Neighbourhood Noise Research Articles

Impact Analysis of Noise Pollution on Human-Health: A Case Study of Southern Region of Nigeria

Noise pollution, though not a new problem, has increased in recent times in reflection of human activities. Noise is an unpleasant sound capable of causing psychological and physiological problems for human health and society. This study aimed to assess the impact of noise pollution on the health of residents in the capital cities of Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Yenagoa. Data was obtained through a structured questionnaire designed to get firsthand information from respondents on variables such as socioeconomic characteristics, noise effect, neighbourhood noise awareness and sources. Across all the cities, multiple choices of noise were picked by the respondents, mostly vehicular traffic and generating plants. Mental stress (16.6%) was reported as the common effect of noise pollution, followed by distraction and lack of concentration to work (13.4%), while the least effect was a risk of accident (2.1%), followed by speech interference (1.8%). Thus, it is recommended that cities with high noise generation activities should adopt noise pollution regulation policies and also have potential mitigation measures in place, which should include noise-absorbing structures.

The impact of covid-19 restrictions on complaints of noise made to a local authority in Northern Ireland - a case study.

The covid pandemic with national lockdowns and restrictions profoundly affected people's lives in many ways including the experience of neighbourhood noise. While initial research indicated a rise in noise complaints at the start of restrictions in London during Spring 2020 (Tong, 2021), a case study involving a single local authority in Northern Ireland indicates a different experience when the full 2020 year was analysed. Total number of complaints did not see a statistically significant increase when compared to the 5-year average. While there were increases in some categories of noise of interest (loud music and parties, noise associated with anti-social behaviour), the comparison with the 5-year average did not show a statistically significant difference. The only category of noise that seen an increase of significance was noise complaints relating to retail. This may be explained by increased demand in essential food retail as well as social distancing requirements, limitations to customers inside premises and changes made as the retail sector adapted. A wider study involving local authorities across Northern Ireland, the UK and across countries that experienced lockdown measures may reveal a more accurate picture of the impact of neighbourhood noise experienced during the covid pandemic.

Increases in noise complaints during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spring 2020: A case study in Greater London, UK

Many cities around the world have claimed that the enforcement of lockdown measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the corresponding limitations of human activities led to reduced environmental noise levels. However, noise complaints reported by many local authorities were on the rise soon after the local lockdowns came into force. This research took Greater London in the UK as a case study. The overall aim was examining how noise complaints changed during the first stages of the lockdown implementation, during Spring 2020, both locally and at city scale, and how urban factors may have been influencing them. Noise complaint and urban factor datasets from the Government's publicly available data warehouse were used. The results show that during the COVID-19 lockdown the number of noise complaints increased by 48%, compared with the same period during Spring 2019. In terms of noise sources, complaints about construction (36%) and neighbourhood (50%) noise showed significant increases. Urban factors, including housing and demographic factors, played a more significant role than the actual noise exposure to road and rail traffic noise, as derived from the London noise maps. In detail, the change rate of noise complaints was higher in areas with higher unemployment rates, more residents with no qualifications, and lower house price. It is expected that this study could help government with allocating resources more effectively and achieve a better urban environment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and psychological distress in China: Does neighbourhood matter?

Using individual data (n = 937) obtained from an online questionnaire between 20th January and 13th February, the early stage of the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020, we explore the direct association between people's perceptions of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and psychological distress. We further examine the moderating role of neighbourhood environment and this distress. We find that people living in infected communities tend to perceive higher level of psychological distress compared to people living in uninfected communities. People's expected duration of COVID-19 is associated with higher psychological distress and this is partially moderated by the perception of neighbourhood noise level and overall environment quality. Additional results quantify the evidence that a quiet and well maintained neighbourhood environment could reduce the negative influences of expectation of a long duration of COVID-19 on people's psychological distress.

