Scientists have found a link between the noise of cars, dirty air and high blood pressure
If you constantly have to complain about the dirty air in your area, and the noise of cars outside the window, there is a risk that the encounter with hypertension in the future. That is the conclusion reached by researchers, who for nine years analyzed data more than 41 thousand people in five countries.
The results of this large-scale study published in the European Heart Journal on 25 October. They showed that every hundredth person living in a dirty area of developing hypertension. The noise and dirty air given the same risk as overweight a person, body mass index (BMI) which is in the range of 25-30. The researchers note that high blood pressure - one of the most important risk factors for premature illness and death.
This study - the first of its kind, where both studied the effect of dirty air and traffic noise on human health. The researchers found that traffic noise is associated with an increase in the number of hypertensive patients. They also assessed the risks associated with noise, apart from the dirty air.
In total, the study involved 41,072 people from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Spain. It became part of the project ESCAPE (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects), which examines the long-term effects of exposure to polluted air on human health in Europe. In the first phase, volunteers provided information on the state of the pressure. When they joined the study, none of them suffered from high blood pressure. In subsequent years, all the participants were regular surveys. After analyzing the data, the researchers calculated that of all the volunteers in 6207 (15%) diagnosed with hypertension. They appointed medications that lower blood pressure.
In 2008-2011, near the homes of participants adverse conditions have been created artificially. The process is divided into three two-week period, taking into account seasonal effects. The researchers modeled the concentration of contaminants - particulate matter (TM). Such particles can be of different sizes. For example, PM10 - particles is less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter. Similarly PM2.5 (less than or equal 2,5mkm). There are coarse PM (PM10 minus PM2.5) and PM 2.5 optical density (soot particles). All of them were used in this experiment. The solids were analyzed in 20 sections of each country. Even in 40 different areas with land-use regression, the concentration of nitric oxide. As regards traffic noise, the density of an automobile stream and hum created near the homes of participants under the rules established by the EU Directive.
The researchers found that in areas where the concentration of PM2.5 5mkg / m3, the risk of hypertension increased by 22% compared to the cleaner areas. Higher concentrations increase the likelihood of the disease even more. The inhabitants of the houses, where the average level of noise on the street at night is 50 dB, the risk of cardiovascular disease increased by 6%. For comparison, conversation varies from 45 to 60 dB, depending on the volume of voice and noise intensive traffic often does not exceed 80 decibels. From this we can conclude that the potential exposure to cardiovascular disease is, even where the noise level does not exceed the limit established by the EU Directive.
This is a very important aspect, since the current legislation does not protect the European population from the adverse effects of traffic noise. Scientists believe that the results of the study are important for public health and require more stringent restrictive regulations.
It is known that when a person is doing something, prolonged exposure to noise reduces the concentration and increases the likelihood of errors. In addition, noise may interfere with the metabolism, affects the nervous system, cause ulcers and other diseases. Too loud noise (over 100 dB) leads to rupture of the tympanic membrane. As a result of the hearing, or greatly reduced, or deafness occurs.
According to the study, "leaders" in the transport noise and car traffic density areas were Sweden and Spain. The highest average level of pollution is observed in the Central and Southern Europe - Germany and Spain. In Norway, Sweden and Denmark on the streets quiet.
Professor of environmental epidemiology at the University of Düsseldorf, Barbara Hoffman, who conducted the analysis confirmed that prolonged exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with increased incidence of hypertension. And since almost all of us throughout life are at risk affected by dirty air, make the risk of health problems is large enough.
There is a possibility that dirty air and noise have different effects on the normal functioning of the body, or only partially coincide. Possible biological consequences of the negative impact of dirty air on the functioning of the vessels of the heart and blood vessels include local and systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and disorders of the nervous system.
Yes, reminds me of the movie "noise" true story of how the sounds of a city can are a form of harassment and in many cases could be prevented.
good post upped
Good point @solarguy! Noise can be prevented! The main responsible agency to prevent traffic noise is the City Administration and the Federal Administration. So, it is local responsibility and national responsibility. However, corruption lobbying and the deterioration of governance morals prevent them from acting on the issue. They will act on the privileged basis if the issue of noise is affecting them directly. Ex. If the President or Governor or someone of importance visits a town, they will manage and re-direct traffic so they will not be bothered. We are living now in 2016 under a Republican and Democrat's corruption, not only on the noise issue but in many parts of the government. It is time for the people to act!
I had read a study recently that said people that experience daily noise pollution (like living next to a busy street) have on average higher blood pressure then those who do not experience the noise. I don't remember it being a European study, so I think it was different from the ones you site. Nevertheless this is quite interesting, and makes me wonder exactly what is the biological mechanism behind it. Why does excess noise lead to higher blood pressure?
People that does the action (produce the noise) does not get affected as much as the ones that receive the action. One of the greatest and healthy parts of a person is their ability to feel empathy, compassion. According to studies, individuals that lack empathy possesses a mental illness. For the body of a person to renew their energy and be healthy, one needs to have the resting quiet time or deep sleep time. Now, imagine yourself if you cannot sleep well. Imagine being provoked to pay attention to something all the time or time to time. You are not able to rest, so your body does not produce the hormones, vitamins, and minerals that it needs. That escalates to many health factors being one of these high blood pressure!
When I lived in the belly of Istanbul (population "insane") for two years not only did my silver jewelry tarnish at an alarming rate but I was always on edge from the noise and traffic. I'd never experienced anything like it before. I'd be curious to go back and see how off the chart my blood pressure was. I just remember being very easily irritated all the time. I did pick up a few good life hacks though: EAR PLUGS are the gods' gift to humanity.
Thanks for posting this article Mike! I live in an area in San Francisco that is very polluted. I can relate to every word in this post. Many people have no idea how corrupted the City of San Francisco are. Many people from all over the world see beautiful pictures of San Francisco but a picture cannot show the reality of a place when the issue are micro-particles, acoustics, and noise. Unfortunately, our Public Transportation is acoustically corrupted since 1999. Our traffic is constantly taken by vehicles with altered exhaust. It wouldn't be if we did not have a corrupted public, a corrupted media and government that supports those that pollute. ...and yes! The pollution does affect our health and well-being! I would sue this corrupted City if I have the money but even our Justice are unquestionable in this area.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. I was more fortunate. I live in a small town in Russia, which is that one of the ten most environmentally friendly cities in Russia. But in spite of this, 55 km away from me, there is a city where produce chemical products, and the air is very polluted.