Noise Pollution Does Affect Cardiovascular Health, But The Extent Of Problem Needs To Be Further Investigated

When it comes to adults, a number of studies also suggest the existence of a relationship between the blood pressure levels and the high levels of traffic or aircraft noise. Interestingly enough, other studies (conducted in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands) found an inverse relationship, with the subjects in the highest noise category showing lower blood pressure readings. Therefore, there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence that exposure to noise increases mean blood pressure. And if we’re talking about hypertension per se, the pattern is also inconsistent. For example, when the association between noise from road traffic and railway traffic and the prevalence of hypertension was studied in the Swedish town of Sollentuna in 1998, researchers found a significant relative risk in the road traffic exposed group. However, similar studies conducted in Amsterdam didn’t reveal any increase in the risk of hypertension in subjects that were more disturbed by noise in comparison to those who were less disturbed by noise. 

A meta-analysis published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal which analyzed over 40 occupational and community centered studies contains several interesting findings. Occupational noise studies, i.e. the studies of people who are exposed to high levels of noise in their workplace, are as contradictory as the findings mentioned above regarding the blood pressure. However, when it comes to the risk of hypertension, there seems to be indeed a relationship with occupational noise, but not with road traffic noise, confirming the conclusions of previous researchers.

High level of aircraft noise can be a serious concern

More recently, a group of investigators decided to evaluate the existence of a relationship between aircraft noise and the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease in general. The study, published this year in the British Medical Journal, involved the assessment of several residents living in a number of neighborhoods surrounding Heathrow Airport in London. It was found that for all of the above-mentioned ailments (stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease) the risk of hospital admission was related to increased aircraft noise areas. When it came to mortality, the same relationship was found, although the number of events registered was much smaller than the number of hospital admissions. The data were particularly convincing of the existence of a relationship between the daytime noise and the coronary heart disease-related mortality.

Here are some of the biggest noise pollutants linked to cardiovascular concerns:

1. Road Traffic Noise: This is one of the most studied and prevalent sources of noise pollution in urban settings. Chronic exposure to road traffic noise has been linked to an increased risk of hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, and other cardiovascular disorders.

2. Railway Noise: Those living close to railways, especially busy transit lines, can experience increased cardiovascular risks due to the chronic noise exposure.

3. Industrial Noise: Industries, factories, and construction sites often produce significant levels of noise. Workers and nearby residents exposed to these noise levels can face increased cardiovascular risks.

4. Recreational Noise: Loud music events, festivals, or venues can expose attendees to high noise levels for prolonged periods. While these are often short-term exposures compared to the continuous noise from traffic or industry, they can still pose risks if exposure is frequent.

5. Wind Turbine Noise: Some studies have suggested that the infrasound and low-frequency noise produced by wind turbines might have health impacts, including cardiovascular effects, but the evidence is not as robust as that for road traffic or aircraft noise.

Read More: Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Although the biologic mechanism underlying the assumption that cardiovascular problems must be seen as a consequence of noise-induced stress is plausible and supported by several studies, this connection involves a very complex mechanism. Many variables come into play and some populations might be more sensitive to the effects of noise pollution. To this day, the scientific validity of this theory hasn’t been fully validated. However, the absence of scientific evidence does not necessarily mean the absence of a relationship between the noise pollution and cardiovascular diseases.