Abstract
Introduction: Traffic noise disturbs communication, concentration and sleep, which can lead to annoyance. A few studies show that green spaces can moderate noise annoyance, using small population samples from locations with high noise levels. There is a lack of knowledge from population-based studies, covering a wider range of noise levels. The aim of this study was to explore whether access to green spaces moderates the relationship between noise and annoyance in an urban population, representing a wide range of noise levels. Second, we examined the association between distribution of green spaces and poverty. Methods: A survey from 2009-10, including 11 547 participants, provided data on noise annoyance and distance to nearest green space. The proportion of poor people in each statistical unit of the city was obtained from national statistics. Road traffic noise levels at the most exposed side of the participants' dwellings were calculated according to standard methods. Regression models, adjusted for relevant covariates, were used to examine the influence of green spaces on the relationship between traffic noise and annoyance. The relation between green space and poverty was assessed by correlation analysis. Results: We found a statistically significant interaction effect between noise (Lden) and access to green spaces on noise annoyance (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that with a 5 dB increase in traffic noise, annoyance increased more for those with no access to green spaces (> 500 m) compared to those with access (< 500 m) (confidence intervals not overlapping). We found that access to green spaces was associated with reduced annoyance for noise levels =60 dB corresponding to a difference in noise level of nearly 5 dB. A correlation of -0.02 was found between green spaces and poverty. Conclusions: Access to green spaces may moderate noise annoyance. There was no marked association between the distribution of green spaces and poverty in the study city.
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