Neighbourhood Spatial Pattern and Noise Disturbance in Benin City, Nigeria

Noise has an environmental challenge is increasing due to urbanization, industrialization and modernization. While residential noise pollution could have adverse effect on health and social wellbeing, little attention has been directed towards investigating the implications of spatial pattern of neighbourhood facilities on noise pollution in Nigeria. This study assessed how noise disturbance is related to spatial pattern within two neighbourhoods in Benin City, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from residents on demographics and neighbourhood characteristics while residential land-mix was observed through street mapping. Sixty-six participants were randomly selected from Government Reserved Area (GRA) and Ogbe quarters of Benin City. Result showed that the neighbourhood facilities which host commercial, transportation and industrial activities were the closest to the dwelling units while natural vegetation was the farthest. Also there was spatial variation in distribution of neighbourhood features especially the commercial and recreational areas which affects the noise exposure level. The study concludes that it is necessary to mitigate noise within residential neighbourhoods through proper land use and zoning strategies.

Acoustic comfort in the living environment and its association with noise representation: A systematic review

Noise is commonly known to have adverse health effects on residents in urban living environment. In the past, great focus has been placed on the impact of external traffic noise on residents’ health and the development of urban noise mapping. On the other hand, neighbourhood noise − a combination of noise generated from outside residences and noise generated from within residences − are also considered to be as detrimental as external traffic noise and are yet to be widely investigated. This paper focuses on the systematic review of studies assessing neighbourhood noise with the intention of determining the presence of architectural variables and methods of noise representation for micro-scale areas. 153 articles are retrieved from specific research databases and out of which 12 were considered to be relevant to the study. The results indicate that architectural variables present in the studies were mostly related to the analysis of external traffic noise and that representation of noise in analyses were rarely devised which highlights the need for further investigation in this area.

Annoyance to different noise sources is associated with atrial fibrillation in the Gutenberg Health Study

BackgroundAnnoyance is a common reaction in populations exposed to environmental noise and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated for the first time the existence of an association between noise annoyance and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and resultsCross-sectional data from 14,639 participants of the Gutenberg Health Study were collected between 2007 and 2012. Annoyance from road traffic, aircraft, railways, industrial/construction and neighbourhood noise during daytime and sleep were collected from all participants through questionnaires using a 5-point scale. AF was assessed via self-reported medical history and/or documentation of AF on the study electrocardiogram. 80% of the study participants were annoyed by noise to a certain degree. The major sources of annoyance during daytime and sleep were aircraft, road traffic and neighbourhood noise. We found significant associations between annoyance (per point increase) and AF for aircraft noise annoyance during daytime (odds ratio (OR) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.08) and during sleep (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.05–1.13), road traffic noise annoyance during sleep (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.08–1.22), neighbourhood noise annoyance during daytime (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.09–1.20) and during sleep (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.07–1.21), industrial noise annoyance during daytime (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04–1.18) and railway noise annoyance during sleep (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.04–1.22). Different degrees of annoyance were not associated with changes in cardiovascular risk factors. DiscussionThe results suggest for the first time that noise annoyance is associated with AF. Further studies are warranted to gain insight in the mechanisms underlying the noise-annoyance-disease relationship.

Perceived access to recreational/green areas as an effect modifier of the relationship between health and neighbourhood noise/air quality: Results from the 3rd European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS, 2011–2012)

The present study tests the hypothesis that better access to recreational/green areas modifies the adverse effects of neighbourhood noise and air quality on health. We re-analysed the cross-national representative sample of the 3rd European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) (2011–2012). Data were available on self-rated health, neighbourhood noise, air quality, access to recreational/green areas, and other sociodemographic and neighbourhood covariates. The substantive analyses were based on weighted logistic regression with clustered standard errors. Overall, reporting major neighbourhood problems with noise and air quality was associated with higher risk for poor self-rated health, and this risk was higher among participants not using recreational/green areas in their neighbourhood or reporting a difficult access to those areas. There was a statistically significant effect modification across some exposure − access scenarios, but it was clearer for air quality than it was for noise. Thus, this exploratory study sets the basis for future research on the subject matter.

