Noise-induced annoyance and morbidity results from the pan-European LARES study

Abstract

Traffic noise (road noise, railway noise, aircraft noise, noise of parking cars), is the most dominant source of annoyance in the living environment of many European countries. This is followed by neighbourhood noise (neighbouring apartments, staircase and noise within the apartment). The subjective experience of noise stress can, through central nervous processes, lead to an inadequate neuro-endocrine reaction and finally lead to regulatory diseases. Within the context of the LARES-survey (Large Analysis and Review of European housing and health Status), noise annoyance in the housing environment was collected and evaluated in connection with medically diagnosed illnesses. Adults who indicated chronically severe annoyance by neighbourhood noise were found to have an increased health risk for the cardiovascular system and the movement apparatus, as well as an increased risk of depression and migraine. Furthermore adults with chronically strong annoyance by traffic noise additionally showed an increased risk for respiratory health problems. With regards to older people both neighbourhood and traffic noise indicated in general a lower risk of noise annoyance induced illness than in adults. It can be assumed that the effect of noise-induced annoyance in older people is concealed by physical consequences of age (with a strong increase of illnesses). With children the effects of noise-induced annoyance from traffic, as well as neighbourhood noise, are evident in the respiratory system. The increased risk of illness in the respiratory system in children does not seem to be caused primarily by air pollutants, but rather, as the results for neighbourhood noise demonstrate, by emotional stress.

Physiological and Physical Impact of Noise Pollution on Environment

“…The situation is getting seriously alarming with increase in traffic density on city roads. The smoke from cars and traffic are of great concern to the changes the climate of this country and that of the world in general (Niemann et al, 2006). Medical sciences giving lot of time and hard work to treat health hazards and risk, whereas health is a main issue because know increasing number of factories and transport in the globe the noise risk has been increased.…”

“…Population, economic development and advance transport are some of the main objects for environmental noise and health risks (Maschke et al, 2006). A study in London tells that 340 children are expose to the air craft noise of ages 8-11 they results in annoyance poor reading and comprehension (Hagler, 1999).…”

Sistema de apoio à avaliação de impactos da poluição sonora sobre a saúde pública

“…Studies indicate that high noise levels can induce emotional instability and a tendency to hostility, intolerance, and aggressiveness 3,49,50,51,52 .…”

“…Noise pollution can alter rhythmic breathing movements, heart rate, and blood flow and viscosity and lead to hypertension and decreased tissue oxygenation 3,46,47,48 .…”

“…Studies on the effects of noise have identified it as a public health problem and one of the forms of pollution that most affects people 1,2,3,4,5 . However, due to its physical nature (propagating without causing permanent alterations), noise evaluation can be complex and subjective, especially concerning its impacts on health, often with psychosomatic and social manifestations 6,7,8,9 .…”