Traffic noise emissions and myocardial infarction risk

Abstract

We examined the possible association between road traffic noise in residential areas and myocardial infarction (MI) incidence. We conducted an ecological study among 25-64-year-old men in the general population of Kaunas city. The study comprised all first time MI cases among stable residents of Kaunas treated in hospitals in 1999-2001 (518). We measured traffic-related noise levels at the 117 electoral districts and linked these levels to residential addresses using Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques. In daytime period (10-12 hr, 10 min.) traffic-related noise emission fluctuated between 58 dB (A) to 82 dB (A) and about 18% of citizens were exposed to noise level exceeding 65 dB (A) in their residential district. The age-adjusted MI incidence per 1,000 increased by increasing noise exposure. In the total group of 25-64 years old men the incidence tended to increase from 2.07 in the 1st (lowest) exposure area to 2.57 in the 4th (highest) exposure area (Risk ratio (RR) 1.33;95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-2.32). In the subgroup of 55-64 years old men, the risk ratio increased by 92% (RR =1.92;95% CI 1.00-3.67). Our results indicate a relationship between traffic noise exposure and MI incidence among 55-64-year-old men.