Living In Neighborhood With Noisy Road Traffic May Reduce Life Expectancy, Boost Stroke Risk

AFP (6/24) reports, “Living in a neighbourhood with noisy road traffic may reduce life expectancy and boost the risk of stroke,” according to a study published in the European Heart Journal. After comparing “noise levels and data for deaths and hospital admissions across London,” researchers found that “in places where daytime road traffic noise exceeded 60 decibels, there were four percent more deaths than in quieter areas where the noise was 55 decibels or below.”

        Newsweek (6/24, Capon) reports, “The deaths are most likely connected to cardiovascular disease, which could be due to increased blood pressure, sleep problems and stress as a result from high traffic noise levels.” HealthDay (6/24, Dallas) and the Telegraph (UK)(6/24, Knapton) also cover the story.