Residential Road Traffic Noise Research Articles

Contributions of residential traffic noise to depression and mental wellbeing in Hong Kong: A prospective cohort study

Prior studies on the association between traffic noise and mental health have been mostly conducted in settings with lower population densities. However, evidence is lacking in high population-density settings where traffic noise is more pervasive and varies by topography and the vertical elevation of the residential unit. This study aimed to assess the mental health impact of residential traffic noise in one of the world's most urbanised populations. Data were analysed from 13,401 participants aged ≥15 years in a prospective cohort in Hong Kong from 2009 to 2014. Residential traffic noise level was estimated using 3D-geocoding and validated models that accounted for sound propagation in a highly vertical landscape. The 24-h day-night exposure to traffic noise, denoted as Ldn, was estimated with a 10-dB(A) penalty for night hours. Probable depression and mental wellbeing were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Short Form Health Questionnaire SF-12v2, respectively. Mixed effect regressions with random intercepts were used to examine the association between traffic noise and mental health outcomes. Residential road traffic noise (for each increment of 10 A-weighted decibels [dB(A)] 24-h average exposure) was associated with probable depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.31), and poorer mental wellbeing (mean difference = −0.19, 95% CI: 0.31, −0.06), adjusting for sociodemographics, smoking, body mass index, self-reported health, proximity to green space, and neighbourhood characteristics (average household income, population density, and Gini coefficient). The results were robust to further adjustment for air pollution. In stratified analyses, residential traffic noise was associated with probable depression and poorer mental wellbeing among students and individuals aged 15–34 years. Residential traffic noise was associated with probable depression and poorer mental wellbeing in a highly urbanised setting. As traffic noise is increasing in urban settings, the public health impact of noise pollution could be substantial.

Exposure to long-term source-specific transportation noise and incident breast cancer: A pooled study of eight Nordic cohorts

BackgroundEnvironmental noise is an important environmental exposure that can affect health. An association between transportation noise and breast cancer incidence has been suggested, although current evidence is limited. We investigated the pooled association between long-term exposure to transportation noise and breast cancer incidence. MethodsPooled data from eight Nordic cohorts provided a study population of 111,492 women. Road, railway, and aircraft noise were modelled at residential addresses. Breast cancer incidence (all, estrogen receptor (ER) positive, and ER negative) was derived from cancer registries. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox Proportional Hazards Models, adjusting main models for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables together with long-term exposure to air pollution. ResultsA total of 93,859 women were included in the analyses, of whom 5,875 developed breast cancer. The median (5th–95th percentile) 5-year residential road traffic noise was 54.8 (40.0–67.8) dB Lden, and among those exposed, the median railway noise was 51.0 (41.2–65.8) dB Lden. We observed a pooled HR for breast cancer (95 % confidence interval (CI)) of 1.03 (0.99–1.06) per 10 dB increase in 5-year mean exposure to road traffic noise, and 1.03 (95 % CI: 0.96–1.11) for railway noise, after adjustment for lifestyle and sociodemographic covariates. HRs remained unchanged in analyses with further adjustment for PM2.5 and attenuated when adjusted for NO2 (HRs from 1.02 to 1.01), in analyses using the same sample. For aircraft noise, no association was observed. The associations did not vary by ER status for any noise source. In analyses using <60 dB as a cutoff, we found HRs of 1.08 (0.99–1.18) for road traffic and 1.19 (0.95–1.49) for railway noise. ConclusionsWe found weak associations between road and railway noise and breast cancer risk. More high-quality prospective studies are needed, particularly among those exposed to railway and aircraft noise before conclusions regarding noise as a risk factor for breast cancer can be made.

Air pollution and stroke; effect modification by sociodemographic and environmental factors. A cohort study from Denmark.

