The noise generated by road traffic increases the risk of stroke and death among residents, according to a large British study.
Living near a very noisy highway reduces life expectancy, according to a British study published this Wednesday in the journal European Heart Journal. This shows that exposure to noise slightly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular accidents (stroke), especially in the elderly.
To establish this link between road traffic and an increased risk of mortality, the researchers studied more than 8 million Londoners living in greater London between 2003 and 2010. They assessed in particular the noise level in the morning between 7 and 11 a.m. , and at night from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The elderly are the most affected
Observations show that noise exceeding 60 decibels during the day, the equivalent of a noisy classroom or department store, increases the risk of death by 4% compared to noise around 55 decibels (a machine to wash).
The study also indicates that adults living in very noisy areas during the day were more often admitted to hospital for stroke (5%), an even greater risk in the elderly (9%). On the other hand, the effect of noise at night seems to affect only the health of seniors.
Reduce noise to live better
“Road traffic has long been known to be associated with sleep disturbances and high blood pressure, but our study is the first in the UK to show a link with cardiovascular disease,” says Dr Jaana Halonen of London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and responsible for this work. This is the largest study to date, having observed all people in the same neighborhood for 7 years. Our results confirm that reducing traffic noise can benefit our health. “
Last January, Why actor relayed a study showing that lowering the maximum speed on the Paris ring road to 70 km / h made it possible to reduce noise pollution, thus improving the quality of life of residents.
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