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Maljaee SS, Khadem Sameni M, Ahmadi M. Effects of railway noise and vibrations on dissatisfaction of residents: case study of Iran. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 2022; 26:1-31. [PMID: 36337835 PMCID: PMC9628353 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02718-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the effects of noise and vibrations caused by railways on the lives of residents around the railways in districts 17 and 18 of Tehran, the capital of Iran which amounts to about 700,000 people, are investigated. In the first stage the actual level of noise was measured at various points which showed above standard levels. Afterward, the authors developed a questionnaire and the survey was conducted from 376 residents. The findings of this study show that the most important factor for the residents adjacent to the railway line is the need for action by the country's railway authorities to reduce and control the adverse effects of noise and vibration. Also, the analysis of inferential statistics performed by chi-square test shows that the variables of gender and proximity of residence or workplace or both to the railway do not affect any of the railway noise or vibration dissatisfaction. The age variable also has no effect on noise dissatisfaction but does impact on vibration. Finally, distance from the railway affects both disaffection from noise and vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Sara Maljaee
- School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Hengam St., Narmak, Tehran, 13114-16846 Iran
| | - Melody Khadem Sameni
- School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Hengam St., Narmak, Tehran, 13114-16846 Iran
| | - Mina Ahmadi
- School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Hengam St., Narmak, Tehran, 13114-16846 Iran
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Sun X, Ma M, Jiang B, Cao R. Ground vibration from freight railway: environmental impact and potential mitigation measure at propagation path. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:44364-44377. [PMID: 35129748 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18955-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The freight train-induced vibrations and noise generate increasing environmental problems owing to its heavier axle loads and longer pass-by duration. To develop useful mitigation measures, the vibration characteristic induced by this type of rail transportation needs to be better learned. In the present work, firstly, the in situ measurements were carried out on two railway lines which were used for mixed freight and passenger trains. Both the track vibrations and ground vibrations resulted from different train types were measured and compared. Then, based on the dominant frequencies of ground vibrations from experimental results, the mitigation measure of periodic piles was proposed as a mitigation measure by impeding propagation. The periodic theory of solid-state physics was introduced and three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) simulation was employed to analyse the vibration reduction performance of periodic piles, while the attenuation zone (AZ) of the piles was also calculated. The measurement results indicate that the freight train can generate a larger level of vibrations on both the track structure and ground at the near field, especially below 10 Hz. Even though the speed of freight trains is as low as 40-55 km/h, the vibration exposure level (VEL) is higher than normal passenger trains (80-90 km/h) and EMU trains (120 km/h). The simulation results show that the proposed solution of installing periodic piles at the propagation path raises the positive influence on vibration reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Sun
- School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Meng Ma
- School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Bolong Jiang
- China Railway Design Corporation, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Rongning Cao
- School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
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Bhuiyan MHU, Fard M, Robinson SR. Effects of whole-body vibration on driver drowsiness: A review. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2022; 81:175-189. [PMID: 35589288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Whole-body vibration has direct impacts on driver vigilance by increasing physical and cognitive stress on the driver, which leads to drowsiness, fatigue and road traffic accidents. Although sleep deprivation, sleep apnoea and alcohol consumption can also lead to driver drowsiness, exposure to steady vibration is the factor most readily controlled by changes to vehicle design, yet it has received comparatively less attention. METHODS This review investigated interrelationships between the various components of whole-body vibration and the physiological and cognitive parameters that lead to driver drowsiness, as well as the effects of vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, waveform and duration). Vibrations transmitted to the driver body from the vehicle floor and/or seat have been considered for this review, whereas hand-arm vibration, shocks, acute or transient vibration were excluded from consideration. RESULTS Drowsiness is affected by interactions between the frequency, amplitude, waveform and duration of the vibration. Under optimal conditions, whole-body vibration can induce significant drowsiness within 30 min. Low frequency whole-body vibrations, particularly vibrations of 4-10 Hz, are most effective at inducing drowsiness. This review notes some limitations of current studies and suggests directions for future research. CONCLUSIONS This review demonstrated a strong causal link exists between whole-body vibration and driver drowsiness. Since driver drowsiness has been established to be a significant contributor to motor vehicle accidents, research is needed to identify ways to minimise the components of whole-body vibration that contribute to drowsiness, as well as devising more effective ways to counteract drowsiness. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS By raising awareness of the vibrational factors that contribute to drowsiness, manufacturers will be prompted to design vehicles that reduce the influence of these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamad Fard
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen R Robinson
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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Yakubson KI. Prospects for Using Hydrogen in Various Branches of the World Economy as One of the Directions of Its Decarbonization. RUSS J APPL CHEM+ 2022. [PMCID: PMC9417091 DOI: 10.1134/s1070427222030016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. I. Yakubson
