Long-term transportation noise exposure and incidence of ischaemic heart disease and stroke: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence from longitudinal studies on transportation noise from different sources and development of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. OBJECTIVES: This cohort study assessed associations between exposure to noise from road traffic, railway or aircraft and incidence of IHD and stroke. METHODS: In a cohort of 20 012 individuals from Stockholm County, we estimated long-term residential exposure to road traffic, railway and aircraft noise. National Patient and Cause-of-Death Registers were used to identify IHD and stroke events. Information on risk factors was obtained from questionnaires and registers. Adjusted HR for cardiovascular outcomes related to source-specific noise exposure were computed using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: No clear or consistent associations were observed between transportation noise and incidence of IHD or stroke. However, noise exposure from road traffic and aircraft was related to IHD incidence in women, with HR of 1.11 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.22) and 1.25 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.44) per 10 dB Lden, respectively. For both sexes taken together, we observed a particularly high risk of IHD in those exposed to all three transportation noise sources at≥45 dB Lden, with a HR of 1.57 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.32), and a similar tendency for stroke (HR 1.42; 95% CI 0.87 to 2.32). CONCLUSION: No overall associations were observed between transportation noise exposure and incidence of IHD or stroke. However, there appeared to be an increased risk of IHD in women exposed to road traffic or aircraft noise as well as in those exposed to multiple sources of transportation noise.

Transportation noise and incidence of hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The evidence on exposure to transportation noise and development of hypertension is inconclusive, mostly because of a lack of high quality studies of longitudinal design. OBJECTIVES: This cohort study aimed at investigating the association between exposure to road traffic, railway or aircraft noise and incidence of hypertension. We also assessed effects of varying lengths of exposure as well as of multiple sources of exposure. METHODS: Based on the residential histories of a cohort of 4854 men and women from Stockholm County, we estimated the residential exposure to road traffic, railway and aircraft noise in 1, 5 and 10 year time-periods. Hypertension was assessed by blood pressure measurements, information from questionnaires and hospital diagnoses. Extensive information on potential confounders was available from repeated questionnaires and registers. Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of hypertension related to noise exposure was computed from Cox regression models. RESULTS: We observed a positive association between aircraft noise exposure and incidence of hypertension with a HR of 1.16 (95% CI 1.08-1.24) per 10 dB Lden 5 years preceding the event. No clear differences in risk were indicated between the three exposure time windows. Road traffic and railway noise were not associated with incidence of hypertension during any of the exposure periods. There appeared to be a particularly high risk of hypertension among persons exposed to both aircraft and road traffic noise ≥45 dB Lden with an HR of 1.39 (95% CI 1.14-1.70). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to aircraft noise may result in increased risk of hypertension.

Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise in Relation to Development of Obesity­a Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to transportation noise is widespread and has been associated with obesity in some studies. However, the evidence from longitudinal studies is limited and little is known about effects of combined exposure to different noise sources. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this longitudinal study was to estimate the association between exposure to noise from road traffic, railways, or aircraft and the development of obesity markers. METHODS: We assessed individual long-term exposure to road traffic, railway, and aircraft noise based on residential histories in a cohort of 5,184 men and women from Stockholm County. Noise levels were estimated at the most exposed façade of each dwelling. Waist circumference, weight, and height were measured at recruitment and after an average of 8.9 y of follow-up. Extensive information on potential confounders was available from repeated questionnaires and registers. RESULTS: Waist circumference increased 0.04 cm/y (95% CI: 0.02, 0.06) and 0.16 cm/y (95% CI: 0.14, 0.17) per 10 dB Lden in relation to road traffic and aircraft noise, respectively. No corresponding association was seen for railway noise. Weight gain was only related to aircraft noise exposure. A similar pattern occurred for incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of central obesity and overweight. The IRR of central obesity increased from 1.22 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.39) in those exposed to only one source of transportation noise to 2.26 (95% CI: 1.55, 3.29) among those exposed to all three sources. CONCLUSION: Our results link transportation noise exposure to development of obesity and suggest that combined exposure from different sources may be particularly harmful. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1910.