scholarly journals Traffic noise exposure depresses plasma corticosterone and delays offspring growth in breeding zebra finches

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Anne Zollinger ◽  
Adriana Dorado-Correa ◽  
Wolfgang Goymann ◽  
Wolfgang Forstmeier ◽  
Ulrich Knief ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
World Health ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Offspring Growth ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The impact of human activity on the acoustic environment is overwhelming, with anthropogenic noise reaching even remote areas of the planet. The World Health Organization has identified noise pollution as one of the leading environmental health risks in humans, and it has been linked to a myriad of short- and long-term health effects in exposed individuals. However, less is known about the health effects of anthropogenic noise exposure on animals. We investigated long- and short-term effects of traffic noise on zebra finches breeding in small communal aviaries, using a repeated measures design. Birds bred in both noise and no-noise conditions, and we measured baseline plasma glucocorticoid levels before, during and after breeding. In addition, we assayed immune function, measured reproductive success and offspring growth and compared rates of extra-pair paternity of breeding adults. Breeding birds had significantly lower baseline plasma corticosterone levels when exposed to traffic noise than when they were not exposed to noise playback. In addition, the nestlings reared during noise exposure were lighter than nestlings of the same parents when breeding in control conditions. Our results suggest that traffic noise poses a more severe hurdle to birds at more vulnerable stages of their life history, such as during reproductive events and ontogeny. While chronic exposure to traffic noise in our birds did not, by itself, prove to be a sufficient stressor to cause acute effects on health or reproductive success in exposed individuals, it did result in disruptions to normal glucocorticoid profiles and delayed offspring growth. However, animals living in urban habitats are exposed to a multitude of anthropogenic disturbances, and it is likely that even species that appear to be thriving in noisy environments may suffer cumulative effects of these multiple disturbances that may together impact their fitness in urban environments.

scholarly journals Traffic noise exposure affects telomere length in nestling house sparrows

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 20150559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alizée Meillère ◽  
François Brischoux ◽  
Cécile Ribout ◽  
Frédéric Angelier
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Fledging Success ◽  
The Impact

In a consistently urbanizing world, anthropogenic noise has become almost omnipresent, and there are increasing evidence that high noise levels can have major impacts on wildlife. While the effects of anthropogenic noise exposure on adult animals have been widely studied, surprisingly, there has been little consideration of the effects of noise pollution on developing organisms. Yet, environmental conditions experienced in early life can have dramatic lifelong consequences for fitness. Here, we experimentally manipulated the acoustic environment of free-living house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) breeding in nest boxes. We focused on the impact of such disturbance on nestlings’ telomere length and fledging success, as telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes) appear to be a promising predictor of longevity. We showed that despite the absence of any obvious immediate consequences (growth and fledging success), nestlings reared under traffic noise exposure exhibited reduced telomere lengths compared with their unexposed neighbours. Although the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain to be determined, our results provide the first experimental evidence that noise alone can affect a wild vertebrate's early-life telomere length. This suggests that noise exposure may entail important costs for developing organisms.

scholarly journals Environmental Noise-Induced Effects on Stress Hormones, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Dysfunction: Key Factors in the Relationship between Cerebrocardiovascular and Psychological Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Hahad ◽  
Jürgen H. Prochaska ◽  
Andreas Daiber ◽  
Thomas Münzel
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
World Health ◽  
Stress Hormone ◽  
Hormone Levels ◽  
The Relationship

The role of noise as an environmental pollutant and its adverse effects on health are being increasingly recognized. Beyond its direct effects on the auditory system (e.g., hearing loss and tinnitus induced by exposure to high levels of noise), chronic low-level noise exposure causes mental stress associated with known cardiovascular complications. According to recent estimates of the World Health Organization, exposure to traffic noise is responsible for a loss of more than 1.5 million healthy life years per year in Western Europe alone, a major part being related to annoyance, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. Underlying mechanisms of noise-induced mental stress are centered on increased stress hormone levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, which in turn favor the development of cerebrocardiovascular disease such as stroke, arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, traffic noise exposure is also associated with mental health symptoms and psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety, which further increase maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., alcohol and tobacco use). From a molecular point of view, experimental studies suggest that traffic noise exposure can increase stress hormone levels, thereby triggering inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways by activation of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, uncoupling of endothelial/neuronal nitric oxide synthase inducing endothelial and neuronal dysfunction. This review elucidates the mechanisms underlying the relationship between noise exposure and cerebrocardiovascular and psychological disorders, focusing on mental stress signaling pathways including activation of the autonomous nervous system and endocrine signaling and its association with inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction.

scholarly journals Sleep Disturbance and Noise Annoyance and Environmental Noise Exposure in Residents of Two Major Slovakian Cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Argalasova ◽  
T. Kimakova ◽  
E. Panulinova ◽  
A. Filova ◽  
A. Pultznerova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Noise Annoyance ◽  
Exposure Category ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lower Noise

