Road traffic noise effects on cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic health: An integrative model of biological mechanisms

Exploring the effects of noise pollution on physiology and ptilochronology of birds

Short and long-term sound-induced stress on daily basis can affect the physiology of avian individuals because they are more susceptible to sound stress in an open environment.

OBJECTIVES

An ex-situ study was carried out to determine the impact of noise on physiology and ptilochronology of non-breeding male domesticated quail birds.

METHODOLOGY

During 60-days long trial, male quail birds, aged 5-weeks, weighing (c.100gm) were used. Out of 72 experimental birds, 18 birds were assigned to the Control Group (G1) while remaining 54 birds were divided equally into 3 treatment groups: Road Traffic noise (G2), Military activity noise (G3) and Human Activities noise (G4). Birds were housed in standard-sized separate cages (20 ×45 × 20 cm), every bird was kept apart in separate cage in open laboratory under maintained environmental conditions. Millet seeds and water were provided to all the experimental birds ad libitum. Noise originated from several sources of recorded high-intensity music (1125 Hz/ 90 dB), was administered for 5-6 hours per day. Observations were recorded in the morning and afternoon. The experiment was conducted during the non-breeding season from August to October in triplicate. Blood sampling was done after 60 days.

RESULTS

According to the current study, noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentrations of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and glucose while a decline in the levels of albumin was seen in treatment birds of G3. While in terms of hematology, total white blood cells count (TWBC), total red blood cells count (TRBC), mean cell volume (MCV) & packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were raised in blood of treatment birds of G3. In terms of hormones, noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increased the serum concentrations of Corticosterone in G3 while a significant (p<0.05) decline was observed in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the same group. Moreover, fault bar formation in G3 was more prominent than others.

CONCLUSION

Noise stress can significantly affect serology, hematology, hormonal physiology and ptilochronology in quail birds.

Pathomechanistic synergy between particulate matter and traffic noise induced cardiovascular damage and the classical risk factor hypertension

SIGNIFICANCE

In all modern urbanized and industrialized societies, non-communicable diseases, like cardiovascular disease (CVD), are becoming a more important cause of morbidity and mortality. Classic risk factors for CVDs, such as hypertension, are reinforced by behavioral risk factors, like smoking and diet, and environmental risk factors, like transportation noise and air pollution.

RECENT ADVANCES

Both transportation noise and air pollution have individually been shown to increase the risk for CVD in large cohorts. Insights from animal studies have revealed pathophysiologic mechanisms by which these stressors influence the cardiovascular system. Noise primarily causes annoyance and sleep disturbance, promoting the release of stress hormones. Air pollution primarily damages the lung, where it causes local inflammation and an increase in oxidative stress, which can propagate to the circulation and remote organs.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Both noise and air pollution converge at the vascular level, where the inflammatory state and oxidative stress cause dysfunction in vascular signaling and promote atherosclerotic plaque formation and thrombosis. Both inflammation and oxidative stress are key aspects of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as arterial hypertension. The similarities among the mechanisms of environmental risk factor-induced CVD and hypertension indicate that a complex interplay between them can drive the onset and progression of CVDs, leading to synergistic health impacts.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Our present overview of the negative effects of noise and air pollution on the cardiovascular system provides a mechanistic link to the traditional CVD risk factor, hypertension, which could be used to protect patients with pre-existing CVD better.

Assessment of Hippocampal-Related Behavioral Changes in Adolescent Rats of both Sexes Following Voluntary Intermittent Ethanol Intake and Noise Exposure: A Putative Underlying Mechanism and Implementation of a Non-pharmacological Preventive Strategy

Ethanol (EtOH) intake and noise exposure are particularly concerning among human adolescents because the potential to harm brain. Unfortunately, putative underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Moreover, implementing non-pharmacological strategies, such as enriched environments (EE), would be pertinent in the field of neuroprotection. This study aims to explore possible underlying triggering mechanism of hippocampus-dependent behaviors in adolescent animals of both sexes following ethanol intake, noise exposure, or a combination of both, as well as the impact of EE. Adolescent Wistar rats of both sexes were subjected to an intermittent voluntary EtOH intake paradigm for one week. A subgroup of animals was exposed to white noise for two hours after the last session of EtOH intake. Some animals of both groups were housed in EE cages. Hippocampal-dependent behavioral assessment and hippocampal oxidative state evaluation were performed. Results show that different hippocampal-dependent behavioral alterations might be induced in animals of both sexes after EtOH intake and sequential noise exposure, that in some cases are sex-specific. Moreover, hippocampal oxidative imbalance seems to be one of the potential underlying mechanisms. Additionally, most behavioral and oxidative alterations were prevented by EE. These findings suggest that two frequently found environmental agents may impact behavior and oxidative pathways in both sexes in an animal model. In addition, EE resulted a partially effective neuroprotective strategy. Therefore, it could be suggested that the implementation of a non-pharmacological approach might also potentially provide neuroprotective advantages against other challenges. Finally, considering its potential for translational human benefit might be worth.

Long-term exposure to transportation noise and diabetes mellitus mortality: a national cohort study and updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Long-term exposure to transportation noise is related to cardio-metabolic diseases, with more recent evidence also showing associations with diabetes mellitus (DM) incidence. This study aimed to evaluate the association between transportation noise and DM mortality within the Swiss National Cohort.

METHODS

During 15 years of follow-up (2001-2015; 4.14 million adults), over 72,000 DM deaths were accrued. Source-specific noise was calculated at residential locations, considering moving history. Multi-exposure, time-varying Cox regression was used to derive hazard ratios (HR, and 95%-confidence intervals). Models included road traffic, railway and aircraft noise, air pollution, and individual and area-level covariates including socio-economic position. Analyses included exposure-response modelling, effect modification, and a subset analysis around airports. The main findings were integrated into meta-analyses with published studies on mortality and incidence (separately and combined).

RESULTS

HRs were 1.06 (1.05, 1.07), 1.02 (1.01, 1.03) and 1.01 (0.99, 1.02) per 10 dB day evening-night level (Lden) road traffic, railway and aircraft noise, respectively (adjusted model, including NO2). Splines suggested a threshold for road traffic noise (~ 46 dB Lden, well below the 53 dB Lden WHO guideline level), but not railway noise. Substituting for PM2.5, or including deaths with type 1 DM hardly changed the associations. HRs were higher for males compared to females, and in younger compared to older adults. Focusing only on type 1 DM showed an independent association with road traffic noise. Meta-analysis was only possible for road traffic noise in relation to mortality (1.08 [0.99, 1.18] per 10 dB, n = 4), with the point estimate broadly similar to that for incidence (1.07 [1.05, 1.09] per 10 dB, n = 10). Combining incidence and mortality studies indicated positive associations for each source, strongest for road traffic noise (1.07 [1.05, 1.08], 1.02 [1.01, 1.03], and 1.02 [1.00, 1.03] per 10 dB road traffic [n = 14], railway [n = 5] and aircraft noise [n = 5], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new evidence that transportation noise is associated with diabetes mortality. With the growing evidence and large disease burden, DM should be viewed as an important outcome in the noise and health discussion.

Association between occupational noise and obesity: a retrospective cohort study in China

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between occupational noise, and obesity and body mass index (BMI) changes.

METHODS

Baseline data were collected from participants (n = 1264) who were followed for 6 years in a retrospective study. The noise exposure level (LAeq,8h) was determined by equivalent continuous weighted sound pressure levels using the fixed-point surveillance method for noise monitoring. The cumulative noise exposure (CNE) level was determined using the equal energy formula, which is based on exposure history and level.

RESULTS

The incidence of obesity at low (RR = 2.364, 95% CI 1.123-4.739]), medium (RR = 3.921, 95% CI 1.946-7.347]), high (RR = 5.242, 95% CI 2.642-9.208]), and severe noise levels (RR = 9.322, 95% CI 5.341-14.428]) was higher risk than the LAeq,8h control level. The risk of obesity among participants exposed to low (RR = 2.957, 95% CI 1.441-6.068]) and high cumulative noise levels (RR = 7.226, 95% CI 3.623-14.415]) was greater than the CNE control level. For every 1 dB(A) increase in LAeq,8h, the BMI increased by 0.063 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.055-0.071], SE = 0.004). For every 1 dB(A) increase in the CNE, the BMI increased by 0.102 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.090-0.113], SE = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational noise is related to the incidence of obesity. The occupational noise level and occupational noise cumulative level were shown to be positively correlated with an increase in BMI.