COMMUNITY NOISE IN GREATER CAIRO

Noise is unwanted sound. Community (environmental) noise is defined as noise emitted from all sources except noise at the work place. Sources include road traffic; rail and air traffic; industry; construction; public works and neighbourhood noise. LAeq,T is the energy average equivalent level of the A-weighted sound over period T. Hazardous effects of community noise have been known for ages, however, noise problems of the past are not to be compared with those of modern society. Studies in the European Union have indicated that noise is one of the major sources of coronary heart disease. In Egypt, as in other developing countries, community noise is a serious problem. Health effects of community noise include hearing impairment; effects on speech intelligibility; sleep disturbances; effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and other physiological functions; effects on performance and on mental health; behavioural effects and annoyance. Control of noise in Egypt is regulated by environmental law 4/1994 and its executive regulations. A study of community noise in the three Governorates of Greater Cairo indicated that the sound pressure levels in most of the studied areas were above the Egyptian standards. In and around schools, sound pressure levels exceeded the Egyptian standards. On Cairo streets community noise was found to be related to the width of the street, number of lanes and traffic density as well as the behaviour of drivers. Standard sound pressure levels for special environments were also referred to. Sources of community noise in the Egyptian environment were discussed. Control of community noise included measures related to the means of transportation, urban planning, architectural design of buildings, social activities and government actions.

Specific and combined subjective responses to noise and their association with cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction:Noise is one of the most extensive environmental factors affecting the general population. The present study is focused on the association between discomfort caused by noise and the incidence of certain diseases (ischaemic heart disease, stroke and hypertension).Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional questionnaire study, conducted in 10 cities in the Czech Republic, comprises two stages with 3592 obtained questionnaires in the first phase and 762 in the second phase. Twelve variables describe subjective responses to noise from different sources at different times of day. The intensity of the associations between variables was measured by correlation coefficient. Logistic regression was used for fitting models of morbidity, and confounders such as age and socio-economic status were included. The hypotheses from the first phase were independently validated using data from the second phase.Results:The general rates of noise annoyance/sleep disturbance had greater correlation with traffic noise variables than with neighbourhood noise variables. Factors significantly associated with diseases are: for hypertension − annoyance by traffic noise (the elderly, odds ratio (OR) 1.4) and sleep disturbance by traffic and neighbourhood noise (the elderly, OR 1.6); for ischaemic heart disease − the general rate of noise annoyance (all respondents, OR 1.5 and the adults 30–60 years, OR 1.8) and the general rate of annoyance and sleep disturbance (all respondents, OR 1.3); for stroke − annoyance and sleep disturbance by traffic and neighbourhood noise (all respondents, OR 1.8).Conclusion:Factors that include multiple sources of noise or non-specific noise are associated with the studied diseases more frequently than the source-specific factors.

Soziale Ungleichheit von Lärmbelästigung und Straßenverkehrsbelastung

To study the associations of annoyance to noise and exposure to residential traffic with sociodemographic, socioeconomic and regional characteristics as well as housing conditions, a population-based sample of 7,988 adults 18–79 years of age was studied in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1). Annoyance to noise and exposure to residential traffic were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. A total of 6.3 % of the participants reported a high to very high exposure to residential traffic noise, 3.7 % to neighbourhood noise and 2.1 % to aircraft noise. An excessive exposure to residential traffic was reported by 21.3 % of the participants. A high annoyance to traffic and neighborhood noise was associated with a lower equivalised disposable income and poor housing conditions. Additionally annoyance to neighborhood noise was associated with low socioeconomic and occupational status. A high annoyance to aircraft noise was only associated with a low equivalised disposable income and living in apartment blocks. Exposure to residential traffic was associated with all investigated indicators. At present in Germany environmental exposures are social unequally distributed and may lead to negative health consequences in social disadvantaged groups. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

Influence of environmental perception of the neighbourhood on place attachment: The impact of the physical care of the neighbourhood

The present study examines the influence of perception of neighbourhood crowding, noise, danger, and physical care on neighbourhood attachment. To this end, a total of496 Spanish students from Barcelona and La Laguna participate in this study. In order to control for the variable time of residence, only natives of the neighbourhood were selected as participants, completing an anonymous self-reporting questionnaire. A Path Analysis was applied using perception of environmental factors of the neighbourhood as predictive variables and neighbourhood attachment as criteria variable. The results show that the perceptions of physical care and of danger in the neighbourhood are the variables that directly influence attachment. The implications of the results are discussed in terms of intervention for enhancing care behaviours in the neighbourhood.