Air pollution increases the risk of stroke, but the literature on identifying susceptible subgroups of populations is scarce and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate if the association between air pollution and risk of stroke differed by sociodemographic factors, financial stress, comorbid conditions, and residential road traffic noise, population density and green space. We assessed long-term exposure to air pollution with ultrafine particles, PM2.5, elemental carbon and NO2 for a cohort of 1,971,246 Danes aged 50-85 years. During follow-up from 2005 to 2017, we identified 83,211 incident stroke cases. We used Cox proportional hazards model (relative risk) and Aalen additive hazards models (absolute risk) to estimate associations and confidence intervals (CI) between 5-year running means of air pollution at the residence and risk of stroke in population strata. All four pollutants were associated with higher risk of stroke. The association between air pollution and stroke was strongest among individuals with comorbidities, with shorter education, lower income and being retired. The results also indicated stronger associations among individuals living in less populated areas, and with low noise levels and more green space around the residence. Estimates of absolute risk seemed better suited to detect such interactions than estimates of relative risk. For example for PM2.5 the hazard ratio for stroke was 1.28 (95%CI: 1.22-1.34) and 1.26 (95%CI: 1.16-1.37) among those with mandatory and medium/long education respectively. The corresponding rate difference estimates per 100,000 person years were 568 (95%CI: 543-594) and 423(95%CI: 390-456) CONCLUSION: The associations between air pollution and risk of stroke was stronger among individuals of lower socioeconomic status or with pre-existing comorbid conditions. Absolute risk estimates were better suited to identify such effect modification.

Modification of green space on the associations between long-term road traffic noise exposure and incident intracerebral hemorrhage: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a subtype of stroke that would cause high mortality and disability. Environmental factors may play an important role in the incident risk of ICH. Evidence on how long-term road traffic noise exposure affects incident ICH is still scarce, and whether green space has a modification effect is unknown. We conducted a prospective analysis based on UK Biobank to assess the longitudinal association between road traffic noise exposure and incident ICH, and the potential modification of green space. MethodsAlgorithms based on medical records and linkage were utilized to identify ICH incident cases in the UK Biobank. The Common Noise Assessment Methods in Europe noise model was used to calculate the road traffic noise exposure at the residential level. The relationship between weighted average 24-h road traffic noise level (Lden) and incident ICH was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models, and the modification effect of green space was examined using stratified analysis with interaction terms. ResultsOver a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 1 459 incident ICH cases were ascertained in the 402 268 baseline individuals. After adjustment for potential confounders, Lden was significantly related to an elevated risk of incident ICH with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.14 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.28) for a 10 dB [A] increment. The detrimental influence of Lden on ICH remained stable after adjustment for air pollution. Furthermore, green space modified the association between Lden exposure and incident ICH (Pinteraction = 0.035), and no association was found for higher green space. ConclusionsLong-term residential road traffic noise exposure was associated with an increased risk of ICH, but only for those who live in areas with less green space, indicating that green space may alleviate the negative impacts of road traffic noise exposure on ICH.

Residential road traffic noise and pregnancy complications – The NordSOUND study

BACKGROUND AND AIM Only few studies have evaluated the effects of exposure to environmental noise on pregnancy. The NordSOUND project utilizes high-quality register data in four Nordic countries to comprehensively study the health effects of environmental and occupational noise. The present study evaluates associations between maternal exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy and pregnancy complications. METHODS The study included metropolitan areas of Copenhagen, Denmark, Helsinki, Finland, and Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden. Data from Oslo, Norway, will soon become available, too. Gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and severe and mild pre-eclampsia were used as outcomes. Data sources were national population and patient registers. Residential yearly levels of transport-related noise and air pollution were modelled. Logistic regression analyses, followed by meta-analyses, were adjusted for age, parity, smoking, education, marital status, neighborhood income, traffic-related air pollution, green and blue areas, and other transport noise sources. RESULTS The total number of pregnancies in the final analyses was 417 000. No associations were observed between road traffic noise and gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. However, exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes: odds ratio (95 % confidence intervals) in a random effect model was 1.09 (1.03; 1.15) per 10 dB increase in exposure. The analyses will be repeated adding data from Norway. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that maternal exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes. KEYWORDS Noise, road traffic, pregnancy complications, maternal exposure

Exposure to road traffic noise and behavioral problems in Chinese schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study.