Treatments and regulatory mechanisms of acoustic stimuli on mood disorders and neurological diseases

Acoustic stimuli such as music or ambient noise can significantly affect physiological and psychological health in humans. We here summarize positive effects of music therapy in premature infant distress regulation, performance enhancement, sleep quality control, and treatment of mental disorders. Specifically, music therapy exhibits promising effects on treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). We also highlight regulatory mechanisms by which auditory intervention affects an organism, encompassing modulation of immune responses, gene expression, neurotransmitter regulation and neural circuitry. As a safe, cost-effective and non-invasive intervention, music therapy offers substantial potential in treating a variety of neurological conditions.

Effects of aircraft noise cessation on blood pressure, cardio- and cerebrovascular endothelial function, oxidative stress, and inflammation in an experimental animal model

Large epidemiological studies have shown that traffic noise promotes the development of cardiometabolic diseases. It remains to be established how long these adverse effects of noise may persist in response to a noise-off period. We investigated the effects of acute aircraft noise exposure (mean sound level of 72 dB(A) applied for 4d) on oxidative stress and inflammation mediating vascular dysfunction and increased blood pressure in male C57BL/6 J mice. 1, 2 or 4d of noise cessation after a 4d continuous noise exposure period completely normalized noise-induced endothelial dysfunction of the aorta (measured by acetylcholine-dependent relaxation) already after a 1d noise pause. Vascular oxidative stress and the increased blood pressure were partially corrected, while markers of inflammation (VCAM-1, IL-6 and leukocyte oxidative burst) showed a normalization within 4d of noise cessation. In contrast, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation of the cerebral microvessels of noise-exposed mice did not improve at all. These data demonstrate that the recovery from noise-induced damage is more complex than expected demonstrating a complete restoration of large conductance vessel function but persistent endothelial dysfunction of the microcirculation. These findings also imply that longer noise pauses are required to completely reverse noise-induced vascular dysfunction including the resistance vessels.

Obesity-related cardiometabolic indicators modify the associations of personal noise exposure with heart rate variability: A further investigation on the Study among Obese and Normal-weight Adults (SONA)

Elucidating the associations between environmental noise and heart rate variability (HRV) would be beneficial for the prevention and control of detrimental cardiovascular changes. Obese people have been found to manifest heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of noise on HRV. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Based on 53 normal-weight and 44 obese young adults aged 18-26 years in Beijing, China, this study aimed to investigate the role of obesity-related cardiometabolic indicators for associations between short-term environmental noise exposure and HRV in the real-world context. The participants underwent personal noise exposure and ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring using portable devices at 5-min intervals for 24 continuous hours. Obesity-related blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory indicators were subsequently examined. Generalized mixed-effect models were used to estimate the associations between noise exposure and HRV parameters. The C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and leptin levels were higher in obese participants compared to normal-weight participants. We observed amplified associations between short-term noise exposure and decreases in HRV among participants with higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. For instance, a 1 dB(A) increment in 3 h-average noise exposure level preceding each measurement was associated with changes of -0.20% (95%CI: -0.45%, 0.04%) and -1.35% (95%CI: -1.85%, -0.86%) in standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN) among participants with lower and higher C-peptide levels, respectively (P for interaction <0.05). Meanwhile, co-existing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could amplify the associations between noise and HRV among obese participants and participants with higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. The more apparent associations of short-term exposure to environmental noise with HRV and the effect modification by PM2.5 may be partially explained by the higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels of obese people.

Associations of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and road traffic noise with the prevalence of asthma in children

The purposes of this study were to elucidate the associations between exposure to particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and road traffic noise and asthma prevalence and to determine the interaction between exposure to multiple pollutants and asthma in children. A total of 3,246 children were recruited from 11 kindergartens in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Land use regression (LUR) was used to establish predictive models for estimating individual exposure levels of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and the 24 h A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq,24). Multiple logistic regression was performed to test the associations between exposure to these environmental factors and asthma prevalence in children. Multiple-exposure models revealed that an interquartile-range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 (1.17 μg/m3) and PM10 (10.69 μg/m3) caused a 1.34-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.70) and 1.17-fold (95% CI = 1.01-1.36) increase in risk of asthma prevalence in children after adjusting for LAeq,24 and NO2. Co-exposure to PM2.5, LAeq,24, and O3, SO2, or CO, as well as co-exposure to PM10, LAeq,24, and CO produced similar findings. Only exposure to one IQR of SO2 (0.15 ppb) was observed a significant association (odds ratio = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00-1.34) with the asthma prevalence in children after adjusting for PM10 and LAeq,24. Exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 may be associated with a higher asthma prevalence in children, while other gaseous pollutants and road traffic noise did not demonstrate significant associations. The interaction of exposure to air pollutants and road traffic noise on asthma prevalence in children was not observed in this study.

Oceanaut's personal acoustic comfort prediction model and sound environment improvement method in the cabin of a Deep-Sea manned submersible

In this study, a personal acoustic comfort prediction model (PACPM) for exploring the acoustic comfort of oceanauts in a deep-sea manned submersible cabin was proposed, and an oceanauts' task performance model (OTPM) was constructed in this study. Based on oceanauts' comfort and task performance, the change characteristics in six different pure-noise environments (the sound pressure levels of the noise audio are 40 dB (A), 45 dB (A), 50 dB (A), 55 dB (A), 60 dB (A), and 65 dB (A) respectively) were analysed. An effective method for improving acoustic comfort was proposed. According to the analysis, personal comfort at 40 and 45 dB(A) was higher than that at other noise levels. The oceanaut's comfort and task performance of normal-weight people were significantly higher than those of thin people. Meanwhile, a comprehensive consideration of the demographic characteristics and physiological responses can effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the personnel acoustic comfort. Furthermore, the 45 dB (A) pure-noise environment overlaid with 40 dB(A) fast-paced light music effectively improves oceanauts' comfort. Practitioner summary: This study provides a convenient and available method for analysing acoustic comfort in the cabins of deep-sea manned submersibles, including a quantitative prediction model and an effective method for sound environment improvements. These can be used to improve the comfort, task performance, and working efficiency of manned submersibles.

How People's COVID-19 Induced-Worries and Multiple Environmental Exposures Are Associated with Their Depression, Anxiety, and Stress during the Pandemic

This study investigates how people's perceived COVID-19 risk, worries about financial hardship, job loss, and family conflicts, and exposures to greenspace, PM2.5, and noise (in people's residential neighborhoods and daily activity locations) are related to their depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a two-day activity-travel diary, a questionnaire, and real-time air pollutant and noise sensors, a survey was conducted to collect data from 221 participants living in two residential neighborhoods of Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear regression was conducted to explore the relationships. Significant associations between people's COVID-19-related worries and exposures to grassland and PM2.5 with depression, anxiety, and stress were found in the results. These associations with depression, anxiety, and stress vary depending on people's demographic attributes. These results can help direct the public authorities' efforts in dealing with the public mental health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aircraft noise and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality near Heathrow Airport: A case-crossover study

Aircraft noise causes annoyance and sleep disturbance and there is some evidence of associations between long-term exposures and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated short-term associations between previous day aircraft noise and cardiovascular events in a population of 6.3 million residing near Heathrow Airport using a case-crossover design and exposure data for different times of day and night. We included all recorded hospitalisations (n = 442,442) and deaths (n = 49,443) in 2014-2018 due to CVD. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the ORs and adjusted for NO2 concentration, temperature, and holidays. We estimated an increase in risk for 10 dB increment in noise during the previous evening (Leve OR = 1.007, 95% CI 0.999-1.015), particularly from 22:00-23:00 h (OR = 1.007, 95% CI 1.000-1.013), and the early morning hours 04:30-06:00 h (OR = 1.012, 95% CI 1.002-1.021) for all CVD admissions, but no significant associations with day-time noise. There was effect modification by age-sex, ethnicity, deprivation, and season, and some suggestion that high noise variability at night was associated with higher risks. Our findings are consistent with proposed mechanisms for short-term impacts of aircraft noise at night on CVD from experimental studies, including sleep disturbance, increases in blood pressure and stress hormone levels and impaired endothelial function.

