Health risks of noise

THE hidden dangers of noise pollution have been increasingly emphasised by recent studies. For example, a study published in the European Journal of Public Health in August 2023 delves into the adverse health outcomes associated with environmental noise, highlighting that exposure can lead to severe conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health impacts.

Further insights come from a January 2022 report in Environmental International, which underlines the cognitive toll of noise pollution. It demonstrates how such environmental disturbance can impair cognitive abilities in older adults and detrimentally affect children's reading and language development. The widespread repercussions of these findings are indeed concerning.

Moreover, research presented by the American College of Cardiology in March 2022 establishes a disturbing connection between noise pollution from traffic, trains, and planes and an increased risk of heart attacks. These findings underscore noise pollution as not merely an annoyance but a significant public health hazard. These collective studies reinforce the urgent need for heightened awareness and action against noise pollution, particularly from vehicles, to mitigate its substantial health risks.