Transportation noise is second only to air pollution as an environmental contributor to adverse health outcomes in Western countries. However, no studies investigated the association between road traffic noise and behavioral problems among schoolchildren in China. To investigate the association between exposure to road traffic noise at home and behavioral problems in Chinese schoolchildren. From January to June 2017, we screened 3236 children aged 7-13 years in Guangzhou (Guangdong, China) from the first investigation of an ongoing school-based cohort study with complete information on behavioral problems and residential geolocation. Residential road traffic noise exposure levels were assessed using a validated modeling method in different periods of the day, including daytime (Lday), nighttime (Lnight), and weighted 24-hr (Ldn). The annual mean concentration of nitrogen dioxide was also modeled in our study. Behavioral problems were assessed by the parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Generalized linear mixed models were utilized to estimate the associations between road traffic noise and behavioral problems. In the main adjusted model, a 10-dB increase in Ldn was associated with 0.33 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.59), 0.08 (95% CI: -0.01, 0.17), and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.16) increases in three subscales score for total difficulties score, emotional problems, and conduct problems, respectively. The same increase in Ldn was also associated with the abnormal total difficulties score (OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.55), emotional problems (OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.44), and conduct problems (OR = 1.28, 95%CI:1.02, 1.63). Externalising behavior appears more susceptible to traffic noise than internalising behavior. NO2 had a small impact on the associations between Ldn and behavioral problems. Our estimates were generally robust in several sensitivity analyses. Residential road traffic noise exposure might be related to increased behavioral problems in Chinese schoolchildren, such as emotional symptoms and conduct problems.

Residential road traffic and railway noise and risk of childhood cancer: A nationwide register-based case-control study in Denmark

BackgroundThe aetiology of most childhood cancers remains poorly understood. We conducted a nationwide register-based case-control study to assess the association between residential road traffic and railway noise exposure and risk of childhood cancers. MethodsWe identified all cases of first cancers diagnosed in children aged 0–19 years in 1985–2013 from the Danish Cancer Registry (N = 3962) and sampled four individually matched (by sex and date of birth) controls per case (N = 14,790) using the Central Population Register. We estimated time-weighted exposure averages of residential road traffic and railway noise at the most (Lden max) and least (Lden min) exposed façades from birth to index-date (for additional analysis: in utero period) based on the individual address history for the respective time windows. We fitted conditional logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsORs varied by noise estimate and cancer type, with generally wide CIs mostly including 1.00. We found a tendency of higher ORs with increasing railway and road traffic noise for Hodgkin lymphoma (ORs for railway and road Lden min were 1.63 (95% CI 1.00; 2.66) and 1.14 (95% CI 0.87; 1.48) per 10 dB), as well as a tendency of higher ORs with increasing railway noise for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For embryonal CNS tumours and astrocytoma and other glioma we observed also some weak suggestions of a positive association. Analysing exposure to traffic noise in utero revealed similar patterns to those of the main analyses. ConclusionsThis nationwide study with minimal risk of bias suggests no strong associations between traffic noise and risk of most childhood cancers. We found however some suggestive evidence for a positive association with Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and some CNS tumours. Further research is warranted to confirm these associations in other populations and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Invited Perspective: Diabetes and Road Traffic Noise at the Most and Least Exposed Façade.

Invited Perspective: Diabetes and Road Traffic Noise at the Most and Least Exposed Façade.

Annoyance due to residential road traffic and aircraft noise: Empirical evidence from two European cities

Based on a study in two European cities, Mainz in Germany and Zurich in Switzerland, the article investigates both acoustical and non-acoustical factors affecting indoor annoyance due to residential road traffic and aircraft noise. We specifically focus on three factors: (1) the role of windows as a feature of the building where people live; (2) the role of individual environmental concern as a general attitude; and (3) the role of household income as an indicator of socioeconomic resources. Empirical results show that closed windows in general and closed high-quality windows in particular are an important barrier against outdoor road traffic and aircraft noise, as well as a helpful subjective coping tool against corresponding annoyances. Environmental concern, too, proves to be a significant predictor of noise annoyance. Environmentally highly concerned people articulate feelings of annoyance more often than environmentally less concerned ones. As expected income is negatively related to road traffic noise annoyance. However, we find a positive association of income with annoyance from aircraft noise. Although objective exposure to aircraft noise is lower for high-income households, they feel stronger annoyed by noise from airplanes. Income shows various indirect effects on noise annoyance. A comparative analysis of road traffic and aircraft noise annoyance yields similarities, but also remarkable differences in terms of their influence factors.