Traffic noise in the bedroom in association with markers of obesity: a cross-sectional study and mediation analysis of the respiratory health in Northern Europe cohort

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests an association between road traffic noise and obesity, but current evidence is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the association between nocturnal noise exposure and markers of obesity and to assess whether sleep disturbance might be a mediator in this association.

METHODS

We applied data from the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) cohort. We used self-measured waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) as outcome values. Noise exposure was assessed as perceived traffic noise in the bedroom and/or the bedroom window's location towards the street. We applied adjusted linear, and logistic regression models, evaluated effect modifications and conducted mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Based on fully adjusted models we found that women, who reported very high traffic noise levels in bedroom, had 1.30 (95% CI 0.24-2.37) kg/m² higher BMI and 3.30 (95% CI 0.39-6.20) cm higher WC compared to women, who reported no traffic noise in the bedroom. Women who reported higher exposure to road traffic noise had statistically significant higher odds of being overweight and have abdominal obesity with OR varying from 1.15 to 1.26 compared to women, who reported no traffic noise in the bedroom. For men, the associations were rather opposite, although mostly statistically insignificant. Furthermore, men, who reported much or very much traffic noise in the bedroom, had a statistically significantly lower risk of abdominal obesity. Sleep disturbance fully or partially mediated the association between noise in bedroom and obesity markers among women.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that self-reported traffic noise in the bedroom may be associated to being overweight or obese trough sleep disturbance among women, but associations were inconclusive among men.

Sound and Light Waves in Healthy Environments

Architects need the freedom to design their projects with the assurance that they will be inspiring aesthetic as well as healthy places, i.e., buildings, streets, parks, avenues, and squares that offer a complete living experience in an environment that takes into account light, sound, vibration, climate, and all those aspects that can disturb people's well-being. We know that prolonged exposure to noise can cause discomfort and sleep disorders, which affect the quality of life. This noise is not the only pollutant as there are other sound waves such as infrasound and ultrasound that are not perceptible but potentially harmful to health. Not forgetting electromagnetic waves, the light that reaches our bodies and which has regulated our lives throughout the existence of the species. The invention of electric lighting had the consequence that people spend practically all day indoors. Days are poorly illuminated, and the nights have too much light. On the other hand, the intensity of artificial light is a fraction of that of daylight and the spectral composition is also different.

How heat waves, ozone and sunlight hours affect endocrine and metabolic diseases emergency admissions? A case study in the region of Madrid (Spain)

BACKGROUND

Studies which analyse the joint effect of acoustic or chemical air pollution variables and different meteorological variables on neuroendocrine disease are practically nonexistent. This study therefore sought to analyse the impact of air pollutants and environmental meteorological variables on daily unscheduled admissions due to endocrine and metabolic diseases in the Madrid Region from January 01, 2013 to December 31, 2018.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal, retrospective, ecological study of daily time series analysed by Poisson regression, with emergency neuroendocrine-disease admissions in the Madrid Region as the dependent variable. The independent variables were: mean daily concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂ and O₃; acoustic pollution; maximum and minimum daily temperatures; hours of sunlight; relative humidity; wind speed; and air pressure above sea level. Estimators of the statistically significant variables were used to calculate the relative risks (RRs).

RESULTS

A statistically significant association was found between the increase in temperatures in heat waves, RR: 1.123 95% CI (1.001-1.018), and the number of emergency admissions, making it the main risk factor. An association between a decrease in sunlight and an increase in hospital admissions, RR: 1.005 95% CI (1.002 1.008), was likewise observed. Similarly, ozone, in the form of mean daily concentrations in excess of 44 μg/m³, had an impact on admissions due to neuroendocrine disease, RR: 1.010 95% CI (1.007-1.035). The breakdown by sex showed that in the case of women, NO₂ was also a risk factor, RR: 1.021 95% CI (1.007-1.035).

CONCLUSION

The results obtained in this study serve to identify risk factors for this disease, such as extreme temperatures in heat waves, O₃ or NO₂. The robust association found between the decrease in sunlight and increase in hospital admissions due to neuroendocrine disease serves to spotlight an environmental factor which has received scant attention in public health until now.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Metabolic Syndrome in One of the Oil Industries in the South of Iran

Investigating the non-auditory effects of noise on humans has been of interest from different aspects. In this study, the relationship between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional study was performed on 1380 male workers of one of the oil and gas companies in the south of Iran. The data was obtained via clinical examination and hearing status assessment to evaluate the metabolic syndrome and its components, intravenous blood samples were taken and tested according to NCEPATPIII criteria. For statistical analysis, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 at a significant level of 0.05. The results showed that the body mass index variable increased the chance of developing metabolic syndrome by 11.4%. NIHL increases the chance of developing metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.291). Also, the same results were observed in hypertriglyceridemia OR = 1.255, waist circumference (OR = 1.163), fasting blood sugar (OR = 1.159), blood pressure (OR = 1.068) and HDL (OR = 1.051). Considering the effect of NIHL on metabolic syndrome, it is possible to help reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome and any of its components by controlling noise exposure and accordingly reducing non-auditory injuries to individuals.

Associations between COVID-19 risk, multiple environmental exposures, and housing conditions: A study using individual-level GPS-based real-time sensing data

Few studies have used individual-level data to explore the association between COVID-19 risk with multiple environmental exposures and housing conditions. Using individual-level data collected with GPS-tracking smartphones, mobile air-pollutant and noise sensors, an activity-travel diary, and a questionnaire from two typical neighborhoods in a dense and well-developed city (i.e., Hong Kong), this study seeks to examine 1) the associations between multiple environmental exposures (i.e., different types of greenspace, PM_2.5, and noise) and housing conditions (i.e., housing types, ownership, and overcrowding) with individuals' COVID-19 risk both in residential neighborhoods and along daily mobility trajectories; 2) which social groups are disadvantaged in COVID-19 risk through the perspective of the neighborhood effect averaging problem (NEAP). Using separate multiple linear regression and logistical regression models, we found a significant negative association between COVID-19 risk with greenspace (i.e., NDVI) both in residential areas and along people's daily mobility trajectories. Meanwhile, we also found that high open space and recreational land exposure and poor housing conditions were positively associated with COVID-19 risk in high-risk neighborhoods, and noise exposure was positively associated with COVID-19 risk in low-risk neighborhoods. Further, people with work places in high-risk areas and poor housing conditions were disadvantaged in COVID-19 risk.

Association between exposure to multiple air pollutants, transportation noise and cause-specific mortality in adults in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Long-term exposure to air pollution and noise is detrimental to health; but studies that evaluated both remain limited. This study explores associations with natural and cause-specific mortality for a range of air pollutants and transportation noise.

METHODS

Over 4 million adults in Switzerland were followed from 2000 to 2014. Exposure to PM_2.5, PM_2.5 components (Cu, Fe, S and Zn), NO₂, black carbon (BC) and ozone (O₃) from European models, and transportation noise from source-specific Swiss models, were assigned at baseline home addresses. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for individual and area-level covariates, were used to evaluate associations with each exposure and death from natural, cardiovascular (CVD) or non-malignant respiratory disease. Analyses included single and two exposure models, and subset analysis to study lower exposure ranges.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 661,534 individuals died of natural causes (36.6% CVD, 6.6% respiratory). All exposures including the PM_2.5 components were associated with natural mortality, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.026 (1.015, 1.038) per 5 µg/m³ PM_2.5, 1.050 (1.041, 1.059) per 10 µg/m³ NO₂, 1.057 (1.048, 1.067) per 0.5 × 10^-5/m BC and 1.045 (1.040, 1.049) per 10 dB Lden total transportation noise. NO₂, BC, Cu, Fe and noise were consistently associated with CVD and respiratory mortality, whereas PM_2.5 was only associated with CVD mortality. Natural mortality associations persisted < 20 µg/m³ for PM_2.5 and NO₂, < 1.5 10^-5/m BC and < 53 dB Lden total transportation noise. The O₃ association was inverse for all outcomes. Including noise attenuated all outcome associations, though many remained significant. Across outcomes, noise was robust to adjustment to air pollutants (e.g. natural mortality 1.037 (1.033, 1.042) per 10 dB Lden total transportation noise, after including BC).

