Effects Of Road Traffic Noise Research Articles

Interlaboratory comparison of ISO 23351-1: speech level reduction of furniture ensembles

We examined the effects of both wind turbine noise and road traffic noise on symptoms and diseases close to wind turbines and in a control area. Wind turbine sound levels were between 1739 dB LAeq and met the Finnish regulation (40 dB). Daytime road traffic noise levels were 32.5-63.5 dB. Altogether 676 residents responded to the questionnaire. Higher wind turbine sound level was associated with more likely reporting wind turbine noise annoyance and not with reporting of symptoms or chronic diseases. Higher road traffic sound level was associated with higher probability of road traffic noise annoyance, migraine or headache, dizziness, impaired hearing, pressure in ears, tachycardia or heart palpitations, and heart disease. The health effects of wind farms seem to be limited to noise annoyance in areas where all residents are exposed to sound levels under 40 dB. The study has strong practical relevance since new wind power areas always fulfill this 40 dB regulation in Finland. On the other hand, more than 600.000 inhabitants are exposed to road traffic noise levels above 55 dB in Finland. Because high road traffic noise is associated with elevated prevalence of symptoms and a disease in our study, and several previous international studies have found even more serious health effects of road traffic noise, this issue deserves higher concern in the future.

Health burden of road traffic noise in the EU in 2020–2035

The negative health effects of road traffic noise in the EU are analyzed over the period 2020–2035. For a baseline scenario, with autonomous traffic growth and fleet development, we find that there will be 31 million highly annoyed persons and 15 million highly sleep-disturbed persons in the EU in 2030. The corresponding EU health burden in 2030 is equivalent to the loss of 1.7 million “healthy life years”. Various noise abatement scenarios are analyzed, with noise solutions such as quiet road surfaces, quiet tires, and electric vehicles. The health benefits of the scenarios are calculated as health-burden differences from the baseline scenario. The calculation methodology is based on the noise exposure distributions reported in 2017 by EU member states, for urban agglomerations and for major roads. Changes in noise exposure are calculated with EU model Cnossos for vehicle emission, considering different types of roads (residential streets, main roads, motorways,...), and taking into account the separate contributions of rolling noise and propulsion noise to the vehicle emission. Two different noise valuation methods are used to express the health benefits in Euros. The monetized health benefits are used as input for a cost-benefit analysis of the scenarios over the period 2020–2035. For quiet tires, for example, high health benefits and low costs are found, resulting in a high benefit-cost ratio. This work was part of a study for the European Commission, exploring different options for reducing the EU health burden caused by noise from road, rail, and air traffic.

Impact of road traffic noise on annoyance and preventable mortality in European cities: A health impact assessment.

Road traffic is the main source of environmental noise in European cities and one of the main environmental risks to health and wellbeing. In this study we aimed to provide an in-depth assessment of available road traffic noise data and to estimate population exposure and health impacts for cities in Europe. We conducted the analysis for 724 cities and 25 greater cities in 25 European countries. We retrieved road traffic strategic noise maps delivered under the Environmental Noise Directive (END) or available from local sources. We assessed noise exposure using the 24hday-evening-night noise level indicator (Lden) starting at exposure levels of 55dB Lden - based on data availability - for the adult population aged 20 and over (n=123,966,346). For the adults exposed to noise levels above 55dB Lden we estimated the health impacts of compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 53dB Lden. Two primary health outcomes were assessed: high noise annoyance and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), using mortality from IHD causes as indicator. Exposure Response Functions (ERFs) relating road traffic noise exposure to annoyance and IHD mortality were retrieved from the literature. Uncertainties in input parameters were propagated using Monte Carlo simulations to obtain point estimates and empirical 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Lastly, the noise maps were categorized as high, moderate and low quality following a qualitative approach. Strategic noise map data was delivered in three distinct formats (i.e. raster, polygon or polyline) and had distinct noise ranges and levels of categorization. The majority of noise maps (i.e. 83.2%) were considered of moderate or low quality. Based on the data provided, almost 60 million adults were exposed to road traffic noise levels above 55dB Lden, equating to a median of 42% (Interquartile Range (IQR): 31.8-64.8) of the adult population across the analysed cities. We estimated that approximately 11 million adults were highly annoyed by road traffic noise and that 3608 deaths from IHD (95% CI: 843-6266) could be prevented annually with compliance of the WHO recommendation. The proportion of highly annoyed adults by city had a median value of 7.6% (IQR: 5.6-11.8) across the analysed cities, while the number preventable deaths had a median of 2.2 deaths per 100,000 population (IQR: 1.4-3.1). Based on the provided strategic noise maps a considerable number of adults in European cities are exposed to road traffic noise levels harmful for health. Efforts to standardize the strategic noise maps and to increase noise and disease data availability at the city level are needed. These would allow for a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of the health impacts and further help local governments to address the adverse health effects of road traffic noise.