Road traffic noise and cardiovascular disease risk factors in UK Biobank.

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional associations of modelled residential road traffic noise with cardiovascular disease risk factors [systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), C-reactive protein, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin, and self-reported hypertension] in UK Biobank.Methods and resultsThe UK Biobank recruited 502 651 individuals aged 40–69 years across the UK during 2006–10. Road traffic noise (Lden and Lnight) exposure for 2009 was estimated at baseline address using a simplified version of the Common Noise Assessment Methods model. We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol intake, area- and individual-level deprivation, season of blood draw, length of time at residence, and nitrogen dioxide (main model), in an analytical sample size of over 370 000 participants. Exposure to road-traffic Lden >65 dB[A], as compared to ≤55 dB[A], was associated with 0.77% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60%, 0.95%], 0.49% (95% CI 0.32%, 0.65%), 0.79% (95% CI 0.11%, 1.47%), and 0.12% (95% CI −0.04%, 0.28%) higher SBP, DBP, triglycerides, and glycated haemoglobin, respectively. Removing BMI from the main model yielded significant positive associations with all five markers with elevated percent changes. The associations with SBP or DBP did not appear to be impacted by hypertension medication while a positive association with prevalent self-reported hypertension was seen in the non-medicated group who exposed to a Lden level of 60–65 dB[A] (odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI 1.00, 1.15).ConclusionExposure to road traffic noise >65 dB[A], independent of nitrogen dioxide, was associated with small but adverse changes in blood pressure and cardiovascular biochemistry.

Impact of road traffic noise on obesity measures: Observational study of three European cohorts

Background: Environmental stressors such as transport noise may contribute to development of obesity through increased levels of stress hormones, sleep deprivation and endocrine disruption. Epidemiological evidence supporting an association of road traffic noise with obesity markers is still relatively scant and confined to certain geographical regions. We aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations between road traffic noise and obesity markers in three large European cohorts involving nearly 500,000 individuals.Methods: Three population-based cohorts (UK Biobank, Lifelines, HUNT3) were established between 2006 and 2013 in the UK, the Netherlands and Norway respectively. For all three cohorts, residential 24-h road traffic noise (Lden) for 2009 was modelled from a standardised European noise assessment framework. Residential exposures to NO2 for 2007 and PM2.5 for 2010 were estimated from Europe-wide land use regression models. Obesity markers including body mass index and waist circumference were measured at recruitment. Obesity and central obesity status were subsequently derived. Regression models were fitted in each cohort, adjusting for a harmonised set of demographic and lifestyle covariates, with further adjustments for air pollution in the main model.Results: The main analyses included 412,934 participants of UK Biobank, 61,032 of Lifelines and 30,305 of HUNT3, with a mean age of 43–56 years and Lden ranging 42–89 dB(A) across cohorts. In UK Biobank, per 10 dB(A) higher of Lden: BMI was higher by 0.14kg/m2 (95%CI: 0.11–0.18), waist circumference higher by 0.27 cm (95%CI: 0.19–0.35), odds of obesity was 1.06 (95%CI: 1.04–1.08) and of central obesity was 1.05 (95%CI: 1.04–1.07). These associations were robust to most other sensitivity analyses but attenuated by further adjustment of PM2.5 or area-level socioeconomic status. Associations were more pronounced among women, those with low physical activity, higher household income or hearing impairment. In HUNT3, associations were observed for obesity or central obesity status among those exposed to Lden greater than 55 dB(A). In contrast, no or negative associations were observed in the Lifelines cohort.Conclusions: This largest study to date providing mixed findings on impacts of long-term exposure to road traffic noise on obesity, which necessitates future analyses using longitudinal data to further investigate this potentially important epidemiological link.