- Institute of Oil and Gas Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119333 Moscow, Russia
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Gabinet NM, Shama H, Portnov BA. Using mobile phones as light at night and noise measurement instruments: a validation test in real world conditions. Chronobiol Int 2021; 39:26-44. [PMID: 34465262 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2021.1964520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to noise from road traffic and industries is known to be linked to various health dysfunctions, including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and hearing loss. Exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) is also increasingly recognized as being associated with ecosystem damage and various illnesses, including cancers, excessive weight gain and sleep disorders. However, measuring and monitoring these environmental risk factors by professional equipment are laborious and expensive, which impede large-scale research and various citizen science initiatives. In this study, we test a possibility that reliable noise and ALAN exposure estimates can be gathered using smartphones (SPs) sensors. To verify this assumption, we develop a standardized testing protocol, and use Andro-Sensor app, installed on three different Samsung Galaxy SPs - S7, S20FE5G, and SM520F, - to perform measurements of ALAN and noise in real-world conditions while comparing these measurements with measurements performed by professional (type 2) equipment - SL814 for noise and LX-1330B for illumination. The analysis of 3450 measurements, performed in two different locations in Israel, reveals that the SPs measurements and measurements performed by control instruments correlate strongly for noise (r = 0.76-0.94) and are nearly identical for ALAN (r = 0.998-0.999). The association between the two types of measurements is also found to be close to linear, with the slope of the trend line being close to 45° for ALAN and varying between 30° and 45° for noise, depending on the SPs used. Our conclusion is that the level of accuracy of ALAN measurements by SPs is greater for ALAN than for noise, which can make SPs a useful tool for large-scale ALAN studies that do not require the accuracy of professional instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahum M Gabinet
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hassan Shama
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Boris A Portnov
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Petri D, Licitra G, Vigotti MA, Fredianelli L. Effects of Exposure to Road, Railway, Airport and Recreational Noise on Blood Pressure and Hypertension. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179145. [PMID: 34501735 PMCID: PMC8431620 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Noise is one of the most diffused environmental stressors affecting modern life. As such, the scientific community is committed to studying the main emission and transmission mechanisms aiming at reducing citizens' exposure, but is also actively studying the effects that noise has on health. However, scientific literature lacks data on multiple sources of noise and cardiovascular outcomes. The present cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the impact that different types of noise source (road, railway, airport and recreational) in an urban context have on blood pressure variations and hypertension. 517 citizens of Pisa, Italy, were subjected to a structured questionnaire and five measures of blood pressure in one day. Participants were living in the same building for at least 5 years, were aged from 37 to 72 years old and were exposed to one or more noise sources among air traffic, road traffic, railway and recreational noise. Logistic and multivariate linear regression models have been applied in order to assess the association between exposures and health outcomes. The analyses showed that prevalence of high levels of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is consistent with an increase of 5 dB (A) of night-time noise (β = 0.50 95% CI: 0.18-0.81). Furthermore, increased DBP is also positively associated with more noise sensitive subjects, older than 65 years old, without domestic noise protection, or who never close windows. Among the various noise sources, railway noise was found to be the most associated with DBP (β = 0.68; 95% CI: -1.36, 2.72). The obtained relation between DBP and night-time noise levels reinforces current knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Petri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.P.); (M.A.V.)
| | - Gaetano Licitra
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (L.F.)
| | - Maria Angela Vigotti
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.P.); (M.A.V.)
- Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Fredianelli
- IPool S.r.l., Via Cocchi 7, 56121 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (L.F.)
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Gabinet NM, Portnov BA. Assessing the impacts of ALAN and noise proxies on sleep duration and quality: evidence from a nation-wide survey in Israel. Chronobiol Int 2021; 38:638-658. [PMID: 33612016 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2021.1886111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Sleep is a reversible state that sustains physiological and psychological processes in humans. As well established, individual-level factors, such as stress, smoking, drugs, and caffeine intake, reduce sleep duration and quality. However, studies of the effect of environmental risk factors, such as artificial light at night (ALAN) and noise, on sleep have been infrequent. Using records obtained from the 2017 Social Survey of Israel and combined with ALAN satellite data and various proxies for traffic noise, the present study aimed to determine how the combination of ALAN and traffic noise impact sleep duration and quality in urban areas. The increase of road density at the place of residence reduces average sleep duration by ~4.5% (~18 min.) and increases the frequency of reported sleep difficulties by ~3.5%, all other factors held equal. Similarly, an increase in ALAN exposure reduces average sleep duration by ~3% (~12 min) and increases the frequency of reported sleep difficulties by ~11%. The study also reveals a significant interaction between the two environmental risk factors in question, with the adverse impact of ALAN on sleep quality especially pronounced in high noise exposure areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahum M Gabinet
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Boris A Portnov