OBSERVING PEOPLE'S REACTIONS AND RESPONSES TO URBAN ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE (RTN) IN JORDAN

The subjective aspect of assessing Road Traffic Noise (RTN) in urban agglomerations is crucial, as it takes into consideration the sensitivity and specific reactions of residents to Road Traffic noise (RTN) in their living environments. This paper aims to present a detailed sociological study initiated to measure the level of public awareness regarding RTN and estimate the impact of RTN disturbance on RTN disturbance their daily activities. For this purpose, an attitudinal survey was conducted using a predesigned questionnaire with limited noise measurements. The questioners were distributed to the neighboring residents of one of the most congested arterial roads in Amman, Jordan’s capital. The questioner firstly focused on evaluating the awareness of respondents of the problem magnitude and its environmental and health impacts, and secondly, assessing the effects of RTN as perceived by the respondents on different daily activities. The analysis of the collected data found that around 50% of respondents believe that RTN impacts the environment, and 60% believe that RTN affects human health, while 38% consider changing their place of residence and moving to a quieter place. The main results of the study showed that RTN causes annoyance to people while performing their daily activities, especially while studying and resting. Further main reported impacts included causing fatigue (64%), anxiety (75%), nervousness (87%), focus reduction (89%), and discomfort (90%).

Health impact assessment of road traffic noise in the EU in 2020-2035

The negative health effects of road traffic noise in the EU are analyzed over the period 20202035. For a baseline scenario, with autonomous traffic growth and fleet development, it is found that the EU health burden in 2030 is equivalent to the loss of 1.7 million 'healthy life years'. Various noise abatement scenarios are analyzed, with noise solutions such as quiet road surfaces, quiet tyres, and electric vehicles. The health benefits of the scenarios are calculated as healthburden differences from the baseline scenario. The calculation methodology is based on the noise exposure distributions reported in 2017 by EU member states, for urban agglomerations and for major roads. Changes in noise exposure are calculated with EU model Cnossos for vehicle emission, considering different types of roads (residential streets, main roads, motorways,...). The monetized health benefits are used as input for a costbenefit analysis of the scenarios over the period 2020-2035. For quiet tyres, for example, high health benefits and low costs are found, resulting in a high cost-to-benefit ratio. This work was part of a study for the European Commision, exploring different options for reducing the EU health burden caused by noise from road, rail, and air traffic.

Association between exposure to road traffic noise and hearing impairment: a case-control study.

Noise pollution in urban areas is increasing steadily, and the study of road traffic noises and their effects on the auditory system was rare. This study investigated the potential effects of road traffic noise on auditory systems and hearing. A case-control study recruited outpatients from the Otolaryngology department. The case group (n = 41) had binaural hearing loss (HL) ofstandard pure-tone average(PTA) ≥ 25dB or high frequency PTA≥ 25dB, while the control group (n = 39) had binaural hearing level of any frequency < 25dB. Detailed otologic evaluations were performed. Between-group data were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Case or control group was identified based on the audiogram. A total of 80 subjects were recruited, including 41 with hearing impairment and 39 as control. The mean exposure level of road traffic noise was significantly higher in the case group than the control group (p = 0.005). A crude OR of 5.78 showed an increased risk of greater than 70dB of road traffic noise on hearing impairment and tinnitus (p < 0.001). The aOR of 9.24 (p = 0.002) from a multiple variate analysis suggested that road traffic noise levels greater than 70dB may have a damaging effect on hearing. Damaging effects on hearing persisted even after adjusting for confounders in the full multivariate model (aOR of 9.24 [95% CI: 2.198-38.869]; p = 0.002). Exposing to road traffic noise greater than 70dB showed an increased risk of damage to the auditory system. These results might help public health administrators and physicians to develop programs that address the health dangers of noise.

