impacts of highway construction noise and activity on an endangered songbird. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:379-389. [PMID: 28070300 PMCID: PMC5213193 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise associated with highway construction and operation can have individual- and population-level consequences for wildlife (e.g., reduced densities, decreased reproductive success, behavioral changes). We used a before-after control-impact study design to examine the potential impacts of highway construction and traffic noise on endangered golden-cheeked warblers (Setophaga chrysoparia; hereafter warbler) in urban Texas. We mapped and monitored warbler territories before (2009-2011), during (2012-2013), and after (2014) highway construction at three study sites: a treatment site exposed to highway construction and traffic noise, a control site exposed only to traffic noise, and a second control site exposed to neither highway construction or traffic noise. We measured noise levels at varying distances from the highway at sites exposed to construction and traffic noise. We examined how highway construction and traffic noise influenced warbler territory density, territory placement, productivity, and song characteristics. In addition, we conducted a playback experiment within study sites to evaluate acute behavioral responses to highway construction noises. Noise decreased with increasing distance from the highways. However, noise did not differ between the construction and traffic noise sites or across time. Warbler territory density increased over time at all study sites, and we found no differences in warbler territory placement, productivity, behavior, or song characteristics that we can attribute to highway construction or traffic noise. As such, we found no evidence to suggest that highway construction or traffic noise had a negative effect on warblers during our study. Because human population growth will require recurring improvements to transportation infrastructure, understanding wildlife responses to anthropogenic noise associated with the construction and operation of roads is essential for effective management and recovery of prioritized species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Long
- Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - Melanie R Colón
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - Jessica L Bosman
- Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - Dianne H Robinson
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX USA; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Waukesha WI USA
| | - Hannah L Pruett
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX USA; Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Environmental Services Atlanta GA USA
| | - Tiffany M McFarland
- Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - Heather A Mathewson
- Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Texas A&M University College Station TX USA; Department of Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Science Tarleton State University Stephenville TX USA
| | - Joseph M Szewczak
- Department of Biological Sciences Humboldt State University Arcata CA USA
| | - J Cal Newnam
- Texas Department of Transportation Austin TX USA
| | - Michael L Morrison
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
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Puyana Romero V, Maffei L, Brambilla G, Ciaburro G. Acoustic, Visual and Spatial Indicators for the Description of the Soundscape of Waterfront Areas with and without Road Traffic Flow. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:E934. [PMID: 27657105 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13090934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High flows of road traffic noise in urban agglomerations can negatively affect the livability of squares and parks located at the neighborhood, district and city levels, therefore pushing anyone who wants to enjoy calmer, quieter areas to move to non-urban parks. Due to the distances between these areas, it is not possible to go as regularly as would be necessary to satisfy any needs. Even if cities are densely populated, the presence of a sea or riverfront offers the possibility of large restorative places, or at least with potential features for being the natural core of an urban nucleus after a renewal intervention. This study evaluates the soundscape of the Naples waterfront, presenting an overview of the most significant visual, acoustic and spatial factors related to the pedestrian areas, as well as areas open to road traffic and others where the road traffic is limited. The factors were chosen with feature selection methods and artificial neural networks. The results show how certain factors, such as the perimeter between the water and promenade, the visibility of the sea or the density of green areas, can affect the perception of the soundscape quality in the areas with road traffic. In the pedestrian areas, acoustic factors, such as loudness or the A-weighted sound level exceeded for 10% of the measurement duration (LA10), influence the perceived quality of the soundscape.