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Turner JG. Noise and Vibration in the Vivarium: Recommendations for Developing a Measurement Plan. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020; 59:665-672. [PMID: 32928338 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-19-000131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Noise and vibration are present in every room of laboratory animal vivaria, with great variability from room-to-room and facility-to-facility. Such stimuli are rarely measured. As a result, the many stakeholders involved in biomedical research, (for example, funding agencies, construction personnel, equipment manufacturers, animal facility administrators, veterinarians, technicians, and scientists) have little awareness of the effects such stimuli may have on their research animals. Noise and vibration present a potential source of unrecognized animal distress, and a significant, uncontrolled and confounding variable in scientific studies. Unmeasured and unrecognized noise and vibration can therefore undermine the fundamental goals of the 3R's to refine animal models and reduce the number of animals used in biomedical and behavioral research. This overview serves to highlight the scope of this problem and proposes a series of recommended practices to limit its negative effects on research animals and the scientific data derived from them. These practices consist of developing a written plan for managing noise and vibration concerns, assessment of noise and vibration both annually and whenever unexpected changes in the facility or animals are observed, and for maintaining levels of chronic noise below thresholds that might cause animal welfare concerns or disruptions in ongoing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy G Turner
- Department of Psychology, Illinois College, Jacksonville, Illinois; Turner Scientific, Jacksonville, Illinois; , ,
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Association between Occupational Noise and Vibration Exposure and Insomnia among Workers in Korea. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10040046. [PMID: 32331422 PMCID: PMC7235849 DOI: 10.3390/life10040046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The effect of noise and vibration exposure on disturbed sleep has been investigated in the past. However, this study was carried out to investigate the relationship between workplace noise and vibration exposure with insomnia amongst representative Korean workers, both simultaneously and separately. Methods: Our research analyzed an overall population of 30,837 workers aged 15 years or older using data derived from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted in 2017. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were performed to investigate baseline characteristics and to quantify the association between workplace exposure to noise and vibration with insomnia. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S) were calculated to measure interactions between simultaneous noise and vibration exposure with insomnia. Results: The prevalence of those who reported insomnia was 18.3% of the general population. Among men and women, insomnia in those who were exposed to noise only was 13.9% and 18.3%, respectively, and in those who were exposed to vibration only, it was 23.9% in males and 26.4% in females. Insomnia in those who were exposed to both noise and vibration simultaneously was 20.5% and 41.2% in men and women, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of insomnia due to noise exposure was 1.10 and 1.07 in men and women, respectively. OR of vibration exposure was 1.84 in men and 1.58 in women. For noise plus vibration exposure OR was 1.83 in men and 3.14 in female workers, where the synergistic effect of noise and vibration exposure could be seen. The association between the varying degree of simultaneous noise plus vibration exposure with insomnia showed a dose–response relationship. The interaction measures showed a synergistic effect of simultaneous exposure in women but not in men. Conclusion: Our study revealed an association between occupational noise and vibration exposure and insomnia, both individually and simultaneously. Additional studies and research are required to further comprehend this relationship.
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10
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Nozoe K, Fukuda K, Kogure T, Shiino T, Asaoka S. Does upper-body elevation affect sleepiness and memories of hypnagogic images after short daytime naps? Conscious Cogn 2020; 80:102916. [PMID: 32200205 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the effects of a somatosensory stimulus on sleepiness and memories of hypnagogic imagery during short daytime naps. Participants experienced two daytime nap conditions: (1) a somatosensory stimulus was created by raising the upper part of the bed 20 min after turning off the light and (2) a somatosensory stimulus was not created; the angle of the upper part of the bed remained flat. Approximately 20 min and 30 s after turning off the light, participants were awakened and questioned regarding their subjective sleepiness and the presence or absence of hypnagogic imagery. Results showed that subjective sleepiness following the nap was reduced only in the raised condition, and hypnagogic imagery in the raised condition was lower than that in the flat condition. These findings may provide insight on developing new techniques for improving subjective conditions after awakening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Nozoe
- Sleep Research Institute, Edogawa University, 474 Komagi, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba 270-0198, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Fukuda
- Sleep Research Institute, Edogawa University, 474 Komagi, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba 270-0198, Japan; College of Sociology, Edogawa University, 474 Komagi, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba 270-0198, Japan.
| | - Takamasa Kogure
- Sleep Research Institute, Edogawa University, 474 Komagi, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba 270-0198, Japan; Paramount Bed Sleep Research Laboratory, PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD 2-14-5 Higahisuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0074, Japan.
| | - Toshihide Shiino
- Paramount Bed Sleep Research Laboratory, PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD 2-14-5 Higahisuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0074, Japan.
| | - Shoichi Asaoka
- Sleep Research Institute, Edogawa University, 474 Komagi, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba 270-0198, Japan; College of Sociology, Edogawa University, 474 Komagi, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba 270-0198, Japan.