Road traffic noise, noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, psychological and physical health and mortality

BackgroundBoth physical and psychological health outcomes have been associated with exposure to environmental noise. Noise sensitivity could have the same moderating effect on physical and psychological health outcomes related to environmental noise exposure as on annoyance but this has been little tested.MethodsA cohort of 2398 men between 45 and 59 years, the longitudinal Caerphilly Collaborative Heart Disease study, was established in 1984/88 and followed into the mid-1990s. Road traffic noise maps were assessed at baseline. Psychological ill-health was measured in phase 2 in 1984/88, phase 3 (1989/93) and phase 4 (1993/7). Ischaemic heart disease was measured in clinic at baseline and through hospital records and records of deaths during follow up. We examined the longitudinal associations between road traffic noise and ischaemic heart disease morbidity and mortality using Cox Proportional Hazard Models and psychological ill-health using Logistic Regression; we also examined whether noise sensitivity and noise annoyance might moderate these associations. We also tested if noise sensitivity and noise annoyance were longitudinal predictors of ischaemic heart disease morbidity and mortality and psychological ill-health.ResultsRoad traffic noise was not associated with ischaemic heart disease morbidity or mortality. Neither noise sensitivity nor noise annoyance moderated the effects of road traffic noise on ischaemic heart disease morbidity or mortality. High noise sensitivity was associated with lower ischaemic heart disease mortality risk (HR = 0.74, 95%CI 0.57, 0.97). Road traffic noise was associated with Phase 4 psychological ill-health but only among those exposed to 56-60dBA (fully adjusted OR = 1.82 95%CI 1.07, 3.07). Noise sensitivity moderated the association of road traffic noise exposure with psychological ill-health. High noise sensitivity was associated longitudinally with psychological ill-health at phase 3 (OR = 1.85 95%CI 1.23, 2.78) and phase 4 (OR = 1.65 95%CI 1.09, 2.50). Noise annoyance predicted psychological ill-health at phase 4 (OR = 2.47 95%CI 1.00, 6.13).ConclusionsNoise sensitivity is a specific predictor of psychological ill-health and may be part of a wider construct of environmental susceptibility. Noise sensitivity may increase the risk of psychological ill-health when exposed to road traffic noise. Noise annoyance may be a mediator of the effects of road traffic noise on psychological ill-health.

Influence of Road Traffic Noise on English Reading Comprehension of Chinese College Students Majoring in English

Noise has a negative impact on language learning. But first and second lan-guages are affected differently by noise. To clarify the effects of road traffic noise on second language learning, this study explores deep into how road traffic noise, the main noise on university campuses, affects the English reading comprehension of Chinese college students majoring in English. The subjects were asked to finish English reading comprehension tests of three difficulty levels (easy, medium and hard) under road traffic noises of three sound pressure levels (SPLs), namely, 30 dBA, 50 dBA and 70 dBA. The score, time consumption and number of interruptions of each subject were recorded, and subjected to one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). In addition, the subjects were asked to evaluate the impacts of road traffic noises on their comprehension. The results show that: the scores of English reading comprehension gradually decreased with the growing of the SPL of road traffic noise, but the decrease is only significant for easy questions; the time consumption of reading comprehension was not greatly affected by the SPL of road traffic noise; the subjects were interrupted more frequently by road traffic noises of 50 dBA and 70 dBA than road traffic noise of 30 dBA, but the difference is only significant for hard test; according to the self-evaluation of the English majors, interruption is the main problem brought by road traffic noise, which is replaced by distraction at the SPL of 70 dBA. Overall, the road traffic noise can disturb the English reading comprehension of Chinese college students majoring in English, and the disturbance is relat-ed to the difficulty of the text. The higher the SPL of the road traffic noise, the readers are more anxious and more frequently disturbed in reading, and the lower the score of English comprehension. In addition, attention should be paid to the disturbance of 30 dBA road traffic noise on second language learners.

Effect of the frequency spectrum of road traffic noise on sleep: A polysomnographic study.

