Residential Traffic Noise Exposure Research Articles

Residential traffic noise exposure and health in Cameroon

ABSTRACT Traffic noise including road, railway and aircraft traffic noise is the main environmental noise people are exposed to. This study aims to analyse the effects of residential traffic noise pollution on health in Cameroon. For this purpose, we relied on data from the fourth Cameroon household living standards survey in our empirical analysis. To address the potential endogeneity problem of residential traffic noise exposure in the health model, we specified several recursive bivariate probit models. Health is captured by self-reported health status, while noise exposure is captured by people’s self-reported noise annoyance from traffic. Results from the selection equation estimates show that exposure to noise increases with proximity to transport infrastructures including paved roads, railways and airports. Besides, results from the outcome equation suggest that exposure to traffic noise significantly reduces the likelihood of being healthy. The more people are exposed to traffic noise, the worse their health will become. Therefore, policy-makers should implement strategies to reduce people’s exposure to traffic noise pollution in order to minimise its adverse health effects.

Reader Response: Diet Inflammatory Index and Dementia Incidence: A Population-Based Study.

The article by Charisis et al. comes at a time when there is no fully approved treatment for dementia and an ever-growing list of “associations” with dementia,1 featuring risk genes to dietary intake to residential traffic noise exposure.2,3 However, there is a mismatch between promising associations and the interventions these associations inspire for use with patients,4 the overwhelming majority of which fail to have any impact. The authors hope that the information they contribute “might avail the development of primary dementia preventive strategies through tailored and precise dietary interventions”1 should be tempered in the light of such a sobering observation.

Environmental noise exposure is associated with atherothrombotic risk

There is growing evidence that environmental noise exposure could increase the risk of atherothrombotic events, including acute myocardial infarction (MI). We analysed the burden of environmental noise on atherothrombotic risk in MI patients. From the RICO survey, 879 consecutive MI patients included from 2004 to 2008 and living in an urban unit of > 237,000 inhabitants were analysed. Atherothrombotic risk was calculated using the TRS-2P score. TRS-2P categories were split into low (TRS-2P = 0/1) (40.8%), medium–low (TRS-2P = 2) (25.7%), medium–high (TRS-2P = 3) (21.8%) and high risk (TRS-2P ≥ 4) (11.6%). Noise exposure was associated with atherothrombotic risk, with the LAeq,24 h (OR (95% CI): 1.165 (1.026–1.324)) and Lnight (OR (95CI): 1.157 (1.031–1.298)), for each 10 dB(A) increase. After adjustment, noise exposure remained a predictor of atherothrombotic risk, with LAeq,24 h (OR (95% CI): 1.162 (1.011–1.337)) and with Lnight (OR (95% CI): 1.159 (1.019–1.317)). The relationship with transportation Lnight was significant for men (OR (95% CI): 1.260 (1.078–1.472)) but not for women (OR (95% CI): 0.959 (0.763–1.205)). We found a significant association between residential traffic noise exposure and atherothrombotic risk in men but not in women. These results could have major consequences for secondary prevention.

Residential traffic noise exposure and headaches: Results from the population-based heinz nixdorf recall study.

Context and aim:The link between headaches and exposure to loud noise in occupational settings has been established. However, the effect of less intense but chronic residential traffic noise exposure on headache occurrence is less clear.Settings and design:We included 3,025 participants from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study in Germany for this cross-sectional analysis.Methods and material:Residential road traffic noise exposure at the 2006–2008 address was modelled in A-weighted decibels (dB(A)) according to the European Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) for 24-hour (Lden) and night-time noise (22-6 h, Lnight). Indoor traffic noise exposure was obtained by modifying Lden and Lnight based on residence orientation, window type, and personal window opening habits. Traffic noise exposure below 55, 45 dB(A), 35 and 25 dB(A) were set as the reference for Lden, Lnight, Lden,indoor and Lnight,indoor, respectively. Average number of days with headache per month over the past three months was ascertained during the follow-up (2011–2015) medical interview.Statistical analysis used:Prevalence Odds Ratios (POR) of having eight or more headaches per month per 5 dB(A) increase in traffic noise exposure were calculated using logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, sport, number of chronic conditions, years of education and smoking status.Results:The mean age of participants was 58.3. Mean Lden was 54 dB(A). Median monthly headache days was one. No association was seen between traffic noise exposure and having ≥8 headaches/month for all the examined traffic noise indicators. However, traffic noise was positively associated with traffic noise-annoyance and insomnia; and night-time traffic noise-annoyance and insomnia were positively associated with headache.Conclusion:In conclusion, our data did not provide any evidence for an association between chronic traffic noise exposure and prevalence of headaches at this population’s exposure levels. This should be explored in different populations given that this is the first study of its type and that noise exposure was generally low in our population.