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Blair BD, Brindley S, Dinkeloo E, McKenzie LM, Adgate JL. Residential noise from nearby oil and gas well construction and drilling. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2018; 28:538-547. [PMID: 29749380 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-018-0039-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Public concern about oil and gas (O&G) operations in residential areas is substantial. Noise from construction and drilling related to O&G operations may be greater than other phases of O&G operations; yet the impacts of audible and low-frequency noise during these operations are not extensively explored nor the effects on health well understood. This study documents the noise levels at a multi-well O&G well pad during construction and drilling in a residential area in Colorado. A-weighted (dBA) and C-weighted (dBC) noise measurements were collected at four locations during development over a 3-month period. The maximum 1-min equivalent continuous sound levels over a 1-month period were 60.2 dBA and 80.0 dBC. Overall, 41.1% of daytime and 23.6% of nighttime dBA 1-min equivalent continuous noise measurements were found to exceed 50 dBA, and 97.5% of daytime and 98.3% of nighttime measurements were found to exceed 60 dBC. Noise levels exceeding 50 dBA or 60 dBC may cause annoyance and be detrimental to health; thus, these noise levels have the potential to impact health and noise levels and associated health effects warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Blair
- Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eero Dinkeloo
- Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lisa M McKenzie
- Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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12
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Thermal and Vibration Comfort Analysis of a Nearly Zero-Energy Building in Poland. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10103774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Placing emphasis exclusively on minimizing energy consumption in low-energy buildings can adversely impact thermal comfort and vibrational comfort. Vibrational comfort is extremely important in building design, especially within mining or seismically active territories, and due to car transportation in city centers. In this article, a new approach to designing passive buildings and nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) in Poland is proposed, which has a strong emphasis on the necessity of providing comfort of use in passive houses and NZEBs. Additionally, vibration comfort provisions in the design process are examined. The research gap that will be addressed by the research presented in this article is to extend the comfort conditions of passive buildings and NZEBs into the area of vibratory comfort. The second goal of the project is to determine the impact of solar control systems on the conditions of thermal comfort. The conclusions from the research will allow for the optimization of design assumptions for passive houses and NZEBs. The conclusions from the tests can serve as the basis for introducing appropriate construction law requirements in Poland. The results of the research, which are presented in the article, indicate that the technical requirements that are applicable in Poland ought to include requirements regarding the use of sun blinds in NZEBs and passive buildings (not only as recommendations). In particular, the use of apertures on the south side ought to be mandated. The article can also be the basis for introducing the requirements of vibration comfort to the PN–EN 15251:2012 “Indoor environmental input parameters for design and assessment of energy performance of buildings addressing indoor air quality, thermal environment, lighting and acoustics” standard, which is the basis for designing the parameters of the internal environment for buildings.
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Annoyance in Response to Vibrations from Railways. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15091887. [PMID: 30200315 PMCID: PMC6163999 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rail transport is a key stepping stone in the EU’s transport policy and is pinpointed for investment and growth over the coming decades. This expanding infrastructure implies increased exposure to environmental stressors, such as noise and ground-borne vibrations. Little is known about the health impacts of exposure to these vibrations. The aim of this paper is to examine the association between annoyance from rail vibrations and the distance of residential dwelling from the railway. It reports the first results of a large epidemiological study, EpiVib, which was designed to investigate the long-term health effects of exposure to rail vibrations. The first part of this study examines a self-reported questionnaire. In total, 6894 individuals aged between 18 and 80 living within 1 km of a railway in west Sweden participated. Results presented here examine the association between distance to the railway and annoyance from vibrations and are stratified by train type. A positive association between closer distance and increased annoyance is seen. After adjustment for important modifiers, results showed that vibrations from freight trains and maintenance operations are reported to be moderately and highly annoying at distances of up to 400 m from the railway and diesel up to 300 m. Vibration from passenger and fast trains are significantly annoying up to 200 m from the track. Vibration from freight trains and maintenance operations were considered highly annoying up to 300 m from the track, diesel up to 400 m. Vibration from passenger and fast trains are not reported to be highly annoying after adjustment. Heavier, slower moving locomotives, in the form of diesel and freight trains, appear to be the source of annoyance at distances further from the railway compared to passenger and fast trains. This has implications in terms of property, transport, and infrastructure planning.
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14