Spectrum of sound affects noise annoyance. Spectral differences of road traffic noise (RTN) transmitted indoors are usual because of spectrally different sound insulation of facades. The purpose was to compare the effect of RTN spectrum on sleep. Twenty-one volunteers slept three nights in a sleep laboratory in three sound conditions: low-frequency (LF) RTN, high-frequency (HF) RTN, and quiet (control). The A-weighted equivalent levels were 37, 37, and 17 dB LAeq,8h, respectively. The nocturnal time profiles of LF and HF were equal. Sleep was measured with polysomnography and questionnaires. HF and LF did not differ from each other in respect to their effects on both objective and subjective sleep quality. The duration of deep sleep was shorter, satisfaction with sleep lower, and subjective sleep latency higher in HF and LF than in quiet. Contrary to subjective ratings given right after the slept night, HF was rated as the most disturbing condition for sleep after the whole experiment (retrospective rating). The finding suggests the sound insulation spectrum of the facade construction might play a role regarding the effects of RTN. More research is needed about the effects of spectrum on sleep because the field is very little investigated.

Effects of road traffic noise on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases: The case of Thessaloniki, Greece

Road traffic noise is a growing challenge for human health in the last decades. World Health Organization (WHO) summarized the scientific evidence on side effects of noise on public health and wellbeing since 1999 in its publication “Guidelines for community noise”. The WHO’s documentation was completed in 2009 with the Night Noise Guidelines for Europe and in 2011 with the Burden of disease from environmental noise highlighting the negative effects of environmental noise on health.In this paper, we studied and presented the overall noise levels and the exposure of the population in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece.The estimation of the exposure to road traffic noise was based on the census data for a 15-year time period (e.g. 2000–2015).The quantification of the environmental burden of cardiovascular diseases, due to urban traffic noise, is calculated in terms of DALYs. The calculation is based on the morbidity and mortality data from the hypertensive, ischemic heart, and cerebrovascular diseases of the total population.Our analysis proved that the road traffic noise in Thessaloniki causes almost 2000 DALYs lost in the total population each year.Also, the exposure to road traffic noise was estimated by three measuring points, two of them located in the urban Thessaloniki (a high traffic highway and a residential area) and the third one situated in one urban background area in the urban outskirts of Thessaloniki.The noise levels were measured for a 24-h period during a 3 year time period for every measuring point. The imposed WHO noise levels were exceeded in both high traffic highway and residential areas for almost the whole time of the measurement period.

Impact of road traffic noise on functional connectivity of human brain networks

With the rapid economic development, the rapid increase in motor vehicle holdings, a sharp increase in urban road traffic, road traffic noise exposure is becoming increasingly serious. This paper focuses on the impact of traffic noise exposure on the human brain. We collected road traffic noise sounds of different sound pressure levels (SPLs), and recorded the electroencephalograph (EEG) when subjects exposed under different SPLs’ road noise. Using the graphic theoretical-based EEG method, the effects of road traffic noise with different SPLs on the functional connectivity of human brain networks were studied. Using time-frequency analysis, the beta2 bands was found to be most sensitive frequency band to different SPLs road noise. The brain network characteristic parameters of different SPLs noises were calculated. It is found that in these two frequency bands, the higher the noise SPL, the lower the clustering coefficient and the higher the characteristic path length. In summary, the paper points out the specific effects of road noise with different SPLs on the human brains. It is found that the higher the SPL of noise, the greater the damage to the functional connectivity of the human brain. That means, noise exposure can affect the rate at which the brain processes, analyses, and transmits information. The research results can provide a basis for road noise evaluation and prevention.

A Review of Adverse Effects of Road Traffic Noise on Human Health

Noise pollution due to road traffic is a potential threat to human health. Since it is a global hazard, the rapid urbanization and exponential traffic growth have aggravated the problem. Population residing along the busy traffic lanes is continuously exposed to the sound levels which are above the permissible limits. This constant exposure to noise pollution is a cause of concern as it leads to several adverse impacts on human health. Traffic noise causes irritation and annoyance, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disease, risk of stroke, diabetes, hypertension and loss of hearing. It results in decreased work performance. The present review highlights the serious health hazards of road traffic noise (RTN) which needs to be curbed. Preventive measures of noise pollution can help in combating noise-induced health hazards and increased work performance.