Abstract The significant growth in traffic density in Slovakia, combined with the country’s economic change, has resulted in new environmental noise issues, particularly in road traffic noise. The objective of this study was to assess and evaluate the impact of environmental noise on the psychosocial well-being of young healthy individuals in the two main Slovak cities of Bratislava and Kosice. To assess noise annoyance, interference with activities, and sleep disturbance, the ICBEN (The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Noise) anonymous validated “Noise annoyance questionnaire” was applied; noise levels were objectified by direct measurements using a sound level analyzer with a frequency analysis module. Young individuals between the ages of 20 and 30 were interviewed in Bratislava (533 respondents, 155 males) and Kosice (355 respondents, 111 males). The majority of the respondents in both cities were exposed to medium levels of road traffic noise LAeq ≥ 60 dB. In Bratislava, 27.82 % of respondents resided in the higher noise exposure category LAeq ≥ 70 dB, while in Kosice, 39.9 % resided in the lower noise exposure category LAeq < 50 dB. Road traffic noise annoys respondents in the higher noise exposure category in Bratislava 63.51 %, and even in the lower noise exposure category in Kosice, it interferes with reading and mental work, sleep and falling asleep 46.51 %. The study has identified traffic noise as an environmental issue in large cities, emphasizing the need for vulnerable individuals to be protected, particularly at night.

scholarly journals Assessment of Traffic Noise Pollution Due to Urban Residential Road Transport

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-52
Author(s):  
Elena Lezhneva ◽  
Katerina Vakulenko ◽  
Andrii Galkin
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
National Income ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Noise Emission ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The problem of combating urban noise is closely linked to the rational transformation of the urban environment, which must go through the elimination or reduction of the number of sources of noise, the localization of the noise emission zone, reducing the level of sound sources and protection against noise for the residential areas. Theoretical and experimental studies of acoustic loading on the territory along the highway for the typical section of the urban territory have been conducted. To estimate the complex noise impact from all sources and from individual sources, as well as to predict the total noise exposure for this site, a noise map was constructed using software. As a measure to combat traffic noise in the territory along the highway, the location of the noise protection screen was justified, taking into account the loss of part of the national income as a result of the continuous impact of noise on a person.The results of the research allow to assess the degree of technogenic impact of noise pollution during the operation of the highway, which allows regulating, by administrative and legislative methods, the nature of the impact on natural objects and human health of certain types of activities, as well as reasonably proposing measures that ensure environmental safety when organizing urban streets traffic.

scholarly journals The Impact of Thin Asphalt Layers as a Road Traffic Noise Intervention in an Urban Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12561
Author(s):  
Ablenya Grangeiro de Barros ◽  
Jarl K. Kampen ◽  
Cedric Vuye
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Acoustic Measurements ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
The Impact

Low-noise thin asphalt layers (TALs) are a feasible solution to mitigate road traffic noise in urban environments. Nevertheless, the impacts of this type of noise intervention are reported mostly regarding noise levels, while non-acoustic aspects influencing the population perception are still little-known. This study investigates the implementation of TALs in two streets of Antwerp, Belgium. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured via noise modelling and acoustic measurements of road traffic noise. A reduction of 2.8 dB in noise exposure was observed in Lden and Lnight, while SPB measurements showed decreases up to 5.2 dB on the roadside. The subjective impacts of the TALs were evaluated via self-administered surveys and compared to results from control streets. The annoyance indicators were positively impacted by the TALs implementation, resulting in annoyance levels similar or lower than in the control streets. The TALs did not impact the reported physical complaints, sleep quality, and comfort level to perform activities.

scholarly journals Burden of Sleep Disturbance Due to Traffic Noise in Bulgaria

Folia Medica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 264-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel M. Dzhambov ◽  
Donka D. Dimitrova ◽  
Vanina K. Mihaylova-Alakidi
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
World Health ◽  
Life Years

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance is a risk factor for somatic, psycho-social and spiritual dysfunction. It is also arguably the most deleterious effect of traffic noise pollution. Quantification of its burden is an anchor element of environmental policy making but no data are currently available for Bulgaria where the preponderance of dangerous nighttime noise exposure is highest in Europe. AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify the socio-economic burden of severe sleep disturbance due to traffic noise (road, aircraft and railway) in Bulgaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The official World Health Organization methodology used in Europe was applied in order to estimate this annual loss expressed as disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and their corresponding monetary value (assuming € 12 000 per DALY). RESULTS: Results showed that severe sleep disturbance due to all traffic sources was associated conservatively with 15 468 DALYs (8 839 - 22 097) and € 185 615 861 (€ 106 066 206 - € 265 165 516) lost in 2012, with road traffic being the single most important noise source. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, severe sleep disturbance due to traffic noise bears a heavy environmental and socio-economic burden in Bulgaria which prompts vigorous political action and greater involvement in environmental research. In order to increase the accuracy of future burden of disease analyses other studies would need to establish exposure-response functions based on population-based socio-acoustic surveys in the country.

scholarly journals Auditory and non-auditory health effects of noise exposure among people working near traffic junctions in Mysuru city, Karnataka

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1427
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar D. ◽  
Jose Jom Thomas ◽  
Prakash B. ◽  
Narayana Murthy M. R. ◽  
Sulochanadevi B. Chakrashali
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Occupationally Exposed ◽  
Level Meter ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The City