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Basner M, McGuire S. WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: A Systematic Review on Environmental Noise and Effects on Sleep. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E519. [PMID: 29538344 PMCID: PMC5877064 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the quality of available evidence on the effects of environmental noise exposure on sleep a systematic review was conducted. The databases PSYCINFO, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science and the TNO Repository were searched for non-laboratory studies on the effects of environmental noise on sleep with measured or predicted noise levels and published in or after the year 2000. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria. Seventy four studies predominately conducted between 2000 and 2015 were included in the review. A meta-analysis of surveys linking road, rail, and aircraft noise exposure to self-reports of sleep disturbance was conducted. The odds ratio for the percent highly sleep disturbed for a 10 dB increase in Lnight was significant for aircraft (1.94; 95% CI 1.61-2.3), road (2.13; 95% CI 1.82-2.48), and rail (3.06; 95% CI 2.38-3.93) noise when the question referred to noise, but non-significant for aircraft (1.17; 95% CI 0.54-2.53), road (1.09; 95% CI 0.94-1.27), and rail (1.27; 95% CI 0.89-1.81) noise when the question did not refer to noise. A pooled analysis of polysomnographic studies on the acute effects of transportation noise on sleep was also conducted and the unadjusted odds ratio for the probability of awakening for a 10 dBA increase in the indoor Lmax was significant for aircraft (1.35; 95% CI 1.22-1.50), road (1.36; 95% CI 1.19-1.55), and rail (1.35; 95% CI 1.21-1.52) noise. Due to a limited number of studies and the use of different outcome measures, a narrative review only was conducted for motility, cardiac and blood pressure outcomes, and for children's sleep. The effect of wind turbine and hospital noise on sleep was also assessed. Based on the available evidence, transportation noise affects objectively measured sleep physiology and subjectively assessed sleep disturbance in adults. For other outcome measures and noise sources the examined evidence was conflicting or only emerging. According to GRADE criteria, the quality of the evidence was moderate for cortical awakenings and self-reported sleep disturbance (for questions that referred to noise) induced by traffic noise, low for motility measures of traffic noise induced sleep disturbance, and very low for all other noise sources and investigated sleep outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Basner
- Division of Sleep and Chronobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Sarah McGuire
- Division of Sleep and Chronobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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15
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Clinical Effects, Exhaled Breath Condensate pH and Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Humans After Ethyl Acrylate Exposure. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 27161109 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Ethyl acrylate is an irritant known to affect the upper airways and eyes. An increase of the eye blink frequency in humans was observed during exposure to 5 ppm. Studies on the lower airways are scant and our study objective was the evaluation of pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC-pH) and nitric oxide in exhaled breath (FeNO) as markers of inflammation. Sixteen healthy volunteers were exposed for 4 h to ethyl acrylate at a concentration of 5 ppm and to sham (0.05 ppm) in an exposure laboratory. Clinical irritation symptoms, EBC-pH (at a pCO2 of 5.33 kPa) and FeNO were assessed before and after exposure. Differences after ethyl acrylate exposure were adjusted for those after sham exposure. 5 ppm ethyl acrylate induced clinical signs of local irritation in the nose and eyes, but not in lower airways. Exposure produced a subtle, but statistically significant, decrease in breathing frequency (1 breath/min; p = 0.017) and a lower EBC-pH (by 0.045 units; p = 0.037). Concerning FeNO, we did not observe significant changes compared to sham exposure. We conclude that local effects induced by 5 ppm ethyl acrylate consist of sensory irritation of eyes and nose. In addition, acute ethyl acrylate exposure to 5 ppm resulted in a net decrease of EBC-pH. Whether that can be interpreted in terms of additional lower airway irritation or already inflammatory alterations set in needs further investigations.
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El Aarbaoui T, Méline J, Brondeel R, Chaix B. Short-term association between personal exposure to noise and heart rate variability: The RECORD MultiSensor Study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 231:703-711. [PMID: 28850938 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies revealed long-term associations between noise exposure and cardiovascular health, but the underlying short-term mechanisms remain uncertain. OBJECTIVES To explore the concomitant and lagged short-term associations between personal exposure to noise and heart rate variability (HRV) in a real life setting in the Île-de-France region. METHODS The RECORD MultiSensor Study collected between July 2014 and June 2015 noise and heart rate data for 75 participants, aged 34-74 years, in their living environments for 7 days using a personal dosimeter and electrocardiography (ECG) sensor on the chest. HRV parameters and noise levels were calculated for 5-min windows. Short-term relationships between noise level and log-transformed HRV parameters were assessed using mixed effects models with a random intercept for participants and a temporal autocorrelation structure, adjusted for heart rate, physical activity (accelerometry), and short-term trends. RESULTS An increase by one dB(A) of A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (Leq) was associated with a 0.97% concomitant increase of the Standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN) (95% CI: 0.92, 1.02), of 2.08% of the Low frequency band power (LF) (95% CI: 1.97, 2.18), of 1.30% of the High frequency band power (HF) (95% CI: 1.17, 1.43), and of 1.16% of the LF/HF ratio (95% CI: 1.10, 1.23). The analysis of lagged exposures to noise adjusted for the concomitant exposure illustrates the dynamic of recovery of the autonomic nervous system. Non-linear associations were documented with all HRV parameters with the exception of HF. Piecewise regression revealed that the association was almost 6 times stronger below than above 65 Leq dB(A) for the SDNN and LF/HF ratio. CONCLUSION Personal noise exposure was found to be related to a concomitant increase of the overall HRV, with evidence of imbalance of the autonomic nervous system towards sympathetic activity, a pathway to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik El Aarbaoui
- Inserm, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France; EHESP School of Public Health, Rennes, France.