Road traffic noise exposure association with self-reported body mass index

New epidemiological evidence is starting to emerge about the association between road traffic noise (RTN) exposure and markers of obesity, but results have been controversial. This study aimed to determine the association between RTN exposure and self-reported body mass index (BMI) in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. A cross-sectional non-probabilistic survey was carried out among 513 residents (18-83 years). BMI was calculated from self-reported body weight and height and linked to individual exposure to RTN. Linear and Poisson regression models were set up to explore the total and direct effects of RTN on BMI and obesity. Total effects were 0.48 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.15-0.81) increase in BMI per 5 dB Lden in thewhole sample and 0.63 kg/m2 (95%CI: 0.01-1.24) among long-term residents (?20 years). The relative risks of obesity were 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.05) among all participants and 1.05 (95%CI: 1.01-1.09) among long-term residents. Direct effects were also significant. In conclusion, RTN exposure was significantly and positively associated with BMI and obesity. Future research is necessary in order to overcome the limitations of this study and extend its inferences to the general population

Inclusion of Noise in Environmental Assessment of Road Transportation

In life cycle assessment (LCA) of road transportation systems, limited attention is given to noise as an impact category. This paper presents a method in order to include the environmental effects of noise in the LCA of road transportation. Life cycle inventory is developed based on the IMAGINE road vehicle noise emission model. Life cycle impact assessment is based on cause-effect chain including fate, exposure, effect, and damage analysis. The health effects of road traffic noise are evaluated in terms of acute myocardial infarction, annoyance, and sleep disturbance. The corresponding health damages are quantified using disability adjusted life years (DALY). A case study evaluating the health effects of road transportation noise for the nine municipalities of Istanbul using the proposed method is also presented. It was shown that transportation noise has significant adverse health effects and therefore should be accounted for in the LCA of road transportation along with other environmental interventions.

The impact of road traffic noise on cognitive performance in attention-based tasks depends on noise level even within moderate-level ranges.

Little empirical evidence is available regarding the effects of road traffic noise on cognitive performance in adults, although traffic noise can be heard at many offices and home office workplaces. Our study tested the impact of road traffic noise at different levels (50 dB(A), 60 dB(A), 70 dB(A)) on performance in three tasks that differed with respect to their dependency on attentional and storage functions, as follows: The Stroop task, in which performance relied predominantly on attentional functions (e.g., inhibition of automated responses; Experiment 1: n = 24); a non-automated multistage mental arithmetic task calling for both attentional and storage functions (Exp. 2: n = 18); and verbal serial recall, which placed a burden predominantly on storage functions (Experiment 3: n = 18). Better performance was observed during moderate road traffic noise at 50 dB(A) compared to loud traffic noise at 70 dB(A) in attention-based tasks (Experiments 1-2). This contrasted with the effects of irrelevant speech (60 dB(A)), which was included in the experiments as a well-explored and common noise source in office settings. A disturbance impact of background speech was only given in the two tasks that called for storage functions (Experiments 2-3). In addition to the performance data, subjective annoyance ratings were collected. Consistent with the level effect of road traffic noise found in the performance data, a moderate road traffic noise at 50 dB(A) was perceived as significantly less annoying than a loud road traffic noise at 70 dB(A), which was found, however, independently of the task at hand. Furthermore, the background sound condition with the highest detrimental performance effect in a task was also rated as most annoying in this task, i.e., traffic noise at 70 dB(A) in the Stroop task, and background speech in the mental arithmetic and serial recall tasks.

Effects of Road Traffic Noise on Health: From Burden of Disease to Effectiveness of Interventions

Road traffic noise is one of the most ubiquitous urban environmental pollutants. This paper brings together three related works – in which the author has been involved or is currently completing - that together illustrate essential input to good policy development for the management of the health consequences of this pollutant. These include a guidance document on burden of disease from environmental noise; an assessment of exposure, response, and exposure-response, to road traffic noise in a densely-populated Asian city; and a current systematic evidence review of the effectiveness, in health terms, of interventions to control environmental noise. These provide examples of the nature of the quantitative evidence available to promote noise management through policy interventions.

Combined effects of road traffic noise and ambient air pollution in relation to risk for stroke?

Exposure to road traffic noise and air pollution have both been associated with risk for stroke. The few studies including both exposures show inconsistent results. We aimed to investigate potential mutual confounding and combined effects between road traffic noise and air pollution in association with risk for stroke. In a population-based cohort of 57,053 people aged 50–64 years at enrollment, we identified 1999 incident stroke cases in national registries, followed by validation through medical records. Mean follow-up time was 11.2 years. Present and historical residential addresses from 1987 to 2009 were identified in national registers and road traffic noise and air pollution were modeled for all addresses. Analyses were done using Cox regression. A higher mean annual exposure at time of diagnosis of 10µg/m3 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 10dB road traffic noise at the residential address was associated with ischemic stroke with incidence rate ratios (IRR) of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.20) and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.24), respectively, in single exposure models. In two-exposure models road traffic noise (IRR: 1.15) and not NO2 (IRR: 1.02) was associated with ischemic stroke. The strongest association was found for combination of high noise and high NO2 (IRR=1.28; 95% CI=1.09–1.52). Fatal stroke was positively associated with air pollution and not with traffic noise. In conclusion, in mutually adjusted models road traffic noise and not air pollution was associated ischemic stroke, while only air pollution affected risk for fatal strokes. There were indications of combined effects.