CONCLUSION

Long-term exposure to air pollution and transportation noise in Switzerland contribute to premature mortality. Considering co-exposures revealed the importance of local traffic-related pollutants such as NO₂, BC and transportation noise.

Suicide and Transportation Noise: A Prospective Cohort Study from Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Although plausible from a pathophysiological point of view, robust evidence for effects of transportation noise on mental health remains scarce. Meanwhile, psychiatric diseases are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide, and suicide as a mortality outcome highly connected to mental disorders presents a pressing public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between source-specific transportation noise, particulate matter (PM) air pollution, residential greenness, and suicide by means of a nationwide cohort study.

METHODS

Road traffic, railway and aircraft noise exposure as well as exposure to air pollution [PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5)] and greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)] were linked to 5.1 million adults (age 15 y and older) in the Swiss National Cohort, accounting for their address history. Mean noise exposure in 5-y periods was calculated. Individuals were followed for up to 15 y (2001-2015). Time-varying Cox regression models were applied to deaths by suicide (excluding assisted suicide). Models included all three noise sources, PM2.5, and NDVI plus individual and spatial covariates, including socioeconomic status. Effect modification by sex, age, socioeconomic indicators, and degree of urbanization was explored.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, there were 11,265 suicide deaths (10.4% poisoning, 33.3% hanging, 28.7% firearms, 14.7% falls). Road traffic and railway noise were associated with total suicides [hazard ratios: 1.040; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.015, 1.065; and 1.022 (95% CI: 1.004, 1.041) per 10 dB day-evening-night level (Lden)], whereas for aircraft noise, a risk increase starting from 50 dB was masked by an inverse association in the very low exposure range (30-40 dB). Associations were stronger for females than males. The results were robust to adjustment for residential greenness and air pollution.

CONCLUSION

In this longitudinal, nationwide cohort study, we report a robust association between exposure to road traffic and railway noise and risk of death by suicide after adjusting for exposure to air pollution and greenness. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that mental health disorders may be related to chronic transportation noise exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11587.

The association between road traffic noise and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

The association between road traffic noise and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was inconsistent. To address this, we have synthesized available cohort studies about their association by meta-analysis. PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched up to July 2022. The Quality-effect model (QE) was used to incorporate the results of included studies. The possibility of publication bias was assessed by the Doi plots and Luis Furuya-Kanamori index. Sensitivity analyses included leave-one-out meta-analysis, subgroup meta-analysis, and meta-regressions. The Recommendations for Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines were conducted to evaluate the overall quality of evidence. Eight cohort studies with 4,989,846 participants and 416,799 diabetes cases were included. Based on the fully adjusted models from 8 cohort studies (10 estimates; Lden range ≈ 15-98.5 dB(A)), we found "high" evidence of RR per 10 dB(A) = 1.07 (1.05, 1.10), high heterogeneity (I2 = 0.91%, p < 0.001), and high publication bias (LKF index = 4.55). Sensitivity analyses showed stable model results, and the GRADE assessment suggested the current overall quality of evidence is high. Comprehensive evidence from cohort studies supports that increasing exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with higher risk of T2DM.

Dose-response association between transportation noise exposure and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

AIMS

To examine the longitudinal association between transportation noise exposure (road traffic, aircraft, and railway noise) and T2D in a meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science published up to February 2022. The GRADE approach was used to evaluate the study quality, and the pooled effect estimate was calculated by the fixed-effects model or the random-effects model.

RESULTS

We included 10 prospective studies with a total of 4,994,171 participants and 417,332 T2D cases in the meta-analysis. According to the Navigation guide, 8 studies out of 10 were rated as having a probably high or high risk of bias. For road noise, the pooled relative risk (RR) per 10 dB higher L_den for developing T2D was 1.06 (95% CI:1.03, 1.09) with high heterogeneity (I²  = 90.1%, p < 0.001). Similar associations were also observed in aircraft and railway noise: the pooled RR were separately were: 1.01 (1.00, 1.01) and 1.02 (1.01, 1.03) separately. A 'dose-response' analysis found a similar linear association between road noise exposure and the risk of T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

An overall 6% increase in the risk of T2D per 10 dB increase in road exposure was observed. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings, especially for aircraft and railway noise, and to identify the mechanisms involved.

Vascular redox signaling, eNOS uncoupling and endothelial dysfunction in the setting of transportation noise exposure or chronic treatment with organic nitrates

SIGNIFICANCE

Cardiovascular disease and drug-induced health side effects are frequently associated with - or even caused by - an imbalance between the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and antioxidants respectively determining the metabolism of these harmful oxidants.

RECENT ADVANCES

According to the "kindling radical" hypothesis, initial formation of RONS may further trigger the additional activation of RONS formation under certain pathological conditions. The present review will specifically focus on a dysfunctional, uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) caused by RONS in the setting of transportation noise exposure or chronic treatment with organic nitrates, especially nitroglycerin. We will further describe the various "redox switches" that are proposed to be involved in the uncoupling process of eNOS.

CRITICAL ISSUES

In particular, the oxidative depletion of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), and S-glutathionylation of the eNOS reductase domain will be highlighted as major pathways for eNOS uncoupling upon noise exposure or nitroglycerin treatment. In addition, oxidative disruption of the eNOS dimer, inhibitory phosphorylation of eNOS at threonine or tyrosine residues, redox-triggered accumulation of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and L-arginine deficiency will be discussed as alternative mechanisms of eNOS uncoupling.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The clinical consequences of eNOS dysfunction due to uncoupling on cardiovascular disease will be summarized also providing a template for future clinical studies on endothelial dysfunction caused by pharmacological or environmental risk factors.

Effects of Housing Deprivation on Health: Empirical Evidence from Spain

Severe housing deprivation rates in Spain have tripled in just four years, affecting 3.4% of the population in 2020, with a higher incidence among the low-income population (9.2%). Despite the social aspect of the problem, minimal research has been carried out in Spain on the effects that the various forms of housing deprivation have on health. This study analyzes the impact of housing deprivation on health outcomes, with the objective of achieving results that facilitate the creation of improved public policies. Microdata are used from the Living Conditions Survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics for the period 2009-2019, and several multilevel logistic regression models are presented to control for possible regional differences. The results show that the elements with the greatest effect on objective health are noise, leaks and harmful temperatures in housing. In addition, environmental factors, such as pollution, neighborhood crime and the number of units in a given apartment building, can be added to the list. As a result, we conclude that there are certain structural and environmental elements in housing and the environment in which is located that have a more intense impact on objective health and on the subjective perception of a person's state of health.

Associations of road traffic noise and its frequency spectrum with prevalent depression in Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Exposure to road traffic noise has been reported to be associated with depression in many epidemiological studies, but the association between noise frequency spectrum and depression remains unclear. This community-based study investigated the associations between road traffic noise exposure and its frequency components with prevalent depression.

Methods

A total of 3,191 residents living in Taichung who participated in the Taiwan Biobank between 2010 and 2017, were included as study participants. The land-use regression models were used to evaluate individual annual average values of A-weighted equivalent sound level over 24 h (L_eq,24h) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) using the geographic information system. Multiple logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for depression after adjusting for potential risk factors and PM_2.5.