Updating the WHO guidelines on community noise

Adverse health effects of community noise are a growing concern in many countries. To provide evidence-based policy guidance to the member states, the World Health Organization published Guidelines for Community Noise (1999), Night Noise Guidelines for Europe (2009), and Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise (2011). The Parma Declaration on Environment and Health (2010) urged WHO to develop guidelines on noise suitable to reduce children's exposure to noise, including that from personal electronic devices, recreation and traffic, especially in residential areas, at child care centres, kindergartens, schools and public recreational settings. Accordingly, the Noise Guideline Development Group (NGDG) was convened for renewing the WHO guidelines on community noise. The new guidelines, to be finalized by 2013, will reflect newly available evidence on adverse health effects of community noise from various sources. Newly emerged issues such as windmill noise and neighbourhood noise will be addressed. The whole process from formulation of the topics and choice of the relevant outcomes, evidence retrieval, assessment and synthesis through systematic review, to formulation of the recommendations will follow the standard WHO guidelines for guidelines development to eliminate any potential conflict of interests by ensuring the highest level of transparency and accountability.

Effects of low intensity noise from aircraft or from neighbourhood on cognitive learning and electrophysiological stress responses

The effects of low intensity noise on cognitive learning and autonomous physiological processes are of high practical relevance but are rarely addressed in empirical investigations. This study investigated the impact of neighbourhood noise (of 45 dB[A], n=20) and of noise coming from passing aircraft (of 48 dB[A] peak amplitude presented once per minute; n=19) during computer based learning of different texts (with three types of text structure, i.e. linear text, hierarchic hypertext, and network hypertext) in relation to a control group (35 dB[A], n=20). Using a between subjects design, reproduction scores, heart rate, and spontaneous skin conductance fluctuations were compared. Results showed impairments of reproduction in both noise conditions. Additionally, whereas in the control group and the neighbourhood noise group scores were better for network hypertext structure than for hierarchic hypertext, no effect of text structure on reproduction appeared in the aircraft noise group. Compared to the control group, for most of the learning period the number of spontaneous skin conductance fluctuations was higher for the aircraft noise group. For the neighbourhood noise group, fluctuations were higher during pre- and post task periods when noise stimulation was still present. Additionally, during the last 5 min of the 15 min learning period, an increased heart rate was found in the aircraft noise group. Data indicate remarkable cognitive and physiological effects of low intensity background noise. Some aspects of reproduction were impaired in the two noise groups. Cognitive learning, as indicated by reproduction scores, was changed structurally in the aircraft noise group and was accompanied by higher sympathetic activity. An additional cardiovascular load appeared for aircraft noise when combined with time pressure as indicated by heart rate for the announced last 5 min of the learning period during aircraft noise with a peak SPL of even 48 dB(A). Attentional mechanisms (attentional control) like being threatened by passing aircraft approaching the airport, higher demands of selective filtering, and difficulties in changing cognitive strategies during noise are discussed as underlying mechanisms.

Distances to on‐ and off‐premise alcohol outlets and experiences of alcohol‐related amenity problems

There are a number of studies in recent years that have examined the relationship of alcohol outlets to the incidence of alcohol-related problems. Only a small number of these studies examine the types of alcohol-related problems which may be considered amenity problems, such as neighbourhood disturbance, litter and noise. This paper examines the association between the proximity of someone's home to alcohol outlets and their experience of public amenity problems. Data came from an Australian general population survey: the Alcohol's Harm to Others Survey (2008). Two thousand six hundred and forty-nine Australians aged 18 years and over were asked about their experiences of a number of amenity-type problems and the distance they lived to the nearest on- and off-premise alcohol outlet. Bivariate results showed that respondents living closer to on- and off-premise outlets reported more problems, with minor differences by distance to on- and off-premise outlet. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, controlling for possible confounding effects of the respondent and neighbourhood characteristics, living closer to on-premise outlets was independently associated with reporting being kept awake or disturbed at night and living closer to an off-premise outlet was independently associated with reporting property damage. A possible interpretation of the results is that respondents living close to on- and off-premise outlets experience more amenity problems than those living further away, but that these experiences are concentrated among demographic groups who live in these areas. Direction of influence cannot be inferred from these cross-sectional findings.