Long-term residential exposure to PM2.5, PM10, black carbon, NO2, and ozone and mortality in a Danish cohort

Air pollutants such as NO2 and PM2.5 have consistently been linked to mortality, but only few previous studies have addressed associations with long-term exposure to black carbon (BC) and ozone (O3).We investigated the association between PM2.5, PM10, BC, NO2, and O3 and mortality in a Danish cohort of 49,564 individuals who were followed up from enrollment in 1993–1997 through 2015. Residential address history from 1979 onwards was combined with air pollution exposure obtained by the state-of-the-art, validated, THOR/AirGIS air pollution modelling system, and information on residential traffic noise exposure, lifestyle and socio-demography.We observed higher risks of all-cause as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality with higher long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, BC, and NO2. For PM2.5 and CVD mortality, a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.13–1.47) per 5 μg/m3 was observed, and correspondingly HRs of 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05–1.27) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.17) were observed for BC (per 1 μg/m3) and NO2 (per 10 μg/m3), respectively. Adjustment for noise gave slightly lower estimates for the air pollutants and CVD mortality. Inverse relationships were observed for O3. None of the investigated air pollutants were related to risk of respiratory mortality. Stratified analyses suggested that the elevated risks of CVD and all-cause mortality in relation to long-term PM, NO2 and BC exposure were restricted to males.This study supports a role of PM, BC, and NO2 in all-cause and CVD mortality independent of road traffic noise exposure.

Residential traffic noise and mammographic breast density in the Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort.

Traffic is the most important source of community noise, and it has been proposed to be associated with a range of disease outcomes, including breast cancer. As mammographic breast density (MD) is one of the strongest risk factors for developing breast cancer, the present study investigated whether there is an association between residential exposure to traffic noise and MD in a Danish cohort. We included women with reproductive and lifestyle information available from the Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort, who also participated in the Copenhagen Mammography Screening Programme (n = 5,260). Present and historical addresses from 1987 to 2011 were found in national registries, and traffic noise was modeled 5years before mammogram. Analyses between residential traffic noise and MD were performed using logistic regression. We found no association between residential road and railway noise exposure 5years before mammogram, and having a mixed/dense versus a fatty mammogram, and no interaction with menopausal status, BMI, HRT use, and railway noise exposure, for analyses on road traffic noise. The present study does not suggest an association between residential traffic noise exposure and subsequent MD in a cohort of middle-aged Danish women.

Associations between residential traffic noise exposure and smoking habits and alcohol consumption-A population-based study.

Traffic noise stresses and disturbs sleep. It has been associated with various diseases, and has recently also been associated with lifestyle. Hence, the association between traffic noise and disease could partly operate via a pathway of lifestyle habits, including smoking and alcohol intake. We investigated associations between modelled residential traffic noise and smoking habits and alcohol consumption. In a cohort of 57,053 participants, we performed cross-sectional analyses using data from a baseline questionnaire (1993-97), and longitudinal analyses of change between baseline and follow-up (2000-02). Smoking status (never, former, current) and intensity (tobacco, g/day) and alcohol consumption (g/day) was self-reported at baseline and follow-up. Address history from 1987-2002 for all participants were found in national registries, and road traffic and railway noise was modelled 1 and 5 years before enrolment, and from baseline to follow-up. Analyses were performed using logistic and linear regression, and adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic variables, leisure-time sports, and noise from the opposite source (road/railway). Road traffic noise exposure 5 years before baseline was positively associated with alcohol consumption (adjusted difference per 10dB: 1.38g/day, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.65), smoking intensity (adjusted difference per 10dB: 0.40g/day, 95% CI: 0.19-0.61), and odds for being a current vs. never/former smoker at baseline (odds ratio (OR): 1.14; 95% CI: 1.10-1.17). In longitudinal analyses, we found no association between road traffic noise and change in smoking and alcohol habits. Railway noise was not associated with smoking habits and alcohol consumption, neither in cross-sectional nor in longitudinal analyses. The study suggests that long-term exposure to residential road traffic is associated with smoking habits and alcohol consumption, albeit only in cross-sectional, but not in longitudinal analyses.

Residential road traffic noise exposure and colorectal cancer survival - A Danish cohort study.

BackgroundResidential traffic noise exposure may entail sleep disruption and compromised circadian functioning; two factors which have been associated with a poor colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between residential road traffic noise and CRC survival.Methods and materialsRoad traffic noise was calculated for all residential addresses from 1987 to February 2012 for incident CRC cases (n = 1,234) in a cohort of 57,053 Danes. We used Cox Proportional Hazard Models to investigate the association between residential road traffic noise at different time-windows, and overall and CRC-specific mortality. Furthermore, we investigated interaction with sex, age, prognostic factors, and comorbidity. Mortality Rate Ratios (MRR) were calculated in unadjusted models, and adjusted for railway noise, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic variables.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 4 years, 594 patients died; 447 from CRC. We found no association between road traffic noise exposure and overall (MRR 1.00 (0.88–1.13) per 10 dB) or CRC-specific mortality (MRR 0.98 (0.85–1.13) per 10 dB) over the entire follow-up period, or 1 year preceding death. Results did not differ when examining colon and rectal cancer separately. Interaction analyses suggested that patients with less clinically advanced disease could be more susceptible to harmful effects of traffic noise.ConclusionThe present study suggests no overall association between residential road traffic noise and concurrent mortality in CRC patients. As it is the first study of its kind, with relatively limited power, further studies are warranted.