| | - Julie Méline
- Inserm, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France
| | - Ruben Brondeel
- Inserm, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France; EHESP School of Public Health, Rennes, France
| | - Basile Chaix
- Inserm, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis Team, Paris, France
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Croy I, Smith MG, Gidlöf-Gunnarsson A, Persson-Waye K. Optimal Questions for Sleep in Epidemiological Studies: Comparisons of Subjective and Objective Measures in Laboratory and Field Studies. Behav Sleep Med 2017; 15:466-482. [PMID: 27159152 DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2016.1163700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies on sleep often use questionnaires, and measurement of validity provides necessary guidance in selection of valid single sleep questions. Twenty-five items assessing different aspects of sleep, including overall sleep quality, specific sleep parameters, nocturnal restoration, and exposure-related questions, were tested. This involved coherence with objective polysomnographic (PSG) laboratory measurements of sleep in 47 participants and application of selected items under field conditions in over 3,000 participants. Items on overall sleep quality correlated significantly with PSG data. For specific sleep parameter questions, tiredness in the morning, time to fall asleep, difficulties to sleep and estimated number of awakenings were correlated to PSG data. Questions asking specifically about the effect of potential sleep disturbances correlated poorly with PSG data, but showed highest effects between environmental exposure (noise and vibration) and control nights in the laboratory and highest correlation with the dose of exposure in the field. In conclusion, healthy participants seem to be able to access their sleep reliably; and sleep questions asking about specific sleep parameters can be recommended for the assessment of sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Croy
- a Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy , Technische Universität Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | - Michael Gerard Smith
- b Occupational and Environmental Medicine , The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Anita Gidlöf-Gunnarsson
- c Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health , Örebro University , Örebro , Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson-Waye
- b Occupational and Environmental Medicine , The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
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Mehta RK, Peres SC, Kannan P, Rhee J, Shortz AE, Sam Mannan M. Comparison of objective and subjective operator fatigue assessment methods in offshore shiftwork. J Loss Prev Process Ind 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Smith MG, Croy I, Ögren M, Hammar O, Lindberg E, Persson Waye K. Physiological effects of railway vibration and noise on sleep. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 141:3262. [PMID: 28599531 PMCID: PMC5433882 DOI: 10.1121/1.4983302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This paper evaluates the relative contribution of vibration and noise from railway on physiological sleep outcomes. Vibration from railway freight often accompanies airborne noise, yet is almost totally absent in the existing literature. In an experimental investigation, 23 participants, each sleeping for six nights in the laboratory, were exposed to 36 simulated railway freight pass-bys per night with vibration alone (aWd,max = 0.0204 ms-2), noise alone (LAF,max = 49.8 dB), or both vibration and noise simultaneously. A fourth exposure night involved 52 pass-bys with concurrent vibration and noise. Sleep was measured with polysomnography. Cardiac activity was measured with electrocardiography. The probability of cortical arousals or awakenings was greater following all exposures, including vibration alone, than spontaneous reaction probability (p < 0.05). The effects of vibration exposure and noise exposure on changes of sleep stage and arousals were directly additive. Vibration and noise exposure both induced heart rate acceleration above spontaneously expected fluctuations at baseline. The results indicate that vibration and noise are processed in the brain separately yet in parallel, with both contributing towards the likelihood of sleep disruption. The findings show that vibration is of importance when considering the impact of railway freight on sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Smith
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mikael Ögren
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oscar Hammar
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Lindberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson Waye
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Analysis of Psychoacoustic and Vibration-Related Parameters to Track the Reasons for Health Complaints after the Introduction of New Tramways. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/app6120398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Gislason T, Bertelsen RJ, Real FG, Sigsgaard T, Franklin KA, Lindberg E, Janson C, Arnardottir ES, Hellgren J, Benediktsdottir B, Forsberg B, Johannessen A. Self-reported exposure to traffic pollution in relation to daytime sleepiness and habitual snoring: a questionnaire study in seven North-European cities. Sleep Med 2016; 24:93-99. [PMID: 27810192 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND Little is known about associations between traffic exposure and sleep disturbances. We examined if self-reported exposure to traffic is associated with habitual snoring and daytime sleepiness in a general population. METHODS In the RHINE III study, 12184 adults answered questions on sleep disturbances and traffic exposure. We analysed bedrooms near roads with traffic, bedrooms with traffic noise, and travelling regularly along busy roads as proxies for traffic exposures, using logistic regression. Adjustment factors were study centre, gender, age, smoking habits, educational level, body mass index, physical activity, obstructive sleep apnoea, and sleep duration. RESULTS One in ten lived near a busy road, 6% slept in a bedroom with traffic noise, and 11% travelled regularly along busy roads. Habitual snoring affected 25% and daytime sleepiness 21%. More men reported snoring and more women reported daytime sleepiness. Having a bedroom with traffic noise was associated with snoring (adjusted OR 1.29, [95% CI 1.12, 1.48]). For daytime sleepiness, on the other hand, bedroom with traffic noise and high exposure to traffic pollution have significant risk factors (adjusted ORs 1.46 [1.11, 1.92] and 1.65 [1.11, 2.45]). Results were consistent across study centres. CONCLUSIONS Daytime sleepiness is associated with traffic pollution and traffic noise, while habitual snoring is only associated with traffic noise. Self-reported traffic exposure should be taken into account when diagnosing and planning treatment for patients with sleep disturbances, because reducing noise and pollution exposure in the bedroom may have a beneficial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorarinn Gislason
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, Landspitali - National University Hospital of Iceland, Iceland
| | - Randi J Bertelsen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Karl A Franklin
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva Lindberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory-, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory-, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erna Sif Arnardottir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, Landspitali - National University Hospital of Iceland, Iceland
| | - Johan Hellgren
- Institute of Clinical Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bryndis Benediktsdottir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, Landspitali - National University Hospital of Iceland, Iceland
| | - Bertil Forsberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine/Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ane Johannessen
