Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Behavioral Problems in 7-Year-Old Children: A Cohort Study
Dorrit Hjortebjerg1, Anne Marie Nybo Andersen, Jeppe Schultz Christensen
1Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Childhood exposure to road traffic noise is linked to increased behavioral problems, especially hyperactivity and inattention. This study highlights potential risks of noise pollution on children's development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Child Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Traffic noise exposure is linked to adverse neuropsychological effects in children.
- Previous findings on traffic noise and child behavioral problems are inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between residential road traffic noise exposure and behavioral problems in 7-year-old children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 46,940 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort.
- Modeled road traffic noise (Lden) at residential addresses from conception to age 7.
- Assessed behavioral problems using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and analyzed associations via regression.
Main Results:
- A 10-dB increase in noise exposure from birth to age 7 correlated with a 7% increase in total difficulties.
- Significant increases were observed in borderline/abnormal hyperactivity/inattention (5-9%) and abnormal conduct/peer problems (5-6%).
- Noise exposure during pregnancy showed no association with behavioral problems at age 7.
Conclusions:
- Residential road traffic noise during early childhood may be associated with behavioral problems.
- Hyperactivity/inattention symptoms appear particularly linked to early childhood noise exposure.
Background:
Exposure to traffic noise has been associated with adverse effects on neuropsychological outcomes in children, but findings with regard to behavioral problems are inconsistent.
Objective:
We investigated whether residential road traffic noise exposure is associated with behavioral problems in 7-year-old children.
Methods:
We identified 46,940 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort with complete information on behavioral problems at 7 years of age and complete address history from conception to 7 years of age. Road traffic noise (Lden) was modeled at all present and historical addresses. Behavioral problems were assessed by the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Associations between pregnancy and childhood exposure to noise and behavioral problems were analyzed by multinomial or logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounders.
Results:
A 10-dB increase in average time-weighted road traffic noise exposure from birth to 7 years of age was associated with a 7% increase (95% CI: 1.00, 1.14) in abnormal versus normal total difficulties scores; 5% (95% CI: 1.00, 1.10) and 9% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.18) increases in borderline and abnormal hyperactivity/inattention subscale scores, respectively; and 5% (95% CI: 0.98, 1.14) and 6% (95% CI: 0.99, 1.12) increases in abnormal conduct problem and peer relationship problem subscale scores, respectively. Exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy was not associated with child behavioral problems at 7 years of age.
Conclusions:
Residential road traffic noise in early childhood may be associated with behavioral problems, particularly hyperactivity/inattention symptoms.