Results

An interquartile range increase in L_eq,24h at full frequency (4.7 dBA), 1,000 Hz (5.2 dB), and 2,000 Hz (4.8 dB) was significantly associated with an elevated risk for depression with ORs of 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 2.55), 1.58 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.37), and 1.58 (95% CI:1.03, 2.43), respectively, by controlling for PM_2.5. The high-exposure group (≥3rd quartile median of noise levels) at full frequency, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz had an increased risk for depression with ORs of 2.65 (95% CI: 1.16-6.05), 2.47 (95% CI: 1.07-5.70), and 2.60 (95% CI: 1.10-6.12), respectively, compared with the reference group (<1st quartile of noise levels) after adjustment for PM_2.5. Significant exposure-response trends were observed between the prevalent depression and noise exposure by quartiles at full frequency, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with an increased prevalence of depression, particularly at 1,000 and 2,000 Hz.

Staffs' physiological responses to irrelevant background speech and mental workload in open-plan bank office workspaces

BACKGROUND

Acoustic comfort is one of the most critical challenges in the open-plan workspace.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to assess the effect of irrelevant background speech (IBS) and mental workload (MWL) on staffs' physiological parameters in open-plan bank office workspaces.

METHODS

In this study, 109 male cashier staff of the banks were randomly selected. The 30-minute equivalent noise level (LAeq) of the participants was measured in three intervals at the beginning (section A), middle (section B), and end of working hours (section C). The heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV): low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF of the staff were also recorded in sections A, B, and C. Moreover, staff was asked to rate the MWL using the NASA-Task load.

RESULTS

The dominant frequency of the LAeq was 500 Hz, and the LAeq in the frequency range of 250 to 2000 was higher than other frequencies. The LAeq (500 Hz) was 55.82, 69.35, and 69.64 dB(A) in sections A, B, and C, respectively. The results show that the IBS affects staffs' physiological responses so that with increasing in IBS, the HF power decreases. Moreover, with higher MWL, increasing noise exposure, especially IBS, causes more increases in LF power and LF/HF ratio.

CONCLUSION

It seems that the IBS can affect physiological responses and increase staff stress in open-plan bank office workspaces. Moreover, the mental workload can intensify these consequences in these working settings.

The association of noise exposure with stroke incidence and mortality: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Noise exposure is a major public health challenge with important implications for cardiovascular health. However, the association between noise exposure and stroke risk remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of noise exposure on stroke incidence and mortality by conducting a dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies.

METHODS

The relevant publications were retrieved via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus up to June 26, 2022. The potential linear and curve relationship between noise and stroke were fitted using the generalized least squares method and restricted cubic spline. We estimated the pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) by random-effect models. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the strength of the results.

RESULTS

In total, 21 cohort studies with 16,075,204 participants and 311,878 cases were included in the analysis. The risk of stroke incidence increased up to 4% (95% CI:1.02-1.06) and stroke mortality increased up to 3% (95% CI:1.00-1.07), every 10 dB(A) increment in noise exposure. Moreover, each 10 dB(A) increment in noise exposure was associated with a 4% (95% CI:1.01-1.07) increase in ischemic stroke and a 2% (95% CI:1.00-1.04) increase in hemorrhagic stroke. According to GRADE criteria, the evidence level in this study was rated as moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings provide further evidence of a dose-response relationship between exposure to noise and the risk of stroke incidence and mortality. Additionally, we update and fill a knowledge gap that the statistically significant increase in stroke incidence when noise decibels are >65 dB(A).

Association between noise exposure during pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A meta-analysis

Background

Noise exposure has a significant impact on human health. However, the effect of occupational and residential noise on the risk of pregnancy complications was controversial in the literature. This study looked at previous research and performed a meta-analysis to determine how noise exposure during pregnancy affected the risk of pregnancy complications.

Methods

Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane, and all relevant studies were included. Two investigators independently evaluated the eligibility of these studies. The risk of bias in each study and the quality and strength of each outcome was evaluated by using the GRADE approach and Navigation Guide. Random effects meta-analysis model was used.

Results

The meta-analysis retrieved 1,461 study records and finally included 11 studies. Occupational noise exposure during pregnancy was associated with preeclampsia (RR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.10). Neither occupational nor residential noise exposure was associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (RR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.96, 1.25 and RR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.11) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (RR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.88, 1.00 and RR = 1.06, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.16). Further bias analysis showed that the results were reliable. All outcomes were rated as low in quality and inadequate evidence of harmfulness in strength.

Conclusions

Occupational noise exposure could increase the risk of preeclampsia, according to the findings. There was no clear evidence of a harmful effect of noise exposure during pregnancy on HDP or GDM.

Environmental noise-induced cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health disorders: a brief review

BACKGROUND

Environmental noise is a pervasive pollutant that is one of the greatest environmental threats to mental, physiological and psychological well-being and has a significant global health burden associated with it. Many epidemiological studies indicate long-term relationship of noise pollution with wide range of metabolic, cardio-vascular and respiratory disorders and diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to thoroughly analyse available literature on public health implications and various underlying biological mechanisms associated with ambient noise exposure, taking into account both objective and subjective measures of noise exposure.

METHODS

A search of literature for review on environmental noise and associated cardiovascular, mental health and metabolic implications on human health was done using Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed databases.

DISCUSSION

Experimental studies indicate that noise exposure leads to endocrine effects, increased incidence of diabetes, impairment of cognitive performance, sleep disturbance and annoyance. Epidemiological evidence indicates that high levels of noise, particularly at night, may cause arterial hypertension and endothelial dysfunction due to higher level of stress hormones and oxidative stress. An increased incidence of cardio-vascular diseases like myocardial infarction, heart rate, ischemic heart disease, stroke and heart failure is associated with noise-induced mental stress. Furthermore, psychological and mental health issues like anxiety and depression are also related with exposure to noise pollution.

CONCLUSION

This article summarises a comprehensive and systematic knowledge established in recent noise research with the spotlight on cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health disorders of environmental noise, providing unique understanding into underlying mechanisms.

Types, sources, socioeconomic impacts, and control strategies of environmental noise: a review

Noise exposure has reached an alarming degree over the years because of rapid growth in the industry, transportation, and urbanization. Therefore, it is a dire need to provide awareness of the sources and mitigation strategies of noise, and to highlight the health, and socio-economic impacts of noise. A few research studies have documented this emerging issue; however, there is no comprehensive document describing all types of noise, their impacts on living organisms, and control strategies. This review article summarizes the sources of noise; their effects on industrial workers, citizens, and animals; and the value of property in noisy areas. The plethora of literature is showing an increased level of noise in various cities of the world, which have various health consequences such as high blood pressure, insomnia, nausea, heart attack, exhaustion, dizziness, headache, and triggered hearing loss. Apart from humans, noise also affects animal habitat, preying, and reproduction ability; increases heart rate and hearing loss to even death and loss in property value; and impairs the hospital environment. Finally, we have discussed the possible strategies to mitigate the noise problem, policy statements, and regulations to be followed, with future research directions based on the identified research gaps.

Road Traffic Noise, Obesity, and the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Cohort Study in UK Biobank

Objectives: To assess the association of road traffic noise exposure with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) risk, and to explore the potential moderation effect of obesity. Methods: A total of 305,969 participants from the UK Biobank Cohort - an open access cohort of 500,000 participants recruited in the United Kingdom (UK) between 2006 and 2010 - were included in the study. A Cox proportional hazard model was fitted to assess the association between road traffic noise exposure and T2D. Results: A total of 19,303 participants were diagnosed with T2D during the 11.9-year median follow-up period. For every 10 dB increase in road traffic noise, there was a 4% increase in T2D risk (HR = 1.04, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.07). Besides, a significant positive interaction was observed between obesity and road traffic noise (P interaction <0.001) for the risk of T2D. The association of road traffic noise with T2D was stronger in overweight and obese participants (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.08), but not significant among lean ones (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.86-1.07). Conclusion: Our study observed a longitudinal association of road traffic noise exposure with T2D risk, which was stronger among overweight and obese individuals than the lean ones.

