Khaberni - A recent study published in the specialized journal "Cardiovascular Research" revealed that street noise - even if within a moderate range - can have a noticeable impact on the heart and circulatory system after just one night of exposure.
The study, led by Thomas Munzel from the University Medical Center in Mainz, Germany, observed effects including increased heart rate and decreased vascular flexibility.
The researchers simulated different scenarios for 74 participants aged between 18 and 60 inside their own bedrooms: nights without additional noise, and nights during which street noise was played through speakers 30 or 60 times, each time lasting one minute and 15 seconds. The sound intensity ranged between 41 and 44 decibels, equivalent to a quiet conversation. The participants did not know in advance whether they would be exposed to noise or the level of noise during any given night. The next morning, cardiovascular and blood indicators were measured, including searches for inflammatory proteins.
And the next morning, cardiovascular and blood indicators were measured, and samples were tested for inflammatory proteins. Additionally, the flexibility and contraction of blood vessels with each heartbeat were measured using ultrasound.
The results showed that participants responded to noise in varying degrees. Generally, after one night of street noise exposure, functional and biological changes were recorded, according to the research team.
These changes included increased heart rate, changes in proteins, and reduced vascular flexibility, which in particular is an early warning regarding vascular health.
The German Federal Environment Agency describes traffic as the main source of noise in Germany, referring to data collected several years ago. According to the data, 2.3 million people across Germany are exposed during the day to noise levels exceeding 65 decibels, while 2.6 million people are exposed at night to levels exceeding 55 decibels.
In light of the study’s results, the researchers called for stringent noise protection measures. These measures could include zones with a vehicle speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour, and green spaces that act as sound barriers.
Team leader, Munzel, said: "Every reduction by a decibel means less stress on the vessels, less inflammation in the blood - and in the long term fewer heart attacks and strokes."
However, epidemiological studies indicate that noise pollution can harm the cardiovascular system, and thus, noise protection measures are indeed beneficial.