Road traffic noise, sleep and mental health

This study examines the relationship between road traffic noise, self-reported sleep quality and mental health. The study is cross-sectional and based on data from a survey conducted in Oslo, Norway, in 2000. Psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Checklist, HSCL-25) was measured along with self-reported somatic health, sleep quality, noise sensitivity and socioeconomic variables. Questionnaire data were combined with modeled estimates of noise exposure. The total study sample consisted of 2898 respondents. After adjustment for potential confounders and stratifying for sleep quality, we found a positive, but not statistically significant association between noise exposure and symptoms of psychological distress among participants with poor sleep quality (slope=0.06, 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.13, per 10dB increase in noise exposure). In the same sleep quality group, we found a borderline statistically significant association between noise exposure and a symptom level indicating a probable mental disorder (HSCL≥1.55) (odds ratio=1.47, 95% CI: 0.99–1.98, per 10dB increase in noise exposure). We found no association between road traffic noise and mental health among subjects reporting good and medium sleep quality. The results suggest that road traffic noise may be associated with poorer mental health among subjects with poor sleep. Individuals with poor sleep quality may be more vulnerable to effects of road traffic noise on mental health than individuals with better sleep quality.

The effects of road traffic noise on mental performance

BackgroundNoise is one of the more widespread pollutions of road transportation system, which can cause deterioration in performance. This experimental study was designed to assess the effect of road traffic noise on performance with regard to extra/introversion and sex of participants. The personality trait of extra/introversion has been remarked as relevant factor to mental performance.ResultsThirty six (26 males and 10 females) medical sciences students of Tehran University participated in the study. The students were placed in an unechoing room and performed the Cognitrone test from Vienna Test System in quiet condition and under road traffic noise (71 dBA). The results of this study pointed out that noise increased the percentage of sum of correct answers but had no effect on the speed of performance. Furthermore this study showed that performance was enhanced in extroverts (P=0.001) but no significant difference was found in introverts (P ≤0.05).ConclusionsThe regression analysis revealed that extra/introversion was more important than sex to predict the performance parameters.

Road traffic noise, air pollution components and cardiovascular events

Traffic noise and air pollution have been associated with cardiovascular health effects. Until date, only a limited amount of prospective epidemiological studies is available on long-term effects of road traffic noise and combustion related air pollution. This study investigates the relationship between road traffic noise and air pollution and hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease (IHD: International Classification of Diseases (ICD9) 410-414) or cerebrovascular disease (cerebrovascular event [CVE]: ICD9 430-438). We linked baseline questionnaire data to 13 years of follow-up on hospital admissions and road traffic noise and air pollution exposure, for a large random sample (N = 18,213) of inhabitants of the Eindhoven region, Netherlands. Subjects with cardiovascular event during follow-up on average had higher road traffic noise day, evening, night level (L den) and air pollution exposure at the home. After adjustment for confounders (age, sex, body mass index, smoking, education, exercise, marital status, alcohol use, work situation, financial difficulties), increased exposure did not exert a significant increased risk of hospital admission for IHD or cerebrovascular disease. Relative risks (RRs) for a 5 (th) to 95 (th) percentile interval increase were 1.03 (0.88-1.20) for L den; 1.04 (0.90-1.21) for particulate matter (PM 10 ); 1.05 (0.91-1.20) for elemental carbon (EC); and 1.12 (096-1.32) for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in the full model. While the risk estimate seemed highest for NO 2 , for a 5 (th) to 95 (th) percentile interval increase, expressed as RRs per 1 μg/m 3 increases, hazard ratios seemed highest for EC (RR 1.04 [0.92-1.18]). In the subgroup of study participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, RR estimates seemed highest for noise exposure (1.19 [0.87-1.64] for L den); in the subgroup of elderly RR seemed highest for air pollution exposure (RR 1.24 [0.93-1.66] for NO 2 ).