Noise levels associated with urban land use types in Kigali, Rwanda

Noise pollution poses a serious threat to public health and continues to grow in extent, frequency, and severity due to the rapid population growth and urbanization, and this is of particular concern in developing countries such as Rwanda. However, data on noise pollution levels, noise laws and regulations are, however, lacking in Rwanda. We assessed the effect of land-use type during a two-month period at nine sites: three commercial sites, three passenger-car parking sites, two road junction sites, and one reference site (Car-Free Zone) in Rwanda. We collected data on noise pollution during weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in the morning (7h00–10h00), around noon (11h00–14h00), and in the evening (15h00–18h00). The mean noise levels were higher during weekdays (60–80) A-weighted decibels (dB) (A)) than during weekends (50–70 dB (A)). We recorded the lowest noise level at Kigali car-free zone in the morning (34.4 dB (A)) and the highest noise level at Nyabugogo passenger-car parks in the evening (111.2dB (A)). Spatial variation of noise levels interpolated for Kigali City shows higher noise levels (hotspot) in the outskirts of Kigali, Remera and Kimironko. Noise levels recorded in Kigali exceeded the World Health Organization permissible daytime limits during both weekdays and weekends at all land-use types except the car-free zone site. Our results indicate that Kigali residents are exposed to high levels of noise, and urgent development of noise pollution monitoring programs and control measures in Rwanda is required.

Risk Associations between Vehicular Traffic Noise Exposure and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Residential Retrospective Cohort Study

Environmental noise can induce detrimental health effects such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). The relationship between vehicular traffic noise pollution and CVD was investigated through a retrospective residential cohort study in the city of Pisa. Four exposure classes were defined for noise pollution, using noise propagation maps. The association between noise exposures and cause-specific mortality or hospitalization of the subjects of the cohort was calculated using the hazard ratio (HR) for night and day through a multiple time-dependent and sex-specific Cox regression adjusting for age, the socio-economic deprivation index, and traffic air pollution. Mortality excess for CVD and risk trends for a 1 decibel noise increment were observed among the most exposed women (mortality: HRnight_class4 1.15 (1.03-1.28); Trend_night 1.007 (1.002-1.012); HRday_class4 1.14 (1.02-1.27); Trend_day 1.008 (1.003-1.013)), particularly for ischaemic disease (mortality: Trend_night 1.008 (0.999-1.017); Trend_day 1.009 (0.999-1.018)) and cerebrovascular disease (mortality: HRnight_class3 1.23 (1.02-1.48), HRday_class3 1.24 (1.03-1.49)). Hospitalization analyses confirm mortality results. A decreased risk for hospitalization was also observed among the most exposed men (HRday_class4 0.94 (0.88-1.01), particularly for ischaemic disease (HRnight_class4 0.90 (0.80-1.02); HRday_class4 0.86 (0.77-0.97)) and cerebrovascular disease (HRnight_class4 0.89 (0.78-1.01)). Authors recommend the adoption of prevention measures aimed at mitigating noise and the activation of a monitoring of the risk profile in the Pisa population updating both the residential cohort and health data.

Exposure to Green, Blue and Historic Environments and Mental Well-Being: A Comparison between Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display and Flat Screen Exposure

Improving the mental health of urban residents is a global public health priority. This study builds on existing work that demonstrates the ability of virtual exposure to restorative environments to improve population mental health. It compares the restorative effects of green, blue and historic environments delivered by both flat screen and immersive virtual reality technology, and triangulates data from psychological, physiological and qualitative sources. Results from the subjective measure analyses showed that exposures to all the experimental videos were associated with self-reported reduced anxiety and improved mood, although the historic environment was associated with a smaller reduction of anxiety (p < 0.01). These results were supported by the qualitative accounts. For two of the electroencephalography (EEG) frequency bands, higher levels of activity were observed for historic environments. In relation to the mode of delivery, the subjective measures did not suggest any effect, while for the EEG analyses there was evidence of a significant effect of technology across three out of four frequency bands. In conclusion, this study adds to the evidence that the benefits of restorative environments can be delivered through virtual exposure and suggests that virtual reality may provide greater levels of immersion than flat screen viewing.

Traffic noise and adiposity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

Traffic noise has attracted much attention as a significant and intractable public health threat. This study was designed as a systematical review to explore the association of traffic noise with different indicators of obesity, thus providing updated quantitative estimates for the pooled effect estimates of the existing literature. We conducted an extensive search for epidemiological studies that investigated the association of traffic noise with obesity in three electronic databases till February 23, 2021. We used random-effects meta-analysis to calculate the summary effect estimates for each 10-dB(A) increase in noise and compared the highest with the lowest category of noise in relation to seven obesity indicators. Meanwhile, we assessed the risk of bias and the overall quality of the evidence of each study as well as the level of evidence for each exposure-outcome pair. The initial search identified 30 studies, 13 of which were ultimately included. The meta-analysis for the highest versus the lowest category of noise exposure was generally associated with higher waist circumfluence (WC) ranging from 0.326 cm (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.078, 0.574) to 0.705 cm (95% CI = 0.071, 1.340) and higher odds of central obesity ranging from 1.055 (95% CI = 1.000, 1.109) to 1.167 (95% CI = 1.037, 1.298). When the continuous exposure (each 10 dB(A) increase in noise) was introduced, similar results were found. This study indicated positive associations of traffic noise with WC and central obesity. However, in consideration of some limitations, there is an urgent need for future studies to increase the sample size, discriminate the etiological differences in different noise and obesity indicators, and thoroughly consider socioeconomic status.

Associations of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and road traffic noise with sleep health in UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Evidence about associations of pollutants with sleep is limited, and most of studies focused on individual sleep behaviors, neglecting their interrelation. We aimed to assess the relationship between ambient air pollution and road traffic noise with overall sleep health.

METHODS

The study included 378,223 participants from the UK Biobank. Including five sleep behaviors (chronotype, sleep duration, insomnia, snoring, and daytime sleepiness) to construct overall sleep pattern. Ambient air pollution exposure was estimated using Land Use Regression model. Road traffic noise exposure was estimated using a simplified version of the Common Noise Assessment Methods model. Using multinomial and binary logistic regression models to identify the associations between pollutants with overall and individual sleep behaviors, respectively.

RESULTS

Participants were derived in three sleep patterns: healthy (n = 140,490), intermediate (n = 220,627), and poor (n = 17,106). After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with the lowest quartile of PM2.5, the highest quartile had higher odds of intermediate and poor compared to healthy sleep pattern [OR (95% CI) for poor: 1.28 (1.21-1.36); for intermediate: 1.11 (1.09-1.14)]. We observed similar relationships for PM10, PM2.5 absorbance, PMcoarse, NOx, and NO2. In unadjusted model, compared with low exposure of Lnight, high Lnight exposure had higher odds of intermediate and poor compared to healthy sleep pattern [OR (95% CI) for poor: 1.13 (1.06-1.20); for intermediate: 1.03 (1.00-1.06)]. However, such associations disappeared after further adjustment for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term ambient air pollution is associated with overall sleep health. Road traffic noise itself is weakly associated with overall sleep health.

Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a Danish Nurse Cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long-term road traffic noise exposure is linked to cardio-metabolic disease morbidity, whereas evidence on mortality remains limited.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated association of long-term exposure to road traffic noise with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

METHODS

We linked 22,858 females from the Danish Nurse Cohort (DNC), recruited into the Danish Register of Causes of Death up to 2014. Road traffic noise levels since 1970 were modelled by Nord2000 as the annual mean of a weighted 24 h average (L_den). Cox regression models examined the associations between L_den (5-year and 23-year means) and all-cause and cause-specific mortalities, adjusting for lifestyle and exposure to PM_2.5 (particulate matter with diameter < 2.5 μm) and NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide).