Long-term exposure to low levels of air pollution and mortality adjusting for road traffic noise: A Danish Nurse Cohort study

BackgroundThe association between air pollution and mortality is well established, yet some uncertainties remain: there are few studies that account for road traffic noise exposure or that consider in detail the shape of the exposure–response function for cause-specific mortality outcomes, especially at low-levels of exposure. ObjectivesWe examined the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter [(PM) with a diameter of <2.5 µm (PM2.5), <10 µm (PM10)], and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and total and cause-specific mortality, accounting for road traffic noise. MethodsWe used data on 24,541 females (age > 44 years) from the Danish Nurse Cohort, who were recruited in 1993 or 1999, and linked to the Danish Causes of Death Register for follow-up on date of death and its cause, until the end of 2013. Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 at the participants’ residences since 1990 were estimated using the Danish DEHM/UBM/AirGIS dispersion model, and annual mean road traffic noise levels (Lden) were estimated using the Nord2000 model. We examined associations between the three-year running mean of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 with total and cause-specific mortality by using time-varying Cox Regression models, adjusting for individual characteristics and residential road traffic noise. ResultsDuring the study period, 3,708 nurses died: 843 from cardiovascular disease (CVD), 310 from respiratory disease (RD), and 64 from diabetes. In the fully adjusted models, including road traffic noise, we detected associations of three-year running mean of PM2.5 with total (hazard ratio; 95% confidence interval: 1.06; 1.01–1.11), CVD (1.14; 1.03–1.26), and diabetes mortality (1.41; 1.05–1.90), per interquartile range of 4.39 μg/m3. In a subset of the cohort exposed to PM2.5 < 20 µg/m3, we found even stronger association with total (1.19; 1.11–1.27), CVD (1.27; 1.01–1.46), RD (1.27; 1.00–1.60), and diabetes mortality (1.44; 0.83–2.48). We found similar associations with PM10 and none with NO2. All associations were robust to adjustment for road traffic noise. DiscussionLong-term exposure to low-levels of PM2.5 and PM10 is associated with total mortality, and mortality from CVD, RD, and diabetes. Associations were even stronger at the PM2.5 levels below EU limit values and were independent of road traffic noise.

Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise as Drivers of Environmental Protest?

This article investigates whether and to what extent unfavorable local environmental conditions furnish an important motivator for environmental protest. We do so using individual-level data on objective and subjectively perceived residential road traffic and aircraft noise pollution, pertaining to the cities of Mainz (Germany) and Zurich (Switzerland). By referring to fine-grained noise data, we are able to test the predictive power of grievances and self-interest in explaining protest participation more stringently than has been the case in most previous studies. Theoretically, our study is inspired by Klandermans’ socio-psychological framework of political protest, the pressure-response approach, the self-interest perspective, and the collective-interest model. Our empirical findings only partially confirm the grievances assumption that unfavorable local environmental conditions in the form of residential road traffic and aircraft noise stimulate environmental protest. Noise caused by airplanes seems to be more “protest-inducing” than that produced by road traffic. It is not so much the objectively measurable noise level as its subjective perception and evaluation that are deciding factors. However, in line with Klandermans’ protest framework and other theories of political protest, there are more influential drivers of environmental protest, such as environmental concerns and a left-wing political ideology. Thus, the effects of residential road traffic and aircraft noise turn out to be relatively moderate. Ultimately, this means that our tailored measures of grievances corroborate a relatively well-established finding of protest research.

Long-term residential road traffic noise and mortality in a Danish cohort

Transportation noise is a growing public health concern worldwide and epidemiological evidence has linked road traffic noise with mortality. However, incongruent effect estimates have been reported between incidence and mortality studies.Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether long-term exposure to residential road traffic noise at the most and least exposed façades was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, respiratory, or cancer mortality in a Danish cohort study.In a cohort of 52,758 individuals from Copenhagen and Aarhus, we estimated road traffic noise at the most and least exposed façades, as well as ambient air pollution, at all present and historical residential addresses from 1987 to 2016. Using the Danish cause of death register we identified cause-specific mortality. Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards models.Ten-year time-weighted mean road traffic noise exposure at the most exposed façade was associated with an 8% higher risk for all-cause mortality per interquartile range (IQR; 10.4 dB) higher exposure level (95% CI: 1.05–1.11). Higher risks were also observed for CVD (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06–1.19) and stroke (HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.99–1.25) mortality. Road traffic noise at the least exposed façade (per IQR; 8.4 dB) was associated with CVD (HR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.15), IHD (HR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21) and stroke (HR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.95–1.19) mortality. Results were robust to adjustment for PM2.5 and NO2.In conclusion, this study adds to the body of evidence linking exposure to road traffic noise with higher risk of mortality.

Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Filled Prescriptions for Antihypertensive Medication: A Danish Cohort Study.

Background:Epidemiological research on effects of transportation noise on incident hypertension is inconsistent.Objectives:We aimed to investigate whether residential road traffic noise increases the risk for hypertension.Methods:In a population-based cohort of 57,053 individuals 50–64 years of age at enrollment, we identified 21,241 individuals who fulfilled our case definition of filling prescriptions and defined daily doses of antihypertensive drugs (AHTs) within a year, during a mean follow-up time of 14.0 y. Residential addresses from 1987 to 2016 were obtained from national registers, and road traffic noise at the most exposed façade as well as the least exposed façade was modeled for all addresses. Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards models.Results:We found no associations between the 10-y mean exposure to road traffic noise and filled prescriptions for AHTs, with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of 0.999 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.980, 1.019)] per 10-dB increase in road traffic noise at the most exposed façade and of 1.001 (95% CI: 0.977, 1.026) at the least exposed façade. Interaction analyses suggested an association with road traffic noise at the least exposed façade among subpopulations of current smokers and obese individuals.Conclusion:The present study does not support an association between road traffic noise and filled prescriptions for AHTs. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6273

Associations between road traffic noise exposure at home and school and ADHD in school-aged children: the TRAILS study

Environmental noise may play a role in the manifestation and severity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but evidence is limited. We investigated the cross-sectional associations between residential and school road traffic noise exposure and ADHD symptoms and diagnosis. The sample included n = 1710, 10–12-year-old children from the TRAILS study in The Netherlands. ADHD symptoms were measured using a DSM-IV based subscale from the Child Behavior Checklist. Children with diagnosed ADHD originated from the clinic-referred cohort. Road traffic noise (Lden) was estimated at the residence and school level, by model calculation. Risk ratios for ADHD symptoms and ADHD diagnoses, and regression coefficients for symptom severity were estimated separately and simultaneously for residential and school road traffic noise. Adjusted multinomial models with residential road traffic noise showed that residential noise was not associated with ADHD symptoms, but was associated with lower risks for ADHD diagnosis (RR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.89, 0.97). Similar associations were observed for models including school road traffic noise and models including both exposures. No clear exposure response relationship was observed for associations between residential or school noise and ADHD symptom severity. We found no evidence for a harmful association between road traffic noise and ADHD. Associations between noise and lower risks for ADHD were observed only in referred cases with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis and may be due to residual confounding or selection bias. Future studies should focus on residential and school noise exposure, and study associations with ADHD symptoms and diagnosis over time.

Noise exposure and childhood asthma up to adolescence

ObjectiveIncreasing evidence indicates aggravation of immune-mediated diseases due to physiological and psychological stress. Noise is a stressor, however, little is known about its effects on children's respiratory health. This study investigates the association between pre- or postnatal road traffic or occupational noise exposure and asthma as well as related symptoms from infancy to adolescence. MethodsThe study was conducted in the Swedish birth cohort BAMSE, including over 4000 participants followed with repeated questionnaires and clinical tests until 16 years of age. Pre- and postnatal residential road traffic noise was assessed by estimating time-weighted average noise levels at the most exposed façade. Maternal occupational noise exposure during pregnancy was evaluated using a job-exposure-matrix. The associations between noise exposure and asthma-related outcomes were explored using logistic regression and generalised estimating equations. ResultsWe observed non-significant associations for asthma ever up to 16 years with residential road traffic noise exposure in infancy ≥55 dBLden (adjusted OR = 1.22; 95% CI 0.90–1.65), as well as prenatal occupational noise exposure ≥80 dBLAeq,8h (1.18, 0.85–1.62). In longitudinal analyses, however, no clear associations between pre- or postnatal exposure to residential road traffic noise, or average exposure to noise since birth, were detected in relation to asthma or wheeze until 16 years. ConclusionWe did not find a clear overall association between exposure to noise during different time periods and asthma or wheeze up to adolescence.

Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Depression/Anxiety: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Unlike other World Health Organization evidence reviews, the systematic review on mental disorders could not provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of environmental noise. With that in mind, we aimed to update it with additional studies published through to 18 August 2019 in order to allow for a formal meta-analysis of the association of residential road traffic noise with anxiety and depression. The quality effects and random effects estimators were used for meta-analysis and the robustness of findings was tested in several sensitivity analyses. Ten studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which we extracted 15 estimates for depression (n = 1,201,168) and five for anxiety (n = 372,079). Almost all studies were cross-sectional and the risk of bias in them was generally high. We found 4% (95% CI: −3%, 11%) higher odds of depression and 12% (95% CI: −4%, 30%) of anxiety associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day–evening–night noise level (Lden). Both models suffered from moderate heterogeneity (55% and 54%), but there was evidence of publication bias only in the depression model. These findings were robust with no evidence of study-level moderators. A sensitivity analysis on an alternative set of categorically-reported estimates supported a linear relationship between Lden and depression. Taking into account an overall quality assessment for the included studies, we conclude that there is evidence of “very low” quality that increasing exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with depression and anxiety.

Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Birth Outcomes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Unlike the other WHO evidence reviews, the systematic review on birth outcomes could not provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of environmental noise. With that in mind, we aimed to update it with additional studies published through to 12 May, 2019 to allow for a formal meta-analysis of the association of residential road traffic noise with birth weight, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), and preterm birth (PTB). The quality effects and random effects estimators were used for meta-analysis and the robustness of findings was tested in several sensitivity analyses. Nine studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which we extracted seven estimates for birth weight (n = 718,136 births) and LBW (n = 620,221), and five for SGA (n = 547,256) and PTB (n = 74,609). We found −8.26 g (95% CI: −20.61 g, 4.10 g) (I2 = 87%) lower birth weight associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day-evening-night noise level (Lden), and this effect became significant in sensitivity analyses. No evidence of significant effects was found for LBW (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.23) (I2 = 49%), SGA (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.86, 1.21) (I2 = 90%), or PTB (OR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.27) (I2 = 69%). The quality of evidence for continuous birth weight was graded as “moderate”, while for the other outcomes it was deemed “very low”. Finally, we discuss limitations of the risk of bias assessment criteria employed by Nieuwenhuijsen et al.

Indoor and outdoor road traffic noise and incident diabetes mellitus: Results from a longitudinal German cohort study

We used data from 3,396 participants of age 45-75 years of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study being non-diabetic at baseline (2000-2003). T2DM was defined via blood glucose level, incident intake of an anti-diabetic drug during follow-up or self-reported physician diagnosis at follow-up examination (2005-2008). Weighted 24-h (Lden) and night-time (Lnight) mean road traffic noise was assessed according to the European Union directive 2002/49/EC. Road traffic noise exposure indoors was modeled taking into account the participants' room orientation, ventilation behavior and window insulation (n = 2,697). We applied Poisson regression analyses to estimate relative risks (RRs) of incident T2DM, adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and air pollution exposure (NO2 or PM2.5). A 10-dB(A) increase in outdoor road traffic noise (Lden) was associated with an RR of 1.09 (95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.24) for T2DM in the fully adjusted model. Models including PM2.5 or NO2 yielded RRs of 1.09 (0.96-1.24) and 1.11 (0.97-1.27), respectively. In analyses with road traffic noise (Lden) exposure indoors, we observed similar RRs with smaller confidence intervals (1.11 [1.01-1.21]). Our analyses suggest that long-term exposure to indoor and outdoor road traffic noise may increase the risk of developing T2DM, independent of air pollution exposure.