Background: To assess the prevalence of health effects of noise exposure and the factors associated with it among people occupationally exposed to traffic noise in Mysuru city in Karnataka.Methods: A community based crossectional study was conducted for two months in Mysuru city in Karnataka. The sample size was calculated to be 280 and study participants were recruited from 70 selected locations in the city including all major traffic junctions with signal or traffic police control, covering all regions in the city. Four samples were assessed from each location by history taking and the ambient sound level was recorded from each location using a sound level meter. Data were entered in microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS version 22.Results: The prevalence of hearing loss among the study participants was 5.7% and 1.8% of people complained of tinnitus. Among the study participants, 8.9% had hypertension, 1.1% had cardiovascular disorders, 8.2% had sleeplessness, 6.4% had anxiety, 2.9% had irritability, and 5.7% reported a reduction working efficiency. The proportion of study participants with at least one health effect noise exposure was 26.07%. Only age group was significantly associated with the development of health effects among the exposed individuals.Conclusions: An alarming proportion of people working near traffic areas in Mysuru city are exposed to higher levels of noise and more than 25% of them show symptoms of auditory and/ or non-auditory health effects of noise pollution.

scholarly journals Bats adjust temporal features of echolocation calls but not those of communication calls in response to traffic noise

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjing Song ◽  
Aiqing Lin ◽  
Tinglei Jiang ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Walter Metzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Acoustic Signals ◽  
Vocal Response ◽  
Auditory Masking ◽  
Temporal Features ◽  
Acoustic Masking ◽  
Communication Calls ◽  
Call Sequence ◽  
The Impact

Summary statementThis study reveals the impact of anthropogenic noise on spectrally distinct vocalizations and the limitations of the acoustic masking hypothesis to explain the vocal response of bats to chronic noise.AbstractThe acoustic masking hypothesis states that auditory masking may occur if the target sound and interfering sounds overlap spectrally, and it suggests that animals exposed to noise will modify their acoustic signals to increase signal detectability. However, it is unclear if animals will put more effort into changing their signals that spectrally overlap more with the interfering sounds than when the signals overlap less. We examined the dynamic changes in the temporal features of echolocation and communication vocalizations of the Asian particolored bat (Vespertilio sinensis) when exposed to traffic noise. We hypothesized that traffic noise has a greater impact on communication vocalizations than on echolocation vocalizations and predicted that communication vocalization change would be greater than echolocation. The bats started to adjust echolocation vocalizations on the fourth day of noise exposure, including an increased number of call sequences, decreased number of calls, and vocal rate within a call sequence. However, there was little change in the duration of the call sequence. In contrast, these communication vocalization features were not significantly adjusted under noise conditions. These findings suggest that the degree of spectral overlap between noise and animal acoustic signals does not predict the level of temporal vocal response to the noise.

scholarly journals Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Depression/Anxiety: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 4134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel M. Dzhambov ◽  
Peter Lercher
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Cross Sectional

Unlike other World Health Organization evidence reviews, the systematic review on mental disorders could not provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of environmental noise. With that in mind, we aimed to update it with additional studies published through to 18 August 2019 in order to allow for a formal meta-analysis of the association of residential road traffic noise with anxiety and depression. The quality effects and random effects estimators were used for meta-analysis and the robustness of findings was tested in several sensitivity analyses. Ten studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which we extracted 15 estimates for depression (n = 1,201,168) and five for anxiety (n = 372,079). Almost all studies were cross-sectional and the risk of bias in them was generally high. We found 4% (95% CI: −3%, 11%) higher odds of depression and 12% (95% CI: −4%, 30%) of anxiety associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day–evening–night noise level (Lden). Both models suffered from moderate heterogeneity (55% and 54%), but there was evidence of publication bias only in the depression model. These findings were robust with no evidence of study-level moderators. A sensitivity analysis on an alternative set of categorically-reported estimates supported a linear relationship between Lden and depression. Taking into account an overall quality assessment for the included studies, we conclude that there is evidence of “very low” quality that increasing exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with depression and anxiety.

scholarly journals Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Traffic Noise with a Focus on Nighttime Noise and the New WHO Noise Guidelines

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 309-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Münzel ◽  
Swenja Kröller-Schön ◽  
Matthias Oelze ◽  
Tommaso Gori ◽  
Frank P. Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
World Health ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes

Exposure to traffic noise is associated with stress and sleep disturbances. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently concluded that road traffic noise increases the risk for ischemic heart disease and potentially other cardiometabolic diseases, including stroke, obesity, and diabetes. The WHO report focused on whole-day noise exposure, but new epidemiological and translational field noise studies indicate that nighttime noise, in particular,is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) through increased levels of stress hormones and vascular oxidative stress, leading to endothelial dysfunction and subsequent development of various CVDs. Novel experimental studies found noise to be associated with oxidative stress–induced vascular and brain damage, mediated by activation of the NADPH oxidase, uncoupling of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and vascular/brain infiltration with inflammatory cells. Noise-induced pathophysiology was more pronounced in response to nighttime as compared with daytime noise. This review focuses on the consequences of nighttime noise.

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