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Zytoon MA. Opportunities for Environmental Noise Mapping in Saudi Arabia: A Case of Traffic Noise Annoyance in an Urban Area in Jeddah City. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:ijerph13050496. [PMID: 27187438 PMCID: PMC4881121 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13050496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As the traffic and other environmental noise generating activities are growing in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), adverse health and other impacts are expected to develop. The management of such problem involves many actions, of which noise mapping has been proven to be a helpful approach. The objective of the current study was to test the adequacy of the available data in KSA municipalities for generating urban noise maps and to verify the applicability of available environmental noise mapping and noise annoyance models for KSA. Therefore, noise maps were produced for Al-Fayha District in Jeddah City, KSA using commercially available noise mapping software and applying the French national computation method “NMPB” for traffic noise. Most of the data required for traffic noise prediction and annoyance analysis were available, either in the Municipality GIS department or in other governmental authorities. The predicted noise levels during the three time periods, i.e., daytime, evening, and nighttime, were found higher than the maximum recommended levels established in KSA environmental noise standards. Annoyance analysis revealed that high percentages of the District inhabitants were highly annoyed, depending on the type of planning zone and period of interest. These results reflect the urgent need to consider environmental noise reduction in KSA national plans. The accuracy of the predicted noise levels and the availability of most of the necessary data should encourage further studies on the use of noise mapping as part of noise reduction plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Zytoon
- Department of Industrial Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Occupational Health & Air Pollution, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, 165 El-Horrya Avenue, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Briggs D, Mason K, Borman B. Rapid Assessment of Environmental Health Impacts for Policy Support: The Example of Road Transport in New Zealand. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 13:ijerph13010061. [PMID: 26703699 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
An integrated environmental health impact assessment of road transport in New Zealand was carried out, using a rapid assessment. The disease and injury burden was assessed from traffic-related accidents, air pollution, noise and physical (in)activity, and impacts attributed back to modal source. In total, road transport was found to be responsible for 650 deaths in 2012 (2.1% of annual mortality): 308 from traffic accidents, 283 as a result of air pollution, and 59 from noise. Together with morbidity, these represent a total burden of disease of 26,610 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). An estimated 40 deaths and 1874 DALYs were avoided through active transport. Cars are responsible for about 52% of attributable deaths, but heavy goods vehicles (6% of vehicle kilometres travelled, vkt) accounted for 21% of deaths. Motorcycles (1 per cent of vkt) are implicated in nearly 8% of deaths. Overall, impacts of traffic-related air pollution and noise are low compared to other developed countries, but road accident rates are high. Results highlight the need for policies targeted at road accidents, and especially at heavy goods vehicles and motorcycles, along with more general action to reduce the reliance on private road transport. The study also provides a framework for national indicator development.
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Kaiser K, Devito J, Jones CG, Marentes A, Perez R, Umeh L, Weickum RM, McGovern KE, Wilson EH, Saltzman W. Effects of anthropogenic noise on endocrine and reproductive function in White's treefrog, Litoria caerulea. Conserv Physiol 2015; 3:cou061. [PMID: 27293682 PMCID: PMC4778486 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cou061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization is a major driver of ecological change and comes with a suite of habitat modifications, including alterations to the local temperature, precipitation, light and noise regimes. Although many recent studies have investigated the behavioural and ecological ramifications of urbanization, physiological work in this area has lagged. We tested the hypothesis that anthropogenic noise is a stressor for amphibians and that chronic exposure to such noise leads to reproductive suppression. In the laboratory, we exposed male White's treefrogs, Litoria caerulea, to conspecific chorus noise either alone or coupled with pre-recorded traffic noise nightly for 1 week. Frogs presented with anthropogenic noise had significantly higher circulating concentrations of corticosterone and significantly decreased sperm count and sperm viability than did control frogs. These results suggest that in addition to having behavioural and ecological effects, anthropogenic change might alter physiology and Darwinian fitness. Future work should integrate disparate fields such as behaviour, ecology and physiology to elucidate fully organisms' responses to habitat change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Kaiser
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Julia Devito
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Caitlin G. Jones
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Adam Marentes
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Rachel Perez
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Lisa Umeh
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Regina M. Weickum
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Kathryn E. McGovern