RESULTS

During follow-up (mean 17.4 years), 3902 nurses died: 1622 from cancer, 922 from CVDs (289 from stroke), 338 from respiratory diseases (186 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 114 from lower respiratory tract infections [ALRIs]), 234 from dementia, 95 from psychiatric disorders, and 79 from diabetes. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality from fully-adjusted models were 1.06 (1.01, 1.11) and 1.09 (1.03, 1.15) per 10 dB of 5-year and 23-year mean L_den, respectively, which attenuated slightly in our main model (fully-adjusted plus PM_2.5: 1.04 [1.00, 1.10]; 1.08 [1.02, 1.13]). Main model estimates suggested the strongest associations between 5-year mean L_den and diabetes (1.14: 0.81, 1.61), ALRIs (1.13: 0.84, 1.54), dementia (1.12: 0.90, 1.38), and stroke (1.10: 0.91, 1.31), whereas associations with 23-year mean L_den were suggested for respiratory diseases (1.15: 0.95, 1.39), psychiatric disorders (1.11: 0.78, 1.59), and all cancers (1.08: 0.99, 1.17).

DISCUSSION

Among the female nurses from the DNC, we observed that long-term exposure to road traffic noise led to premature mortality, independently of air pollution, and its adverse effects may extend well beyond those on the cardio-metabolic system to include respiratory diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

Behavioral alterations induced by intermittent ethanol intake and noise exposure in adolescent rats

Alcohol intake and exposure to noise are common activities of human adolescents performed in entertainment contexts worldwide that can induce behavioral disturbances. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to investigate in an experimental model of adolescent animals whether noise exposure and intermittent ethanol intake, when present individually or sequentially, might be able to modify different behaviors. Adolescent Wistar rats of both sexes were subjected to voluntary intermittent ethanol intake for 1 week followed by exposure to noise for 2 h and tested in a battery of behavioral tasks. Data show that males exposed to noise experienced a deficit in associative memory (AM), increase in anxiety-like behaviors (ALB) and altered reaction to novelty (RN) when compared with sham animals, whereas females also showed an increase in risk assessment behaviors (RAB) and a decrease in exploratory activity (EA). In contrast, ethanol intake induced an increase in RAB and RN in males and females, whereas females also showed a deficit in AM and EA as well as an increase in ALB. When ethanol was ingested before noise exposure, most parameters were counteracted both in male and females, but differed among sexes. In consequence, it could be hypothesized that an environmental acute stressor like noise might trigger a behavioral counteracting induced by a previous repeated exposure to a chemical agent such as ethanol, leading to a compensation of a non-adaptive behavior and reaching a better adjustment to the environment.

Health impact assessment of transportation noise in two Estonian cities

Transportation noise is a growing public health concern worldwide, especially in urban areas, causing annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular diseases and other health effects. Recently, European Commission (EC) has developed a mutual methodology for assessing health impacts of transportation noise in European Union using strategic noise mapping. Applying this methodology, our aim was to quantify the health effects of road, rail and aircraft noise in two Estonian cities, Tallinn and Tartu. We also aimed to assess sensitivity of this methodology, while implementing lower threshold values and employing additional health outcomes. The proportion of highly annoyed residents due to road traffic noise was 11.6% in Tallinn, and 9.2% in Tartu; around 2.5% residents in both cities could have high sleeping disturbances. As exposure to railway and aircraft noise was relatively low in both cities, people with high annoyance and high sleep disturbance caused by railway and aircraft noise was below 1%. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) cases attributable to road traffic noise was estimated to be 122.6 in Tallinn and 21.5 in Tartu. Altogether transportation noise was estimated to cause 1807 disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in Tallinn and 370 DALYs in Tartu. The health costs were calculated as €126.5 and €25.9 million annually, respectively in the two cities. When we included higher number of health outcomes (stroke incidence, IHD deaths) and lowered exposure threshold by 5 dB, the annual burden of disease was doubled. As the latest epidemiological studies showed transportation noise having larger number of effects on lower noise levels, the results with the currently applied European Commission health impact assessment (HIA) methodology were rather conservative. Despite of uncertainties associated to applied methodology, transportation noise, especially road traffic noise, is an important environmental risk factor, that leads to considerable loss of healthy life years and causes large health costs in urban areas.

Natural and built environments and blood pressure of Alpine schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Early life environments may influence children's blood pressure (BP), but evidence on the combined effects of natural and built environment exposures is scarce. The present study investigates the associations of natural and built environment indicators, traffic noise, and air pollution with BP in children living in Alpine valleys.

METHODS

In 2004/2005, 1251 school children (8-12 years old) were sampled for a cross-sectional survey in several Austrian and Italian mountain valleys. Children's mothers completed a questionnaire. The outcomes of interest were systolic and diastolic BP measured with a calibrated oscillometric device. Indicators of land cover assigned to the residential and school coordinates within 100 and 1000 m included normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), tree canopy cover, and a broader naturalness indicator titled distance to nature (D2N). The presence of a home garden was also measured via self-report. Imperviousness density served as a proxy for the built environment. Residential air pollution (NO₂) and noise (L_den) from traffic were calculated using bespoke modeling. NO₂, L_den, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) were treated as mediating pathways.

RESULTS

Higher NDVI and tree cover levels in residential and school surroundings and home gardens were consistently associated with lower BP. The built environment was associated with higher BP. Counterintuitive inverse associations between NO₂ and L_den and BP were also found. Structural equation modeling showed that higher levels of greenspace and presence of a home garden were weakly associated with more outdoor play spaces, and in turn with lower BMI, and ultimately with lower BP.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to natural environments may help maintain normal BP in children, while built environment may increase children's BP. Outdoor play and less adiposity in greener areas may mediate some of these associations. Evidence on air pollution and noise remains controversial and difficult to explain.

Prediction of occupational exposure limits for noise-induced non-auditory effects

There is a recent trend to place more emphasis on noise non-auditory effects. Despite its implications on health, there is a lack of recommendations for noise in occupational settings. This study aimed to present occupational exposure limits for noise-induced non-auditory effects in healthy males using empirical exposure-response regression models based on the data of laboratory and field considering the effective variables. To this end, the equivalent noise level was measured and recorded in four working settings including closed offices, open-plan offices, control rooms, and industrial workplaces during a normal working day. They were 65, 68, 73, and 80dB(A), respectively. In the laboratory, 31 healthy males were exposed to five noise conditions (four noisy conditions and one quiet) during 8 h and they were asked to perform the cognitive tests. In the field phase, 124 healthy males were also examined from four working settings in their workstations for 8 h. The psychophysiological parameters of the participants were recorded in both lab and field. The results indicated variations in mental responses at levels above 55dBA, and psychophysiological variations at levels above 70dB(A) in both phases. The findings also showed that the developed regression models could plausibly predict the noise-induced psychophysiological responses during exposure to noise levels; thus, they can be presented the likely exposure limits. Based on the results of the models, the levels <55dB(A) are likelihood of the acoustic comfort limit, and the levels ranged from 55 to 65dB(A) are the acoustic safe limits. The acoustic caution limit is the likelihood of the levels ranged from 65 to 75dB(A). The levels ranged from 75 to 80dB(A) are likely the action levels or control limits, and the occupational exposure limit are the probability of levels> 80dB(A).

Transportation noise exposure and cardiovascular mortality: 15-years of follow-up in a nationwide prospective cohort in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been associated with transportation noise. This nationwide cohort, with state-of-the-art exposure assessment, evaluates these associations by noise source.

METHODS

Road traffic, railway and aircraft noise for 2001 and 2011 were linked to 4.1 million adults in the Swiss National Cohort, accounting for address history. Mean noise exposure in 5-year periods was calculated. Time-varying Cox regression models, with age as timescale, were applied to all and cause-specific cardiovascular causes of death. Models included all three noise sources plus PM_2.5, adjusted for individual and spatial covariates. Nighttime noise events for all sources combined (expressed as intermittency ratio or number of events) were considered in sensitivity analyses. Absolute excess risk was calculated by multiplying deaths/100,000 person-years by the excess risk (hazard ratio-1) within each age/sex group.

RESULTS

During a 15-year follow-up, there were 277,506 CVD and 34,200 myocardial infarction (MI) deaths. Associations (hazard ratio; 95%-CIs) for road traffic, railway and aircraft noise and CVD mortality were 1.029 (1.024-1.034), 1.013 (1.010-1.017), and 1.003 (0.996-1.010) per 10 dB L_den, respectively. Associations for MI mortality were a respective 1.043 (1.029-1.058), 1.020 (1.010-1.030) and 1.040 (1.020-1.060) per 10 dB L_den. Blood pressure-related, ischemic heart disease, and all stroke mortality were significantly associated with road traffic and railway noise, while ischemic stroke mortality was associated with aircraft noise. Associations were mostly linear, often starting below 40 dB L_den for road traffic and railway noise. Higher levels of noise intermittency were also independently associated with each outcome. While the absolute number of deaths attributed to noise increased with age, the hazard ratios declined with age. Relative and absolute risk was higher in males compared to females.

