Chronic noise can lead to depression

Traffic noise harms less than previously suspected
Those who are constantly exposed to loud traffic noise could be at an increased risk for depression and heart failure. This is the conclusion of the study "NORAH" (Noise-Related Annoyance, Cognition and Health) commissioned by Gemeinnützige Umwelthaus GmbH. On the other hand, the noise has no effect on the blood pressure - therefore the overall health risks are less high than previously thought.

Mental consequences of the noise received so far only little attention
Whether airplanes, cars or trains: traffic noise represents the most significant environmental impact in the living environment and can lead to a significant impairment of well-being. For nearly five years, scientists investigated the health consequences of aviation, road and rail noise in the Rhine-Main, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart regions and came to some interesting conclusions. Because they were able to show, among other things, psychological consequences of harassment, which has received little attention so far.

Noise favors mental disorders such as depression. Picture: SENTELLO - fotolia

Accordingly, it was found that there was an increased risk of depression, especially in the people who experience a constant noise effect by aircraft, according to a recent press release of Gemeinnützigen Umwelthaus GmbH. The 100% subsidiary of the state of Hesse and one of three pillars of the Forum Airport and Region (FFR) had commissioned the study.

Aircraft noise more disturbing than noise by trains or cars
However, the scientists were unable to demonstrate an increase in blood pressure due to long-lasting aircraft noise. In general, however, it has become apparent that people in the area of ​​the airports investigated feel strongly harassed - sometimes even more so than in previous studies. In addition, the researchers were able to show that aircraft noise is perceived as a greater disruptive factor than road or rail noise. The attitude towards the polluter also seems to play a role: For those who are critical of air traffic, sleep worse than aviation advocates. The introduction of the ban on night flights at Frankfurt Airport in 2011 had a positive effect on the course of sleep, as residents have been able to sleep better ever since.

But not only the aircraft noise makes man to create. Instead, the study has e.g. showed a connection between permanent rail noise and the occurrence of cardiac insufficiency. "Traffic noise as a whole represents a relevant topic, so noise protection must also receive appropriate attention in road and rail traffic", says Johann-Dietrich Wörner, board member of the Frankfurt Forum Airport and Region (FFR).

Children learn to read slower at aircraft noise
In another sub-study, the scientists looked at the mental development of primary school children, their reading performance and their overall quality of life under the influence of noise. It turned out that children learned to read slower with constant noise pollution from airplanes. Second-graders in elementary schools around Frankfurt Airport, for example, needed at least a month longer than peers in other facilities.

So far the most extensive study on the effects of traffic noise
The researchers had examined in various sub-studies, among other things, the quality of life, the sleep process, the incidence of diseases and the change in blood pressure in noise areas. The exposure to flight, road and rail noise in the Frankfurt area was calculated for 900,000 buildings, and the NORAH acousticians collected noise data from 2,500 residents each at Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports. On the subject of "quality of life" 29,000 airport residents were interviewed, as the basis for the sub-study on health risks served health insurance data of about one million people in the Rhine -Main region. 200 or 844 people participated in the sleep and blood pressure study.

This makes NORAH internationally the most comprehensive study to date on the effects of traffic noise on health and quality of life, emphasizes Gemeinnützige Umwelthaus GmbH. "NORAH is a milestone in noise impact research. Many relationships have never before been examined in terms of width and depth, "says Johann-Dietrich Wörner. (No)