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Emma H. Wilson
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Wendy Saltzman
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between occupational noise and cardiovascular outcomes has been widely investigated. Regarding environmental noise levels, the attention is focused on road traffic noise due to the large number of exposed persons and the large periods of exposure. There are few studies assessing the short-term effects of traffic noise on cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to quantify the short-term effects of urban noise levels on age-specific cardiovascular mortality. METHODS A case-crossover design was used. Daily mortality counts in Madrid city due to cardiovascular causes (ICD codes: 390-459) from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005 were obtained. Data noise levels were collected as diurnal equivalent noise (Leqd8-22 h), night equivalent noise (Leqn22-8 h), and daily equivalent noise (Leq24 h). Confounding variables as daily levels of air pollutants, temperature, and relative humidity data were controlled. Overdispersed Poisson regression models were adjusted to control for both seasonality and time trends. Estimated effects are reported as percentage increase in the relative risk (IRR) associated with an increase of 1 dBA. RESULTS The strongest associations between all noise exposure levels and cardiovascular mortality were reported at lag 1: IRR 4.5% (95% CI 0.6, 8.7%), IRR 3.9% (95% CI 0.6, 7.3%), and IRR 6.2% (95% CI 2.1, 10.6%) for Leqd, Leqn, and Leq24, respectively. Analysing by age-specific groups at lag 1, statistically significant associations were found for those aged ≥65: 4.5% (95% CI 0.3, 8.9%), 3.4% (95% CI 0.1, 6.9%), and 6.6% (95% CI 2.2, 11.1%) for Leqd, Leqn, and Leq24, with no substantial changes in the effects of noise exposure levels at lag 1 after adjusting for PM2.5 and NO2. CONCLUSION The association found between noise exposure levels and cardiovascular mortality suggests a joint effect of diurnal and night-time noise levels. Our results also reveal independent effects of noise exposure levels and the air pollutants analysed. This strongly suggests the need to seriously consider the high noise exposure levels reported as an important public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tobías
- Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Recio
- Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Díaz
- Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Linares
- Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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Sørensen M, Ketzel M, Overvad K, Tjønneland A, Raaschou-Nielsen O. Exposure to road traffic and railway noise and postmenopausal breast cancer: A cohort study. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:2691-8. [PMID: 24338235 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to traffic noise may result in stress and sleep disturbances. Studies on self-reported sleep duration and breast cancer risk have found inconsistent results. In a population-based Danish cohort of 29,875 women aged 50-64 years at enrolment in 1993-1997, we identified 1219 incident, postmenopausal breast cancer cases during follow-up through 2010. Mean follow-up time was 12.3 years. Road traffic and railway noise was calculated for all present and historical residential addresses from 1987 to 2010. We used Cox proportional hazard model for analyses and adjusted for hormone replacement therapy use, parity, alcohol consumption and other potential confounders. We found no overall association between residential road traffic or railway noise and breast cancer risk. Among women with estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, a 10-dB higher level of road traffic noise (continuous scale) during the previous 1, 5 and 10 years were associated with 28% (95% CI: 1.04-1.56), 23% (95% CI: 1.00-1.51) and 20% (95% CI: 0.97-1.48) higher risks of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, respectively, in fully adjusted models. Similarly, a 10-dB increase in railway noise (1-year mean at diagnosis address) increased risk for estrogen receptor negative breast cancer by 38% (95% CI: 1.01-1.89). There was no association between road traffic or railway noise and estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. In conclusion, these results suggest that residential road traffic and railway noise may increase risk of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. As the first study on traffic noise and breast cancer results should be treated with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Sørensen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
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McClure CJW, Ware HE, Carlisle J, Kaltenecker G, Barber JR. An experimental investigation into the effects of traffic noise on distributions of birds: avoiding the phantom road. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20132290. [PMID: 24197411 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.2290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many authors have suggested that the negative effects of roads on animals are largely owing to traffic noise. Although suggestive, most past studies of the effects of road noise on wildlife were conducted in the presence of the other confounding effects of roads, such as visual disturbance, collisions and chemical pollution among others. We present, to our knowledge, the first study to experimentally apply traffic noise to a roadless area at a landscape scale-thus avoiding the other confounding aspects of roads present in past studies. We replicated the sound of a roadway at intervals-alternating 4 days of noise on with 4 days off-during the autumn migratory period using a 0.5 km array of speakers within an established stopover site in southern Idaho. We conducted daily bird surveys along our 'Phantom Road' and in a nearby control site. We document over a one-quarter decline in bird abundance and almost complete avoidance by some species between noise-on and noise-off periods along the phantom road and no such effects at control sites-suggesting that traffic noise is a major driver of effects of roads on populations of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J W McClure
