Introduction: Emerging research suggests that noise impacts
human health beyond simply the auditory system. There have been recent amendments
to acceptable noise level thresholds within the occupational setting and new
European Union directives for noise in the community from air and road sources.
The purpose of this review will be to assess the relationship between noise and
cardiovascular disease in different settings. Methods: A literature review was
conducted using PubMed on noise and more cardiovascular disease endpoints. All
studies published in the English language between 2000-present were included.
Studies on noise annoyance were excluded. Results: There is a strong positive association
between occupational noise exposure and cardiovascular outcomes. There is a
moderate association with noise in the
community setting from road sourcesand
a weak association with aircraft noise. The strength of the association
across settings is dependent on the outcome type, interaction with age and sex
of subjects, and time of measurement. Road source noise had the strongest
association with myocardial infarction, notably in women during night
exposures. The association with hypertension and road noise, when stratified by
sex, was significant in men during night-time exposures and in pregnant older
women. Only nighttime aircraft noise was associated with statistically significant
findings in adults. All sources of noise demonstrate a dose response
relationship, which peaks at different noise thresholds. Occupational noise exposure
had the strongest association with noise > 85 dB (A) and duration of
exposure. Conclusion: There is sufficient evidence to warrant the precautionary
public health principle to reduce noise at the population levels for industry workers
through stronger legislation, regular compliance inspections, and health
promotion. Where population wide noise legislation has not yet been enacted,
noise exposure reduction at the individual level may be beneficial.
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