Traffic noise hurts

The rumbling of cars, trucks and trains isn't just annoying, it can raise your blood pressure. A study appearing today in the journal Environmental Health found that people exposed to high levels of noise from roads near their homes are more likely to report suffering from chronic hypertension.

"Road traffic is the most important source of community noise," said the lead author of the study, Theo Bodin, from Lund University Hospital, Sweden, in a news release. "We found that exposure above 60 decibels was associated with high blood pressure among the relatively young and middle-aged, an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke."

The researchers surveyed more than 24,000 adults living in Sweden. Based on the participants' home addresses, information was obtained about average road noise at their homes. The study found a modest link between hypertension and average traffic noise between 45 and 65 decibels. But the link grew stronger with higher levels of noise. The risk of hypertension was highest in relatively young or middle-aged people, whereas no effects were seen in the oldest age group.

Many urban dwellers experience traffic noise levels of 55 decibels or more, the authors note. And those numbers are growing.

-- Shari Roan

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[mark]

In California, the CHP has encouraged the removal of all but the most rudimentary mufflers from motorcycles and trucks. They justify additional noise emitted as an additional safety measure for motorcycle riders. The fact that these vehicles are operated 24 hours a day and can travel through residential neighborhoods creating sound at rock concert levels, does not seem to deter this policy. Yes, there are laws on the books to cap the number of decibels, but these are only enforced on new vehicles. I hope that someone reads this who can do something about it. I tire of wearing hearing protection to achieve and maintain sleep.

[Lisa Bartnelli]

Its pure common sense that traffic noise is hard on human psychology.

You don't see any of the city government "planning department" staff nor bureaucrats living on busy, noisy streets.

The only people you see living on noisy streets are people who can't afford to move.

The bottom line? Government bureaucrats live a cozy, quiet life in THEIR neighborhoods while issuing building permits by the millions for areas subject to unacceptable noise levels. The low income people suffer while the bureaucrats do nothing.

Solution? An EASY step would be to require a setback of homes on "feeder" streets or next to RR tracks or freeways to have twice or three times the setback from the noise generating source than homes on quiet streets. Oh, but the government "planners" would claim that such a solution would be too expensive for most buyers due to the added land use. THEN DON'T ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS AT ALL WHERE THE HOMES ARE CLOSE TO THE NOISE LEVELS. REQUIRE A FEEDER STREET INTO AN AREA WITHOUT ALLOWING HOMES ON THAT FEEDER STREET.

[Norm from Kansas]

Motorcycles and trucks without mufflers are the biggest cause of loud noise that affects those that live near and not necessarily adjacent to busy streets. This could be easily handled if law enforcemtn paid attention.

Studies have shown that motorcycles with modified exhaust systems are over represented in traffic accidents. One reason is they can't hear horns or sirens, the other is (I think) to make loud noise they have to wrap up the engine and drive faster.

Asphalt streets are quiter than concrete.