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, , 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USA, Idaho Bird Observatory, , Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USA
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Bilenko N, van Rossem L, Brunekreef B, Beelen R, Eeftens M, Hoek G, Houthuijs D, de Jongste JC, van Kempen E, Koppelman GH, Meliefste K, Oldenwening M, Smit HA, Wijga AH, Gehring U. Traffic-related air pollution and noise and children's blood pressure: results from the PIAMA birth cohort study. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2013; 22:4-12. [PMID: 24047569 DOI: 10.1177/2047487313505821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Elevation of a child's blood pressure may cause possible health risks in later life. There is evidence for adverse effects of exposure to air pollution and noise on blood pressure in adults. Little is known about these associations in children. We investigated the associations of air pollution and noise exposure with blood pressure in 12-year-olds. METHODS Blood pressure was measured at age 12 years in 1432 participants of the PIAMA birth cohort study. Annual average exposure to traffic-related air pollution [NO2, mass concentrations of particulate matter with diameters of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and less than 10 µm (PM10), and PM2.5 absorbance] at the participants' home and school addresses at the time of blood pressure measurements was estimated by land-use regression models. Air pollution exposure on the days preceding blood pressure measurements was estimated from routine air monitoring data. Long-term noise exposure was assessed by linking addresses to modelled equivalent road traffic noise levels. Associations of exposures with blood pressure were analysed by linear regression. Effects are presented for an interquartile range increase in exposure. RESULTS Long-term exposure to NO2 and PM2.5 absorbance were associated with increased diastolic blood pressure, in children who lived at the same address since birth [adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) [mmHg] 0.83 (0.06 to 1.61) and 0.75 (-0.08 to 1.58), respectively], but not with systolic blood pressure. We found no association of blood pressure with short-term air pollution or noise exposure. CONCLUSIONS Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution may increase diastolic blood pressure in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bert Brunekreef
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Beelen
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Gerard Hoek
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Danny Houthuijs
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Johan C de Jongste
- Erasmus University Medical Center/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elise van Kempen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- University Medical Center Groningen/Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Alet H Wijga
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Crino OL, Johnson EE, Blickley JL, Patricelli GL, Breuner CW. Effects of experimentally elevated traffic noise on nestling white-crowned sparrow stress physiology, immune function and life history. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:2055-62. [PMID: 23430998 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.081109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Roads have been associated with behavioral and physiological changes in wildlife. In birds, roads decrease reproductive success and biodiversity and increase physiological stress. Although the consequences of roads on individuals and communities have been well described, the mechanisms through which roads affect birds remain largely unexplored. Here, we examine one mechanism through which roads could affect birds: traffic noise. We exposed nestling mountain white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) to experimentally elevated traffic noise for 5 days during the nestling period. Following exposure to traffic noise we measured nestling stress physiology, immune function, body size, condition and survival. Based on prior studies, we expected the traffic noise treatment to result in elevated stress hormones (glucocorticoids), and declines in immune function, body size, condition and survival. Surprisingly, nestlings exposed to traffic noise had lower glucocorticoid levels and improved condition relative to control nests. These results indicate that traffic noise does affect physiology and development in white-crowned sparrows, but not at all as predicted. Therefore, when evaluating the mechanisms through which roads affect avian populations, other factors (e.g. edge effects, pollution and mechanical vibration) may be more important than traffic noise in explaining elevated nestling stress responses in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondi L Crino
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