Environmental noise exposure, early biological risk and mental health in nine to ten year old children: a cross-sectional field study

BackgroundPrevious research suggests that children born prematurely or with a low birth weight are more vulnerable to the mental health effects of ambient neighbourhood noise; predominantly road and rail noise, at home. This study used data from the Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise Exposure and Children's Cognition and Health (RANCH) study to see if this finding extends to aircraft and road traffic noise at school.MethodsChildren and their parents from schools around three European airports were selected to represent a range of aircraft and road traffic noise exposure levels. Birth weight and gestation period were merged to create a dichotomous variable assessing 'early biological risk'. Mental health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Complete data were available for 1900 primary school children.ResultsChildren who were 'at risk' (i.e. low birth weight or premature birth) were rated as having more conduct problems and emotional symptoms and poorer overall mental health than children not at risk. However, there was no interaction between aircraft or road traffic noise exposure at school and early biological risk.ConclusionsData from the RANCH study suggests that children with early biological risk are not more vulnerable to the effects of aircraft or road traffic noise at school on mental health than children without this risk; however they are more likely to have mental ill-health.

On the Relationships Between Environmental Noise and Socio-Economic Factors in Greater London

Summary While the e ects of various socio-economic factors on sound evaluation have been investigated in numerous previous studies, the aim of this study is to study the relationships between environmental noise levels and socioeconomic factors, using Greater London as a case study city. The environmental noise levels are obtained from calculated noise maps, through a series of data processing, and 78 socio-economic factors from various GIS databases are considered at micro- and macro-scales, namely at neighbourhood and borough levels. It is shown that the noise levels of neighbourhoods and boroughs in London have close relationships with a number of socioeconomic factors. At the neighbourhood level, generally speaking, an area with a higher noise level tends to be among the more deprived in England, especially in terms of health, barriers to housing and services, and living environment. There are more people with bad health status, and less people looking after home or family. It is interesting to note that the neighbourhood noise levels are not significantly correlated with the percentages of various religious communities, total number of benefits claimants, and with resident population and male/female resident ratio. As expected, non-domestic building and roads are more likely to be found in noisier neighbourhoods. More students live in noisier neighbourhoods, whereas residents who work part-time may tend to live in quieter areas. At the borough level, with a higher noise level, more adults aged 20‐44, and less children and teenagers might tend to live there, and the income level is generally higher. Environmental noise levels have positive relationships with the population density and total population change, and negative correlations with the total fertility rate and death rate. The correlations between noise levels and academic attainments of school children are not significant. While the noise levels might be related to the labour market to a certain extent, for the employment and unemployment rates, no significant correlation has been shown with the borough noise levels.

Does noise have a stationary impact on residential values?

PurposeEnvironmental noise has become a major issue in densely urbanized areas. The impact of this externality on the quality of life is reflected by a decrease in the residents' well‐being, and subsequently a decrease in property values. A considerable number of studies have used hedonic pricing (HP) to assess the impact of noise on property markets, but few of them have considered the existence of submarkets. Theoretically, it could be expected that the marginal value of 1 dB varies according to the neighbourhood's noise exposure, the property characteristics (e.g. insulation level) and the annoyance experienced by residents. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether noise has a stationary impact on property prices.Design/methodology/approachGeographically weighted regression is used, which resolves spatial dependencies (i.e. spatial autocorrelation) and considers “soft borders” between submarkets to study the impact of noise on the value of a sample of multifamily dwellings in Barcelona.FindingsThe analysis suggests that the noise level does matter, although the noise depreciation sensitivity index (NDSI) found (0.08 per cent) is in the bottom decile of the HP studies reviewed by Navrud. However, the NDSI is not stationary throughout the city, suggesting that 1 dB has a different impact in different areas.Originality/valueNoise impact seems to depend not only on the noise intensity to which dwellings are exposed but also on the nature of the noise source. This may suggest the presence of other externalities that arouse social aversion.

Present Situation and Regulations on Neighbourhood Noise Problems

Present Situation and Regulations on Neighbourhood Noise Problems

Measurement of Neighbourhood Noise

Measurement of Neighbourhood Noise