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Smith MG, Croy I, Hammar O, Persson Waye K. Vibration from freight trains fragments sleep: A polysomnographic study. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24717. [PMID: 27090401 PMCID: PMC4835753 DOI: 10.1038/srep24717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As the number of freight trains on railway networks increases, so does the potential for vibration exposure in dwellings nearby to freight railway lines. Nocturnal trains in particular are of particular importance since night-time exposure may interfere with sleep. The present work investigates the impact of vibration and noise from night-time freight trains on human sleep. In an experimental polysomnographic laboratory study, 24 young healthy volunteers with normal hearing were exposed to simulated freight pass-bys with vibration amplitudes of 0.7 and 1.4 mm/s either 20 or 36 times during the night. Stronger vibrations were associated with higher probabilities of event-related arousals and awakenings (p < 0.001), and sleep stage changes (p < 0.05). Sleep macrostructure was most affected in high vibration nights with 36 events, with increased wakefulness (p < 0.05), reduced continual slow wave sleep (p < 0.05), earlier awakenings (p < 0.05) and an overall increase in sleep stage changes (p < 0.05). Subjects reported sleep disturbance due to vibration (F(4,92) = 25.9, p < 0.001) and noise (F(4,92) = 25.9, p < 0.001), with the number of trains having an effect only for the 0.7 mm/s condition (p < 0.05). The findings show that combined vibration and noise from railway freight affects the natural rhythm of sleep, but extrapolation of significance for health outcomes should be approached with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Smith
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany
| | - Oscar Hammar
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson Waye
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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The Influence of Low-Frequency Noise Pollution on the Quality of Life and Place in Sustainable Cities: A Case Study from Northern Portugal. SUSTAINABILITY 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/su71013920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Basner M, Brink M, Bristow A, de Kluizenaar Y, Finegold L, Hong J, Janssen SA, Klaeboe R, Leroux T, Liebl A, Matsui T, Schwela D, Sliwinska-Kowalska M, Sörqvist P. ICBEN review of research on the biological effects of noise 2011-2014. Noise Health 2015; 17:57-82. [PMID: 25774609 PMCID: PMC4918662 DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.153373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The mandate of the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN) is to promote a high level of scientific research concerning all aspects of noise-induced effects on human beings and animals. In this review, ICBEN team chairs and co-chairs summarize relevant findings, publications, developments, and policies related to the biological effects of noise, with a focus on the period 2011-2014 and for the following topics: Noise-induced hearing loss; nonauditory effects of noise; effects of noise on performance and behavior; effects of noise on sleep; community response to noise; and interactions with other agents and contextual factors. Occupational settings and transport have been identified as the most prominent sources of noise that affect health. These reviews demonstrate that noise is a prevalent and often underestimated threat for both auditory and nonauditory health and that strategies for the prevention of noise and its associated negative health consequences are needed to promote public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Basner
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Sleep and Chronobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Huang HW, Zheng BL, Jiang L, Lin ZT, Zhang GB, Shen L, Xi XM. Effect of oral melatonin and wearing earplugs and eye masks on nocturnal sleep in healthy subjects in a simulated intensive care unit environment: which might be a more promising strategy for ICU sleep deprivation? CRITICAL CARE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CRITICAL CARE FORUM 2015; 19:124. [PMID: 25887528 PMCID: PMC4365553 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-015-0842-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Sleep deprivation is common in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Noise and light in the ICU and the reduction in plasma melatonin play the essential roles. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of simulated ICU noise and light on nocturnal sleep quality, and compare the effectiveness of melatonin and earplugs and eye masks on sleep quality in these conditions in healthy subjects. Methods This study was conducted in two parts. In part one, 40 healthy subjects slept under baseline night and simulated ICU noise and light (NL) by a cross-over design. In part two, 40 subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: NL, NL plus placebo (NLP), NL plus use of earplugs and eye masks (NLEE) and NL plus melatonin (NLM). 1 mg of oral melatonin or placebo was administered at 21:00 on four consecutive days in NLM and NLP. Earplugs and eye masks were made available in NLEE. The objective sleep quality was measured by polysomnography. Serum was analyzed for melatonin levels. Subjects rated their perceived sleep quality and anxiety levels. Results Subjects had shorter total sleep time (TST) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, longer sleep onset latency, more light sleep and awakening, poorer subjective sleep quality, higher anxiety level and lower serum melatonin level in NL night (P <0.05). NLEE had less awakenings and shorter sleep onset latency (P <0.05). NLM had longer TST and REM and shorter sleep onset latency (P <0.05). Compared with NLEE, NLM had fewer awakenings (P = 0.004). Both NLM and NLEE improved perceived sleep quality and anxiety level (P = 0.000), and NLM showed better than NLEE in perceived sleep quality (P = 0.01). Compared to baseline night, the serum melatonin levels were lower in NL night at every time point, and the average maximal serum melatonin concentration in NLM group was significantly greater than other groups (P <0.001). Conclusions Compared with earplugs and eye masks, melatonin improves sleep quality and serum melatonin levels better in healthy subjects exposed to simulated ICU noise and light. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-14005458. Registered 10 November 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Wei Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Fuxing Hospital, Capital Medical University, 20A Fu Xing Men Wai Da Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100038, P.R. China.
| | - Bo-Lu Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fuzhou Children's Hospital of Fujian Province, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350005, P.R. China.
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Fuxing Hospital, Capital Medical University, 20A Fu Xing Men Wai Da Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100038, P.R. China.
| | - Zong-Tong Lin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fuzhou Children's Hospital of Fujian Province, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Ba Yi Qi Zhong Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350005, P.R. China.
| | - Guo-Bin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Chongwen District, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China.
| | - Ling Shen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fuzhou Children's Hospital of Fujian Province, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Ba Yi Qi Zhong Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350005, P.R. China.
| | - Xiu-Ming Xi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Fuxing Hospital, Capital Medical University, 20A Fu Xing Men Wai Da Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100038, P.R. China.