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Sørensen M, Andersen ZJ, Nordsborg RB, Becker T, Tjønneland A, Overvad K, Raaschou-Nielsen O. Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and incident diabetes: a cohort study. Environ Health Perspect 2013; 121:217-22. [PMID: 23229017 PMCID: PMC3569689 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1205503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Road traffic noise at normal urban levels can lead to stress and sleep disturbances. Both excess of stress hormones and reduction in sleep quality and duration may lead to higher risk for type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether long-term exposure to residential road traffic noise is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. METHODS In the population-based Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort of 57,053 people 50-64 years of age at enrollment in 1993-1997, we identified 3,869 cases of incident diabetes in a national diabetes registry between enrollment and 2006. The mean follow-up time was 9.6 years. Present and historical residential addresses from 1988 through 2006 were identified using a national register, and exposure to road traffic noise was estimated for all addresses. Associations between exposure to road traffic noise and incident diabetes were analyzed in a Cox regression model. RESULTS A 10-dB higher level of average road traffic noise at diagnosis and during the 5 years preceding diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes, with incidence rate ratios (IRR) of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.14) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.18), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders including age, body mass index, waist circumference, education, air pollution (nitrogen oxides), and lifestyle characteristics. After applying a stricter definition of diabetes (2,752 cases), we found IRRs of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.19) and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.22) per 10-dB increase in road traffic noise at diagnosis and during the 5 years preceding diagnosis, respectively. CONCLUSION Exposure to residential road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk of diabetes. This study provides further evidence that urban noise may adversely influence population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Sørensen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Halonen JI, Vahtera J, Stansfeld S, Yli-Tuomi T, Salo P, Pentti J, Kivimäki M, Lanki T. Associations between nighttime traffic noise and sleep: the Finnish public sector study. Environ Health Perspect 2012; 120:1391-6. [PMID: 22871637 PMCID: PMC3491945 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1205026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between traffic noise and sleep problems have been detected in experimental studies, but population-level evidence is scarce. OBJECTIVES We studied the relationship between the levels of nighttime traffic noise and sleep disturbances and identified vulnerable population groups. METHODS Noise levels of nighttime-outdoor traffic were modeled based on the traffic intensities in the cities of Helsinki and Vantaa, Finland. In these cities, 7,019 public sector employees (81% women) responded to postal surveys on sleep and health. We linked modeled outdoor noise levels to the residences of the employees who responded to the postal survey. We used logistic regression models to estimate associations of noise levels with subjectively assessed duration of sleep and symptoms of insomnia (i.e., difficulties falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, waking up too early in the morning, nonrestorative sleep). We also used stratified models to investigate the possibility of vulnerable subgroups. RESULTS For the total study population, exposure to levels of nighttime-outside (L(night, outside)) traffic noise > 55 dB was associated with any insomnia symptom ≥ 2 nights per week [odds ratio (OR) = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.65]. Among participants with higher trait anxiety scores, which we hypothesized were a proxy for noise sensitivity, the ORs for any insomnia symptom at exposures to L(night, outside) traffic noises 50.1-55 dB and > 55 dB versus ≤ 45 dB were 1.34 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.80) and 1.61 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.42), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Nighttime traffic noise levels > 50 dB L(night, outside) was associated with insomnia symptoms among persons with higher scores for trait anxiety. For the total study population, L(night, outside) > 55 dB was positively associated with any symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana I Halonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
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Sheng N, Tang UW. Spatial analysis of urban form and pedestrian exposure to traffic noise. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2011; 8:1977-90. [PMID: 21776213 PMCID: PMC3138008 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph8061977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the Macao Peninsula, the high population density (49,763 inhabitants/km2) and the lack of control over the number of vehicles (460 vehicles/km) have led to an increase in urban pollution. To provide useful information to local government and urban planners, this paper investigates the spatial distribution of traffic noise in the Macao Peninsula. The interactions among urban form, traffic flow and traffic noise are addressed. Considering the spatial nature of urban geometry and traffic, a high-resolution GIS-based traffic noise model system is applied. Results indicate that the Macao Peninsula has fallen into a situation of serious traffic noise pollution. About 60% of traffic noise levels along the major pedestrian sidewalks in the evening peak hour exceed the National Standard of 70 dB(A) in China. In particular, about 21% of traffic noise levels along the pedestrian sidewalks are above the National Standard by 5 dB(A). Noticeably, the high pedestrian exposure to traffic noise in the historical urban area reduces the comfort of tourists walking in the historic centre and is ruining the reputation of the area as a World Cultural Heritage site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Sheng
- Faculty of Management and Administration, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China; E-Mail:
| | - U. Wa Tang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Macau, Choi Kai Yau Building, Taipa, Macau, China
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +853-28882613; Fax: +853-28882613
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