CONCLUSION

Independent of air pollution, transportation noise exposure is associated with all and cause-specific CVD mortality, with effects starting below current guideline limits.

Association between occupational or environmental noise exposure and renal function among middle-aged and older Korean adults: a cross-sectional study

Exposure to occupational and environmental noise is closely linked to various auditory system diseases. Few studies have focused on the effect of noise exposure on the extra auditory system, especially the urinary system. We analyzed 17,154 participants aged 40–79 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2018. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess occupational or environmental noise exposure. Logistic regression was used to determine the differences in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on noise exposure characteristics. For participants with noise exposure, linear regression was performed to determine relationship of the noise exposure period and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In the noise exposure group, a higher CKD prevalence was associated with females who experienced long-term occupational noise (≥ 240 months) (adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11–6.66). An increase of one month of occupational noise exposure was associated with a 0.0106 mL/min/1.73 m² decrease in eGFR in females aged < 60 years. Overall, noise exposure may be a risk factor for reduced renal function, especially long-term occupational noise exposure. More precise studies should determine (1) the relationship between noise and renal function and (2) the underlying mechanisms.

Neighbourhood Walkability and Risk of Diabetes: Causal Relationship or Epidemiologic Association?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aim to evaluate whether the current literature supports (i) a causal relationship between neighbourhood walkability and risk of diabetes or instead (ii) a strictly epidemiologic association.

RECENT FINDINGS

Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have reported that neighbourhoods that are scored as having higher levels of walkability have lower rates of prevalent and incident diabetes, respectively. However, other studies have been inconclusive, with more nuanced findings suggesting that this association may be limited to particular demographic groups defined by age and socio-economics. Key factors limiting this literature include disparities in the measurement of walkability, the necessary reliance on observational study designs (recognizing the infeasibility of randomized controlled trials for addressing this question), and the difficulty of disentangling the potential concomitant effects of other components of the built environment. At this time, causality cannot be ascertained in the relationship between neighbourhood walkability and risk of diabetes.

Selected Aspects of Sustainable Mobility Reveals Implementable Approaches and Conceivable Actions

The transportation sector plays a prominent role in driving the economy of any given nation. However, with the recent tensions arising in and around the transportation sector, sustainable mobility concepts have evolved. However, it is quite unclear whether sustainable mobility is feasible and exhibits economic returns, environmental benefits, and societal advantages. Hence, taking into account the environmental, economic, and social impact, and technical possibilities, this study intends to analyse sustainable mobility in relation to economic returns, environmental benefits and societal advantages using bibliometric analysis. For this study, we considered two decades of research, from 2001 to 2021. An in-depth search was performed on articles generated in the last two decades to assess the state of the literature on sustainable mobility. The most reverent, frequently referenced papers and influential journals in the field of sustainable mobility were identified. The acquired findings highlight the most prominent publications, journals, and authors who have made significant contributions to sustainable mobility studies, as well as the sub-areas or themes linked to sustainable mobility. Overall, the analysis discovered current paradigms, significant research topics, and a relationship between the domains of sustainable mobility studies. Meanwhile, this study also demonstrates advancements in the primary themes and sub-areas during the previous 20 years and alterations in future research fields. In addition, this study identified the promotion of rapid-reliable-safe-convenient (RRSC) transportation services, reduction in urban car traffic, and support to low transportation demand as the critical steps that require immediate attention in order to build a sustainable mobility future. We also observed that hydrogen would be a promising fuel and potential technology for the future mobility sector in the post-COVID era.

Urban Noise Exposure and Cardiometabolic Diseases: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Lisbon

Introduction: Urban noise pollution has been associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, existing observational studies relating to noise exposure and metabolic syndrome are based on non-generalizable cohorts. Lisbon remains a noisy city where this association has not been evaluated, and for this reason, we studied the relationship between exposure to urban noise and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension. Methods: Diurnal, evening and nocturnal noise emission levels were obtained for each street in the city from the Lisbon noise map. After allocation of all roads to the respective parish of Lisbon, the noise emission for each parish was averaged for each day period. The number of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension in 2014, 2015 and 2016 in each parish of Lisbon was obtained from the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Prevalence as a percentage of the population was determined using the number of residents in each parish determined in the 2011 population census. Spearman’s non-parametric correlation coefficient was used due to the non-normal distribution of the variables, at the 5% significance level (α = 0.05). Results: No correlations were found between daytime, afternoon or night-time noise exposure and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity or hypertension, although correlations were found between the cardiometabolic variables. Nevertheless, noise levels in Lisbon were above the legally established limit and the World Health Organization guidelines for environmental noise exposure in the European region. Conclusion: Our results do not agree with previous studies and should be faced as preliminary due to a strong biological plausibility for an association between noise exposure and cardiometabolic diseases and to encourage further studies, with longitudinal cohorts.

Investigating the effects of occupational and environmental noise on cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The present study aimed to use a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between occupational and non-occupational noise exposure expressed in various studies with cardiovascular disease. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study based on PRISMA checklist. In this study, the researchers searched five international databases of Medline/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ISI/web of knowledge, and Google Scholar. Search keywords included two categories noise and noise pollution, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to review and control the quality of the articles. After all screening stage 139 articles entered the final analysis. The results show that except for East African environmental studies and workplace studies in East Asia, Western Asia, and Northern Europe, there was a significant association between noise exposure and cardiovascular disease. Also, there was a significant difference between the intensity of sound and blood pressure in workers (OR = 1.28, CI 95%: 1.15-1.42, P < 0.001). Based on the results of environmental noise, there was a significant difference between ambient noise intensity and blood pressure (OR = 1.55, CI 95%: 1.53-1.57, P < 0.001). It can be concluded that it is very important to study and identify jobs or living environments with less than the recommended noise level and in addition to hearing aids that occur in over-standard exposures, such as cardiovascular disease.

The long-term effects of exposure to noise on the levels of thyroid hormones: A four-year repeated measures study

Animal studies have suggested that noise exposure can be associated with changes in the levels of thyroid hormones. However, no evidence is available that quantified this effect on humans. This study aimed to quantify the long-term effects of exposure to noise and its different frequencies on thyroid hormone levels. A four-year repeated measures study was performed among male workers of a thermal power plant industry from 2016 to 2020. Overall, 1032 observations were examined. To determine exposure to noise for each participant, the 8-hour equivalent sound pressure levels (Leq) were measured at weighting channels of Z, A, and C for an octave-band including low (31.5, 63, 125 Hz), middle (250,500, and 1000 Hz), and high (2, 4, 8 kHz) frequency noises. The fasting blood samples were also taken to determine thyroid hormone levels (TSH, Thyroid-stimulating hormone; T4, Thyroxine; T3, Triiodothyronine). The mixed-effects linear regression was applied to specify the percent changes in the levels of thyroid hormones. The prevent changes (95% confidence interval) of T4, T3, and TSH levels per a 10-dB increase in Leq based on the full adjusted model were estimated -0.90 (-1.68, -0.11), -0.70 (-1.44, 0.05), and 3.94 (0.58, 7.40), respectively. The highest percent changes in the T4 and TSH hormones were identified at 500 Hz (percent change = -1.08 and 95% CI = -1.93, -0.23) and with little difference at 1 (percent change = 4.73 and 95% CI = 0.91, 8.70) and 2 kHz (percent change = 4.72 and 95% CI = 1.13, 8.52) frequencies, correspondingly. Our findings indicated that long-term noise exposure may be associated with changes in the levels of thyroid hormones. Although more studies are warranted, noise-induced thyroid dysfunction may play a significant role in the biological pathways of the effects of noise on the human body.