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Noise pollution: non-auditory effects on health
Stephen A Stansfeld1, Mark P Matheson
1Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Building, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK. S.A.Stansfeld@qmul.ac.uk
British Medical Bulletin
|February 6, 2004
Summary
Environmental noise, from traffic to industry, impacts health. While adaptation occurs in field settings, noise can affect sleep, performance, and increase annoyance, with potential links to hypertension and psychological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Noise is a pervasive environmental stressor originating from transport, industry, and residential areas.
- While laboratory studies show sleep disturbance, field studies indicate adaptation to environmental noise.
- Noise exposure is linked to various adverse health outcomes, including annoyance, impaired cognitive function, and potential cardiovascular effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted impacts of environmental noise exposure on human health and well-being.
- To examine the relationship between noise and physiological responses, cognitive performance, and psychological symptoms.
- To identify knowledge gaps and suggest future research directions in noise and health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on occupational and environmental noise exposure.
- Analysis of research on noise effects in laboratory and field settings.
- Examination of epidemiological data linking noise to cardiovascular disease, psychological symptoms, and physiological markers.
Main Results:
- Noise interferes with complex tasks, social behavior, and causes annoyance.
- Occupational and environmental noise exposure are associated with hypertension and raised catecholamine secretion.
- Chronic aircraft noise in children is linked to impaired reading comprehension, memory, and potentially elevated blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Environmental noise significantly impacts human health, affecting sleep, cognition, and psychological well-being.
- Further research is needed to understand coping mechanisms and the long-term health consequences of noise adaptation.
- Noise exposure warrants attention for its role in public health, particularly concerning cardiovascular and cognitive health.