Residential traffic noise exposure and vestibular schwannoma – a Danish case–control study

Background: Few risk factors for sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) are known. Several studies have proposed an increased risk with occupational noise exposure, whereas no studies have investigated residential traffic noise exposure as a risk factor. The present study investigated if residential traffic noise was associated with vestibular schwannoma in a large, population-based Danish case–control study.Material and methods: We identified 1454 VS cases, age above 30 years at diagnosis, between 1990 and 2007. For each case, we selected two random population controls, matched on sex and year of birth. Road and railway traffic noise at the residence was calculated for all present and historical addresses between 1987 and index date. Associations between traffic noise and risk for VS were estimated using conditional logistic regression, adjusted for education, disposable personal income, cohabitation status, railway noise exposure, municipal population density, and municipal income.Results: A two-year time-weighted mean road traffic noise exposure was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.92 (0.82–1.03) for developing VS, per 10 dB increment. There was no clear trend in categorical analyses. Similarly, linear and categorical analyses of residential railway noise did not suggest an association. We found no interaction with demographics, year of diagnosis, individual and municipal socioeconomic variables, and railway noise exposure. The results did not differ by tumor side, spread or size.Conclusions: The present study does not suggest an association between residential traffic noise and VS.

Residential traffic noise exposure assessment: application and evaluation of European Environmental Noise Directive maps

Digital noise maps produced according to the European Environmental Noise Directive (END) could provide valuable exposure information in noise and health research. However, their usefulness in epidemiological studies has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to apply and evaluate Swedish END maps for assessments of residential traffic noise exposure. END maps from three Swedish cities were used to assess residential traffic noise exposure for a population sample of 2496 men and women included in a national Environmental Health Survey. For each subject, we assessed noise levels manually and automatically at three geographical points, using survey data to locate dwellings within buildings. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) was used to assess agreement between the noise estimates. To evaluate the maps, we compared the observed and predicted proportions of annoyed residents as a function of noise exposure using survey data and already established exposure-response relationships. The root mean square deviation (r.m.s.) was used to assess the precision of observed estimates. The agreement between the noise estimates ranged from κ=0.4 to 0.8. Generally, there was a high correspondence between observed and predicted exposure-response relationships for noise annoyance, regardless of method and if data on dwelling location within building were used. The best precision was, however, found when we manually corrected the noise level according to the location of the dwelling within buildings (r.m.s.=0.029). Noise maps based on the END appear useful for assessing residential traffic noise exposure, particularly if combined with survey data on dwelling location.

Parameters of well-being and subjective health and their relationship with residential traffic noise exposure — A representative evaluation in Switzerland

In the present paper, the associations between residential traffic noise exposure from the noise sources – road, rail and aircraft – and self-reported indicators of health and well-being are investigated in a representative sample of the Swiss population. The study is based on record linkage of the Swiss GIS Noise Database (SonBase) and the Swiss Household Panel (SHP), a large panel survey with more than 10,000 respondents all over the country. A range of exposure–effect relationships of noise exposure and parameters of health and well-being such as self-reported health status, satisfaction with health, sleep disturbances, the intensity of the wish to move from the current residence as well as the awareness of "noise problems" at the place of living were investigated. Both unadjusted as well as models that controlled for age, sex, socioeconomic status, degree of urbanization at the place of residence, and personal living conditions were developed. A contribution of residential noise exposure as regards subjective estimates of health cannot been ruled out, but must be put into perspective as the effects of exposure measures were of rather small magnitude, especially compared to well-established determinants of health. Against the background of the explanatory power of classic health predictors, the present analyses allow one to gage the contribution of residential noise exposure on subjective health outcomes from a more general, integral point of view.

An analysis of traffic noise abatement scenarios

Computer simulations of traffic sound levels were performed to evaluate the probable effectiveness of several hypothetical noise abatement scenarios in reducing residential exposure to traffic sound. These simulations were performed for 28 actual census tracts in six cities which were chosen to be representative of the urban United States. Results showed that neighborhood land use patterns have a strong influence on residential traffic noise exposure and thus constrain the potential effectiveness of any noise abatement strategy. Limits on the acceleration noise of new automobiles were calculated to have only a small effect on traffic noise exposure, while limits on truck acceleration noise were calculated to have a greater effect. A combination of noise barriers along freeways and nonresidential zoning along arterials was calculated to have approximately the same effect on residential noise exposure as severe constraints on both automobile and truck acceleration noise levels. Further calculations showed that if no constraints on new vehicle noise levels were imposed, and if the new vehicle fleet included more four cylinder and diesel automobiles, residential traffic noise exposure would be marginally greater than at present.