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Gill SA, Job JR, Myers K, Naghshineh K, Vonhof MJ. Toward a broader characterization of anthropogenic noise and its effects on wildlife. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Hypotension and environmental noise: a replication study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:8661-88. [PMID: 25162707 PMCID: PMC4198985 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110908661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Up to now, traffic noise effect studies focused on hypertension as health outcome. Hypotension has not been considered as a potential health outcome although in experiments some people also responded to noise with decreases of blood pressure. Currently, the characteristics of these persons are not known and whether this down regulation of blood pressure is an experimental artifact, selection, or can also be observed in population studies is unanswered. In a cross-sectional replication study, we randomly sampled participants (age 20–75, N = 807) from circular areas (radius = 500 m) around 31 noise measurement sites from four noise exposure strata (35–44, 45–54, 55–64, >64 Leq, dBA). Repeated blood pressure measurements were available for a smaller sample (N = 570). Standardized information on socio-demographics, housing, life style and health was obtained by door to door visits including anthropometric measurements. Noise and air pollution exposure was assigned by GIS based on both calculation and measurements. Reported hypotension or hypotension medication past year was the main outcome studied. Exposure-effect relationships were modeled with multiple non-linear logistic regression techniques using separate noise estimations for total, highway and rail exposure. Reported hypotension was significantly associated with rail and total noise exposure and strongly modified by weather sensitivity. Reported hypotension medication showed associations of similar size with rail and total noise exposure without effect modification by weather sensitivity. The size of the associations in the smaller sample with BMI as additional covariate was similar. Other important cofactors (sex, age, BMI, health) and moderators (weather sensitivity, adjacent main roads and associated annoyance) need to be considered as indispensible part of the observed relationship. This study confirms a potential new noise effect pathway and discusses potential patho-physiological routes of actions.
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Persson Waye K, Elmenhorst EM, Croy I, Pedersen E. Improvement of intensive care unit sound environment and analyses of consequences on sleep: an experimental study. Sleep Med 2013; 14:1334-40. [PMID: 24095263 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Uninterrupted sleep is of vital importance for restoration and regaining health. In intensive care units (ICUs) where recovering and healing is crucial, patients' sleep often is fragmented and disturbed due to noise from activities from oneself, other patients, and alarms. The aim of our study was to explore if sleep could be improved by modifying the sound environment in a way that is practically feasible in ICUs. METHODS We studied the effects of originally recorded ICU noise and peak reduced ICU noise on sleep in healthy male participants. Sleep was registered with polysomnography (PSG) during four nights: one adaptation night, one reference (REF) night, and the two exposed nights with similar equivalent sound levels (47dB LAeq) but different maximum sound levels (56- vs 64-dB LAFmax). The participants answered questionnaires and saliva cortisol was sampled in the morning. RESULTS During ICU exposure nights, sleep was more fragmented with less slow-wave sleep (SWS), more arousals, and more time awake. The effects of reduced maximum sound level were minor. The subjective data supported the polysomnographic findings, though cortisol levels were not significantly affected by the exposure conditions. CONCLUSIONS Noise in ICUs impairs sleep and the reduction of maximal A-weighted levels from 64 to 56dB is not enough to have a clear improved effect on sleep quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Persson Waye
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gothenburg University, Medicinaregatan 16, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
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Croy I, Smith MG, Waye KP. Effects of train noise and vibration on human heart rate during sleep: an experimental study. BMJ Open 2013; 3:bmjopen-2013-002655. [PMID: 23793667 PMCID: PMC3657678 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transportation of goods on railways is increasing and the majority of the increased numbers of freight trains run during the night. Transportation noise has adverse effects on sleep structure, affects the heart rate (HR) during sleep and may be linked to cardiovascular disease. Freight trains also generate vibration and little is known regarding the impact of vibration on human sleep. A laboratory study was conducted to examine how a realistic nocturnal railway traffic scenario influences HR during sleep. DESIGN Case-control. SETTING Healthy participants. PARTICIPANTS 24 healthy volunteers (11 men, 13 women, 19-28 years) spent six consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. INTERVENTIONS All participants slept during one habituation night, one control and four experimental nights in which train noise and vibration were reproduced. In the experimental nights, 20 or 36 trains with low-vibration or high-vibration characteristics were presented. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Polysomnographical data and ECG were recorded. RESULTS The train exposure led to a significant change of HR within 1 min of exposure onset (p=0.002), characterised by an initial and a delayed increase of HR. The high-vibration condition provoked an average increase of at least 3 bpm per train in 79% of the participants. Cardiac responses were in general higher in the high-vibration condition than in the low-vibration condition (p=0.006). No significant effect of noise sensitivity and gender was revealed, although there was a tendency for men to exhibit stronger HR acceleration than women. CONCLUSIONS Freight trains provoke HR accelerations during sleep, and the vibration characteristics of the trains are of special importance. In the long term, this may affect cardiovascular functioning of persons living close to railways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Croy
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
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